E-3 Visa for Australian Professionals
The E-3 is available only to Australian citizens working in a specialty occupation for a U.S. employer. It covers similar ground to the H-1B but with a separate annual allocation of 10,500 visas that has never been exhausted, no lottery, and — unusually — automatic work authorization for the spouse. Status is granted in two-year increments and can be renewed indefinitely.
Get Started TodayEligibility Requirements
✓Requirements
- •Australian citizenship — permanent residents of Australia do not qualify
- •A job offer from a U.S. employer in a specialty occupation
- •A bachelor's degree or higher in a field related to the position, or equivalent experience
- •A certified Labor Condition Application (LCA) filed by your employer with the Department of Labor
- •The employer must pay at least the prevailing wage for the role and location
- •Any state licence the occupation requires
★Benefits
- ✓Annual allocation of 10,500 visas that has never been fully used — effectively no cap pressure
- ✓No lottery, so you can apply at any time of year
- ✓Spouse receives automatic work authorization — a significant advantage over the H-1B
- ✓Granted in 2-year increments with no statutory limit on renewals
- ✓Application is usually made directly at a U.S. consulate, avoiding a USCIS petition
- ✓Faster and cheaper than the H-1B route for those who qualify
The Process
Case preparation
4–6 weeksOnce you engage us, we build your case: we tell you exactly which documents we need, review each one, and assemble the filing package. This stage moves at the pace documents reach us — the sooner we receive what we ask for, the sooner we can file.
Labor Condition Application
1–2 weeksYour employer obtains a prevailing wage determination and files an LCA with the Department of Labor, committing to pay at least that wage and to meet the working-condition requirements. Certification typically takes about seven business days.
Employer support letter and evidence
1–2 weeksWe assemble the offer letter, a description of the position showing it is a specialty occupation, and evidence that your degree relates directly to the role. Where the degree was earned outside the United States we arrange a credential evaluation.
Consular application
2–8 weeks depending on appointment availabilityYou file the DS-160, pay the fee, and attend an interview at a U.S. consulate — most commonly Sydney or Melbourne. E-3 applicants are frequently adjudicated at the interview itself.
Admission and renewal
2 years per admissionYou are admitted for two years. Renewal is either by a further consular application or by filing Form I-129 with USCIS from inside the United States, and there is no cap on the number of renewals.
Processing Details
Timeline
2–8 weeks in total, driven mainly by consular appointment availability. USCIS extensions filed from within the United States take 2–4 months, or 15 business days with premium processing.
Government Fees
Government fees are limited to the consular visa fee for a direct application. Extensions filed with USCIS carry the I-129 petition fee. Premium processing, where used, is $2,805. Attorney fees additional. Fees as of 2025.
Key Documents Required
- •Australian passport establishing citizenship
- •Certified Labor Condition Application (ETA Form 9035)
- •Employer offer letter describing the specialty occupation and salary
- •Degree certificates and transcripts, with a credential evaluation where required
- •Professional licence, where the occupation requires one
- •Completed DS-160 confirmation page
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers to common immigration questions.
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Founder & Immigration Attorney
- •Washington State Bar Association
- •New York State Bar Association
Business Immigration Specialist
- •Licensed Attorney (São Paulo, Brazil)
- •LL.M., Global Business Law
Related Pages
H-1B Visa
Specialty occupation visa for skilled professionals sponsored by a U.S. employer.
O-1 Extraordinary Ability Visa
For those with nationally or internationally recognized achievement — no lottery.
L-1 Intracompany Transfer Visa
Transfer managers and key employees from your global office to the United States.