E-3 – Specialty Occupations (Australia) (Back)

• The E-3 visa is a nonimmigrant temporary worker visa that allows Australian nationals to come to the United States to perform services in a   prearranged professional job or specialty occupation. A "specialty occupation" is one that requires the theoretical and practical application of a   body of specialized knowledge along with at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. For example, occupations in architecture, engineering,
  mathematics, physical sciences, social sciences, medicine and health, education, business specialties, accounting, law, theology, and the arts are
  specialty occupations. Before filing the petition with U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services, the employer must file a labor condition application
  with the Department of Labor concerning the terms and conditions of the contract of employment. E-3 nonimmigrant status is initially granted for a
  period of no more than two years, and may be extended indefinitely in increments of two years. Current law provides for 10,500 new E-3 visas
  per fiscal year for Australian nationals who seek temporary work in “specialty occupations.”

  The dependent spouse and unmarried children under age 21 of an E-3 principal, if otherwise admissible, may be granted E-3 classification. Spouses   of principal E-3 visa holders are eligible for work authorization.