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E-3 Australian Specialty Occupation

Specialty occupation visa exclusively for Australian citizens.

Estimated Cost

$315

Processing Time

~20 days

Validity

24 months

Description

The E-3 visa is a specialty occupation work visa available exclusively to Australian citizens. It is similar to the H-1B but has a separate annual quota and does not require a petition to USCIS, making it significantly faster and easier to obtain than H-1B.

Official informationLast updated: 2026-02-15

Timeline

Processing Time
14 days – 1 months

Average: 20 days

Visa Validity
2 years

Path to Residency

Path to Citizenship

~10 years

Eligibility

Education:Bachelors

Requirements

Australian citizenship*

Must be a citizen of Australia (permanent residents not eligible)

Job offer*

Must have a valid job offer from a U.S. employer for a specialty occupation

Specialty occupation*

The position must require at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field

Bachelor's degree*

Must possess the required bachelor's degree or equivalent

Labor Condition Application*

Employer must obtain certified LCA from the Department of Labor (distinct from H-1B LCA)

Valid Australian passport*

Cost Breakdown

FeeAmountType
DS-160 Visa Application Fee$315One-time
Legal/Attorney Fees(optional)$3,500One-time
Estimated Total$315