E-3 Visa: A Unique Opportunity for Australian Professionals
If you’re an Australian citizen with specialized skills and a U.S. job offer, the E-3 visa offers a fast, flexible pathway to live and work in the United States.
We help qualified Australians take full advantage of this exclusive visa category—ensuring that every step of the process is handled with precision, speed, and clarity.
What Is the E-3 Visa?
The E-3 visa is a nonimmigrant work visa available only to Australian nationals. It allows professionals to work in the U.S. temporarily in what’s known as a specialty occupation—positions that require specific knowledge and at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
Each year, 10,500 E-3 visas are made available, making it one of the few employment visa categories that is both underused and relatively accessible for eligible applicants.
Who Qualifies for the E-3 Visa?
To be eligible, you must:
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Be a citizen of Australia
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Have a legitimate job offer from a U.S. employer in a specialty occupation
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Possess at least a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) relevant to the job
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Have your foreign degree evaluated if it was not issued by a U.S. institution
Your employer must also meet certain requirements, including filing a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor.
E-3 Visa Benefits
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Initial stay of up to 2 years, with unlimited renewals as long as you maintain eligibility
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Spouses and children under 21 can accompany you—and your spouse can apply for work authorization
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Premium processing available for faster approval (within 15 days in many cases)
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A clear route to permanent residency (Green Card) through employment-based categories like EB-3
This makes the E-3 an attractive choice for professionals looking to work in the U.S. without the long wait times and lottery systems that apply to other visas like the H-1B.
How to Apply
The E-3 visa process includes:
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Securing a job offer from a U.S. employer in a qualifying specialty occupation
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Having your employer file a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor
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Collecting supporting documents, including:
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Your degree(s) and academic transcripts
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Proof of Australian citizenship (passport, birth certificate)
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A formal offer letter from the U.S. employer
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Filing Form I-129 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
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Optionally choosing premium processing to expedite approval
Considering Permanent Residency?
Although the E-3 is a temporary visa, many E-3 holders later apply for a Green Card through employment-based immigrant petitions like EB-3. Our legal team can help you explore your long-term options while maintaining your E-3 status.