For Australians who want to move to the U.S. to live and work, one good option to consider is the E-3 employment visa. This visa is only available to Australian citizens and offers multiple advantages over other types of employment visas.
E-3 visa benefits
The E-3 visa is only available to Australian citizens and their immediate family members and offers the following advantages vs. other types of employment visas:
- Includes the employee’s spouse and children, and the spouse can work without restrictions in the U.S.
- Lower cost than an H-1B visa
- Employees can apply at a U.S. Consulate directly without submitting an I-129 form to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) first
- Quick application processing time of only five to seven days
- High chance of approval because quota is rarely met
- Can switch between employers in the U.S. without leaving the country
- 60-day grace period after involuntary termination
For employers, there is no lottery, so this visa is available year-round. E-3 visas also have unlimited renewals, allowing employers to forge long-lasting relationships with talented Australian employees.
Eligibility and application process
E-3 visas are available to Australian citizens who hold Bachelor’s degrees or who have equivalent experience. It is also available to Australian citizens who have job offers with U.S. employers in specialty occupations. The spouse and children younger than age 21 of an E3 visa holder are also included without having to file applications for derivative visas.
The U.S. employer must provide a copy of Form ETA 9035 to the Australian employee that attests the employer has not been able to find a U.S. person to fill the role. They must also get a copy of the applicant’s proof of qualifications and include a copy of the job posting and the job duties. The applicant can then complete the E-3 visa application online and attend the visa appointment. They will need to make sure their passport is valid for at least six months beyond their intended stay and submit two color passport photographs along with the documents provided by the employer.