Employment-Based Immigration
Employment-Based Immigration & Work Visa USA Services
At Bridgewood & Co., our employment-based immigration lawyers bring extensive experience in designing and implementing effective work visa USA and employment-based green card strategies for both individuals and organizations. We represent employers and employees at every stage of growth, from early-stage startups to multinational corporations.
Our attorneys regularly advise and represent clients across a broad range of sectors, including startups, small and mid-sized businesses, multinational companies, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, hospitals, research laboratories, and investment funds. We understand that each organization—and each professional—faces unique immigration challenges.
Bridgewood & Co. develops tailored sponsorship strategies for companies operating in diverse industries such as technology, education, finance, hospitality, healthcare, and beyond. Regardless of company size or industry, our approach remains personal, strategic, and goal-oriented.
We take the time to understand your objectives and design a customized employment-based immigration plan aligned with your business needs, workforce goals, and long-term growth strategy.
Our Personalized Work Visa USA Services Include:
Employment-Based Green Cards
U.S. employers may sponsor foreign national employees for an employment-based green card, which grants lawful permanent residence in the United States. As permanent residents, green card holders may live and work in the U.S. without restriction and may later apply for U.S. citizenship through naturalization after meeting residency requirements—generally five years.
One of the key advantages of an employment-based green card is its permanence, which distinguishes it from a temporary work visa USA that requires ongoing renewals and continued employer sponsorship.
Employment-based green cards are divided into five preference categories (EB-1 through EB-5). At Bridgewood & Co., our employment-based immigration lawyers have extensive experience advising employers and professionals across all five categories, from initial strategy through permanent residence approval.
EB-1 Green Card – First Preference
The EB-1 green card is reserved for highly accomplished individuals and multinational executives. Due to historically shorter backlogs, EB-1 is one of the most desirable employment-based green card categories for qualifying applicants.
EB-1 Subcategories
EB-1A: Individuals of Extraordinary Ability
This category is for foreign nationals who have reached the very top of their field in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics.
No employer sponsorship required
Applicants may self-petition
Must demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim
Bridgewood & Co. has significant experience helping qualified individuals prepare and file strong EB-1A self-petitions.
EB-1B: Outstanding Professors or Researchers
This category is for professors and researchers who are internationally recognized for outstanding academic achievements.
U.S. employer sponsorship required
Self-petitioning is not permitted
Both employer and applicant must meet specific regulatory criteria
Our attorneys advise universities, research institutions, and scholars on developing effective EB-1B strategies.
EB-1C: Multinational Managers and Executives
The EB-1C category is designed for multinational executives and managers transferred to the U.S. from a qualifying foreign entity.
U.S. employer sponsorship required
Common green card pathway for L-1A visa holders
Also effective for foreign entrepreneurs who have expanded into the U.S.
Bridgewood & Co. regularly assists executives and business owners with EB-1C green card strategies aligned with long-term corporate growth.
EB-2 Green Card – Second Preference
The EB-2 green card is available to foreign nationals with advanced degrees, exceptional ability, or those whose work benefits the U.S. national interest. Backlogs in this category are often shorter than EB-3, making it an attractive option.
EB-2 Subcategories
Advanced Degree
The offered position must require an advanced degree, and the applicant must hold:
A master’s degree or higher, or
A bachelor’s degree plus five years of progressive experience
Exceptional Ability
Applicants must demonstrate expertise significantly above the ordinary level in the sciences, arts, or business.
National Interest Waiver (NIW)
The NIW allows qualified applicants to self-petition without employer sponsorship or labor certification.
To qualify, applicants must show:
Substantial merit and national importance of their work
That they are well positioned to advance the endeavor
That waiving labor certification benefits the United States
Bridgewood & Co. has successfully represented professionals across multiple industries in NIW cases.
EB-3 Green Card – Third Preference
The EB-3 category is for:
Skilled workers (minimum two years of experience or training)
Professionals (bachelor’s degree required)
Other workers (positions requiring less than two years of training)
All EB-3 petitions require completion of the PERM labor certification process. Our attorneys regularly guide employers and employees through successful EB-3 filings.
PERM Labor Certification Process
Most EB-2 and EB-3 green card cases require PERM labor certification, unless exempted through a National Interest Waiver.
The PERM process requires the employer to:
Conduct a strict recruitment process
Demonstrate the lack of qualified, willing, and available U.S. workers
Obtain certification from the U.S. Department of Labor
Only after PERM approval may the employer file the green card petition with USCIS. Bridgewood & Co. assists with PERM filings, audits, and compliance strategy.
EB-4 Green Card – Fourth Preference
The EB-4 category is reserved for special immigrants, including:
Religious workers
Certain international organization employees
NATO-6 and G-4 retirees
Some EB-4 cases allow self-petitioning. Our attorneys provide guidance on eligibility and petition preparation for EB-4 applicants.
EB-5 Green Card – Fifth Preference (Investor)
The EB-5 green card is for foreign nationals who make a qualifying investment in a U.S. commercial enterprise and create U.S. jobs.
This category is ideal for:
Investors without U.S. employer sponsors
Entrepreneurs launching capital-intensive businesses
Individuals seeking permanent residence through investment
Bridgewood & Co. provides full EB-5 representation, from investment strategy to petition approval.
How Bridgewood & Co. Can Help
Our employment-based immigration lawyers provide:
Strategic green card planning
Employer sponsorship guidance
Self-petitioning solutions
PERM labor certification representation
Long-term immigration and citizenship planning
We focus on precision, compliance, and long-term success for both employers and professionals.
Work Visa USA
Work Visa USA Services for Employers
The United States offers multiple work visa USA options for organizations seeking to employ foreign national workers. At Bridgewood & Co., our employment-based immigration lawyers help employers meet their growth, talent, and operational goals by sponsoring temporary work visas for foreign national employees.
We assist organizations in sponsoring foreign workers across a wide range of employment scenarios, including:
Local hires
Intracompany transfers
Temporary or seasonal workers
Foreign professionals and trainees
Our attorneys understand how to get a working visa for the USA and guide employers through the full work visa USA sponsorship process, from initial strategy through approval and compliance.
Work Visa USA vs. Employment-Based Green Card
A work visa USA is a temporary immigration solution that authorizes employment for a specific employer and role, often for a limited duration. Employment activities are restricted to those approved under the visa classification.
In contrast, an employment-based green card grants lawful permanent residence, allowing the individual to live and work in the United States without employment restrictions.
Bridgewood & Co. advises employers on choosing the most appropriate visa strategy—temporary or permanent—based on workforce needs and long-term planning.
Professional Work Visa USA Options
Our employment-based immigration lawyers have extensive experience guiding organizations of all sizes through the professional work visa USA process. We develop custom immigration strategies aligned with your business structure, industry, and hiring objectives.
Below is an overview of the most common professional work visa categories we handle.
H-1B Specialty Occupation Work Visa USA
The H-1B visa is a temporary work visa for foreign nationals employed in specialty occupations requiring at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
Common H-1B roles include:
Engineers
Scientists
Teachers
Financial analysts
IT professionals
Key features include:
Initial stay of up to three years, extendable for an additional three years
Employment limited to the sponsoring employer
Spouses and unmarried children under 21 may obtain H-4 dependent status
Dual-intent classification, allowing pursuit of permanent residence
Each year, 85,000 H-1B visas are available, resulting in a competitive annual lottery. Our attorneys regularly assist employers with:
H-1B lottery registration
Petition preparation and filing
Cap-exempt H-1B strategies for qualifying organizations
H-1B1 Chilean & Singaporean Specialty Occupation Work Visa USA
The H-1B1 visa is available to specialty workers from Chile and Singapore under U.S. free trade agreements.
Key advantages include:
Annual allocation of 1,400 visas for Chile and 5,400 for Singapore
No lottery—annual caps have never been reached
Direct consular application without prior USCIS petition approval
Certified Labor Condition Application (LCA) required
Spouses and unmarried children under 21 may accompany the principal in H-4 dependent status. Bridgewood & Co. helps employers integrate the H-1B1 visa into efficient hiring strategies.
E-3 Australian Specialty Occupation Work Visa USA
The E-3 visa is reserved exclusively for Australian citizens working in specialty occupations.
Key features include:
Annual cap of 10,500 visas, which has never been reached
Certified Labor Condition Application required
No USCIS petition required—direct consular filing permitted
Renewable in two-year increments
Spouses and children under 21 may obtain E-3 dependent status. Our team assists employers in sponsoring Australian professionals through the E-3 process efficiently and compliantly.
TN Canadian & Mexican Professional Work Visa USA
The TN visa, created under the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA), allows eligible Canadian and Mexican professionals to work temporarily in the United States.
Eligibility requires:
Canadian or Mexican citizenship
Employment in a listed USMCA profession
A qualifying U.S. job offer
Canadian citizens apply directly at the border or airport
Mexican citizens apply at a U.S. consulate
Dependents may accompany the worker in TD status
Bridgewood & Co. regularly assists employers with TN visa sponsorship and compliance.
R-1 Religious Occupation Work Visa USA
The R-1 visa is a temporary work visa for religious workers, including members of the clergy and individuals working in religious vocations or occupations.
Key points include:
Initial validity of up to 30 months, with a maximum stay of five years
Qualifying roles include ministers, missionaries, cantors, and religious healthcare workers
Non-religious roles do not qualify
Spouses and unmarried children under 21 may apply for R-2 dependent status
For long-term solutions, R-1 holders may be eligible for the EB-4 religious worker green card. Our attorneys guide organizations through both R-1 sponsorship and permanent residence planning.
How Bridgewood & Co. Can Help
Our work visa USA services include:
Employer eligibility and strategy assessment
Visa category selection and workforce planning
Petition and consular application preparation
Labor Condition Application (LCA) compliance
Extensions, amendments, and renewals
Long-term green card transition strategies
At Bridgewood & Co., we combine technical precision with personalized service, ensuring that your organization’s immigration strategy supports both immediate hiring needs and long-term growth.