6 May 2014
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced a
proposed rule that will provide some added benefits for E-3 visa holders.
What is an E-3 Visa?
It is a special category available only to Australian
citizens.
There are two basic requirements; (1) job offer from a
US company to work in a professional role; and (2) must hold a bachelor’s
degree in a relevant field, or the work experience equivalent.
The proposed new changes to the E-3 category include:
1. E-3 visa added to the list of visa classifications that
authorise classes of aliens authorised for employment status with a specific
employer. The benefit of this new change would end hassles that E-3 visa
holders sometimes encounter when trying to obtain US benefits such as a Social
Security Number or a driver’s license
2. Add the E-3 visa to the list of work visas that are
automatically granted up to 240 days of continued work authorization beyond the
expiry of status while an extension request is pending. The benefit of
this change means there would be less pressure to file the extension request
months before the expiry of status.
We will continue to monitor the proposed new rule and will
advise of any changes once they become available from the U.S. Department of
Homeland Security.
If you have any questions about these changes or US
immigration, please contact our specialist
US immigration team.
