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E-3 — Australian Specialty Occupation
United StatesUnited States•North America
Open

E-3 — Australian Specialty Occupation

Work Dependents Allowed Remote Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

4 weeks – 4 months

Varies by processing route

Estimated Cost

USD $2,140–$7,285

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

2 years

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

Job offer required

Work

Remote work OK

Official Information Browse E-3 Jobs
United States flag

Living in United States

Cost of Living
Baseline
Avg Salary$52,000
Quality of Life
185/200
Full Country Guide

Overview

Nonimmigrant work visa for Australian citizens in US specialty occupations, with 2-year renewable stays and spouse work authorization.

The E-3 is a US visa for Australian nationals in specialty occupations, created in 2005 under the Australia-US Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA). A streamlined alternative to the H-1B, it covers professional roles needing a bachelor's degree in fields like engineering, sciences, medicine, law, and accounting.

Stays are 2 years per visa, renewable indefinitely. The annual cap is 10,500, rarely reached. The $315 MRV fee applies at consular post; in-US filings use Form I-129. Spouses and unmarried children under 21 join on E-3D status with work authorization. No PR pathway, no dual intent.

This visa is ideal for Australian professionals with a secured US specialty job offer who want faster, lottery-free processing and indefinite 2-year renewals.

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Cost Breakdown

DS-160 MRV FeeUSD $315
I-129 Standard Employer FeeUSD $1,015
I-129 Small Employer & Nonprofit FeeUSD $510
Asylum Program Fee (Standard)USD $600
Asylum Program Fee (Small)USD $300
Premium Processing FeeUSD $2,965
optional
I-539 Online Filing FeeUSD $420
optional
I-539 Paper Filing FeeUSD $470
optional
I-765 Online Filing FeeUSD $470
optional
I-765 Paper Filing FeeUSD $520
optional
TotalUSD $2,140–$7,285

Processing Time

Track 11–2 months
Track 24 weeks – 4 months

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant2 years
Extension increments2 years

Annual Cap & Quota

10,500 per fiscal year

Eligible Nationalities (1)

AustraliaAustralia

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

EB-1 — Employment First Preference - Priority Worker
United States flagUnited States

EB-1 — Employment First Preference - Priority Worker

ValidityIndefinite
Processing1–3 years
View Visa Details
EB-2 — Employment Second Preference - Advanced Degree
United States flagUnited States

EB-2 — Employment Second Preference - Advanced Degree

ValidityIndefinite
Processing1.5–10 years
View Visa Details
EB-3 — Employment Third Preference - Skilled Worker/Professional
United States flagUnited States

EB-3 — Employment Third Preference - Skilled Worker/Professional

ValidityIndefinite
Processing3.5–12 years
View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be a national of Australia (requires a valid Australian passport)

Must have a legitimate job offer from a U.S. employer

Position must qualify as a specialty occupation

Must possess necessary academic credentials (bachelor's degree or equivalent)

Employer must pay the prevailing wage or actual wage

Must demonstrate nonimmigrant intent

KEY CRITERIA

Education

bachelor or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid Australian passport

Certified Labor Condition Application (LCA)

Job Offer Letter

Academic Credentials (degree/transcripts/equivalency evaluation)

Resume/CV

Form DS-160 confirmation page

Form I-129 approval notice (if USCIS path)

Proof of professional licenses

Evidence of ties to Australia

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

  • Annual cap of 10,500 visas is rarely reached, avoiding the H-1B lottery
  • Initial 2-year stay with no statutory limit on the number of 2-year extensions
  • Spouse (E-3S) is work-authorized incident to status without filing I-765
  • Unmarried children under 21 may accompany on E-3D dependent status
  • Available via both consular processing and in-US change of status (Form I-129)
  • $315 MRV consular fee is materially lower than the full H-1B fee stack

Worth Knowing

  • Restricted to Australian nationals only — Australian permanent residents do not qualify
  • Requires nonimmigrant intent — dual intent is not recognized for E-3
  • Employer must obtain a certified DOL Labor Condition Application before filing
  • I-129 filings incur the Asylum Program Fee ($600 standard / $300 small / $0 nonprofit)
  • E-3D children cannot work in the US even though they may accompany the principal
  • Applicant is not an Australian national (the only nationality qualifying)
  • Role does not qualify as a specialty occupation requiring a bachelor's degree or equivalent
  • No path to US permanent residency on this visa alone — would need to switch categories

Application Process

1

Secure a specialty occupation job offer

2

Employer obtains certified LCA from DOL

3

Complete Form DS-160 or file Form I-129

4

Pay required fees

5

Attend interview (if consular) or await USCIS approval

6

Enter U.S. and begin work

Application Forms

DS-160
Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application
Fill online
I-129
Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
Fill online
I-907Optional
Request for Premium Processing Service
Fill online
I-539Optional
Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status
Fill online
I-765Optional
Application for Employment Authorization
Fill online
ETA-9035
Labor Condition Application
Fill online

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