E-3 Visa for Australian Citizens

What Is An E-3 Visa?

Angela Warren and her team at Warren Law Firm have over 20 years of experience obtaining E visas for those who qualify, like the E-3 visa for Australian citizens. For example:

• Engineers
• Computer Programmers
• Business management professionals

A San Francisco immigration attorney like Angela Warren can be a great advantage for Australians who want to get an E-3 visa to live and work in San Francisco, or for San Francisco companies wishing to get an E-3 visa for one of their potential employees.

The E-3 visa is an employment visa that’s similar to an H-1B visa. Some significant differences between the two are that:

• The application for the E-3 is much faster
• There is no visa limit for E-3 visas, unlike the 65,000 annual visa limit for H-1B visas

Who is Eligible for an E-3 Visa?

The E-3 visa is available to Australian citizens who come to the U.S. to perform a specialty occupation.

The occupation requires the theoretical and practical application of a body of knowledge in professional fields, and at least the attainment of a bachelor’s degree, or its equivalent, as a minimum for entry into the occupation in the United States.

What Documentation and Evidence Do You Need to Apply for an E-3 Visa?

Before a potential employer hires you, they will file a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).

To apply for an E-3 visa, you will need to provide U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) with documentation and evidence that show the nature of your new job opportunity, your work experience, and education. This can include:

• A letter from your potential employer indicating that they’ve offered you a job, the details of your job description, and your salary
• Documents that prove you work in a specialty occupation. This can include your degree(s), professional certifications and licenses, and documents from previous employers that show your work experience

Other documents you’ll need to submit include:

• Proof of your Australian citizenship
• A valid passport
  • You will need to furnish a copy of the biographic page in your passport. Also, be sure that your passport is valid for six months beyond the expiration of your petition.
• DS-160, Nonimmigrant Visa Application (completed online)
  • After you’ve submitted your application online, you need to reach out to your embassy to determine if you need to interview with a consular officer, and when to schedule it, if needed.
• A photo of you that complies with U.S. visa photo requirements (upload this with your DS-160 form)

(You may also need to furnish evidence that you plan to return to Australia after your work contract ends. This can include proof of a property deed, or a lease).

How Long Does an E-3 Visa Last? Can You Renew It?

An E-3 visa may last for up to two years, and when it’s due for renewal it can be extended for two years at a time—indefinitely. That means there’s no limit on how many times you can renew an E-3 visa—as long as you remain eligible, and as long as your ultimate intent is to return to Australia. There are two key actions that must be performed by your employer in order to renew your E-3 visa.

Your employer must:

• Obtain an LCA that has a new validity date
• File Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, with USCIS

The submission and management of these documents and required supporting evidence can become quite complex for a busy employer, and a potential employee. A skilled immigration attorney can guide you throughout the entire process to help ensure that things go smoothly.