E-3 Australian
APPLYING FOR AN E-3 VISA
The E-3 visa category applies only to Australian nationals. This category is similar to the H-1B, as it is a specialty occupation visa. The work the E-3 will engage in must require a bachelor’s degree or higher to meet the high level of expertise necessary for the position. This visa is fit for all types of university faculty and staff positions. E-3 visas should be requested for a minimum of two years.
APPLYING FOR AN E-3 VISA
If your department would like to apply for an E-3 for an Australian national:
- Outside the United States.
- In the US in a different visa category.
- Who already holds this visa category at Loyola and would like to extend the end date (and possibly change his/her job specifications), you will apply for an E-3 Extension.
- Who already holds this visa category at Loyola and would like to change the job specifications of their current E-3, you would apply for an Amended E-3.
- Who holds this visa category at another institution and will be transferring to Loyola, you will apply for a Change of Employer E-3.
- Who holds this visa category at another institution and will collaborate with Loyola for a salary or stipend, you will apply for a Concurrent E-3.
Processing Time: Petitions can only be started 6 months prior to the foreign national’s employment start date.
- OIP: Complete applications require 2 weeks processing time.
Processing Flow:
- Department submits request to OIP (E-3 request Forms for Department)
- E-3 employee fills out the (E-3 Request Forms for Worker).
- OIP prepares the PW and LCA
- OIP emails the LCA to the department
- Department posts LCA for 10 days
- Department returns LCA to OIP
- OIP prepares E-3 packet and sends to USCIS for individuals already in the U.S.
- OIP prepares packet for the Australian National who is currently outside the United States to take to US Embassy
Dependents:
- If the Australian national is currently outside the U.S., he/she is not required to complete any additional paperwork for his/her dependents (spouse and children).
- If the Australian national and his/her dependents are currently in the U.S. in another visa category, the Australian national will have to file the I-539 form to change his/her dependents status. This I-539 should be included in this initial E-3 filing.