There are three main categories for permanent US residence: employment-based immigration, family immigration, and the lottery. According to the video’s assessment, employment-based immigration across five EB categories remains the most realistic path, while family migration requires too long a wait, and the lottery’s outcome is hard to predict. For temporary visits, there are many nonimmigrant categories, some of which are very specific.

Three paths to permanent residence

Immigration to the US for permanent residence is divided into three main categories: employment-based immigration, family immigration, and the lottery. Family immigration takes a very long time, so it’s usually not considered a primary option. The more distant the relative, the longer the wait. The lottery, according to the author, doesn’t look like a reliable choice due to the unpredictability of its results, but an application for it can be filed in parallel with the main one, and this doesn’t violate the main application.

EB categories: from EB-1 to EB-5

Employment-based immigration includes the EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4, and EB-5 categories. EB-1 and EB-2 are called the most predictable, while EB-5 requires investments starting from a million dollars.

EB-4 is intended for religious workers, and there are two separate categories for them, both within and outside the green card framework.

EB-3 is divided into skilled and unskilled workers. Unskilled workers are those who don’t require education or experience, for example employees working in a fast-food kitchen; getting a green card through this category is called a matter requiring patience. Skilled positions require education and work experience, and the employer hires the employee through the labor certification procedure. In most cases it isn’t fast, since the employer must prove they haven’t found a suitable employee in the US. Only after that can a green card application be filed.

EB-2 includes the NIW subcategory, national interest waiver: it’s granted to specialists whose project has important social, technical, or commercial significance, or solves a major problem for the US.

EB-1: talent, professors, and managers

The EB-1 categories are called the most in-demand and predictable. EB-1A is for talent, EB-1B for professors and researchers, EB-1C for international managers.

For EB-1C, there’s a path where an employee worked abroad for a company that has a US presence and an office outside the country, and is transferred from the foreign office to the American one. Many apply first in the talent category, but EB-1C is also called quite a realistic option given an employer and work experience at the company.

Nonimmigrant visas: L-1, O-1, E-2, and H-1B

Among nonimmigrant categories, the most practical options are named. L-1 suits those opening a branch of their company in the US, or those transferred from a company’s foreign office to the American one. O-1 is similar to EB-1, but the entry bar is significantly lower; in the author’s assessment, it’s currently the most suitable and in-demand category of all.

The E-2 visa is only available to citizens of countries that have a trade treaty with the US. Russia is not such a party, so for the investment path EB-5 is indicated there instead.

H-1B works through an employer, but its situation is currently uncertain: first the visa fee was cancelled, then a proposal appeared in the federal register for a $102,000 fee for this category. There’s no final decision on it in the material.

A line outside a US consulate building on a hot day: people with folders waiting by the fence

What to choose now

Among nonimmigrant categories, O-1 is named as the most correct choice. Among immigration categories, if a predictable outcome is needed, EB-1A is named. The other categories have their own conditions and may also suit, but before filing it’s recommended to consult immigration lawyers who know the specifics of these categories now. According to the author, the rules for reviewing applications have changed, and up-to-date information is necessary. It’s also said that promises of simple and fast status approval should now be treated with caution.