Use this page to compare U.S. visa and green card options side by side. For most skilled professionals, our EB-2 NIW guide is the best place to start.
Key takeaways
- Green cards give permanent residence; temporary visas don't.
- EB-2 NIW, EB-1A and EB-5 need no job offer.
- H-1B needs an employer and a lottery; O-1 needs a U.S. petitioner but no lottery.
- E-1/E-2 require citizenship of a treaty country, which includes Pakistan.
How do U.S. visa categories compare?
The biggest differences are whether the category leads to a green card, whether it needs an employer, and who it is designed for.
| Category | Type | Employer needed? | Typical applicant |
|---|---|---|---|
| EB-2 NIW | Green card | No | Advanced-degree professionals |
| EB-1A | Green card | No | Top-of-field experts |
| EB-2/EB-3 PERM | Green card | Yes | Workers with a U.S. employer |
| EB-5 | Green card | No | Investors |
| E-2 | Temporary | No | Treaty-country investors |
| E-1 | Temporary | No | Treaty-country traders |
| L-1A | Temporary | Yes (related company) | Managers and executives |
| H-1B | Temporary | Yes | Degree-level professionals |
| O-1 | Temporary | Yes (employer or agent) | Extraordinary ability |
| F-1 | Temporary | No (school) | Students |
| J-1 | Temporary | No (sponsor program) | Exchange visitors |
| B-1/B-2 | Temporary | No | Business and tourist visitors |
| Family-based | Green card | No (relative) | Relatives of U.S. citizens and residents |
Which visa fits me? Three quick questions
Answer these three questions to narrow your options, then confirm with a free assessment.
Do you want permanent residence?
Yes: look at EB-2 NIW, EB-1A, EB-5, PERM or family. No: consider E-2, L-1A, H-1B, O-1, F-1 or J-1.
Do you have a U.S. employer?
No: EB-2 NIW, EB-1A, EB-5 or E-2. Yes: PERM, H-1B, L-1A or O-1 may also fit.
What is your main asset?
Expertise: NIW or EB-1A. Capital: EB-5 or E-2. Family: family-based. Studies: F-1.
Send your CV and goals. We'll tell you which U.S. options fit you best, starting with EB-2 NIW.
Why do professionals start with EB-2 NIW?
Because it is a green card with no employer, no job offer, no lottery and no investment requirement, and it can be filed from anywhere.
- No employer sponsor or job offer
- No lottery
- No minimum investment
- Permanent residence, not a temporary visa
- Spouse and children included
- File from Pakistan or anywhere
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Official sources
- USCIS: Working in the United States
- U.S. Department of State: U.S. Visas
- U.S. Department of State: Visa Bulletin
Phoenix Immigration Consulting Services LLC is an immigration consulting firm, not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice. Information on this page is general and may change; always confirm current rules on uscis.gov and travel.state.gov. Filing a petition or application does not guarantee approval.
