E-3 Visa

The E-3 temporary worker visa is designated for Australian citizens coming to the United States temporarily to work in a specialty occupation. A specialty occupation is defined as one that requires "theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge, and attainment of a bachelor's or higher degree, or its equivalent, as a minimum requirement." The potential employee must meet all the minimum hiring requirements of the position, including the degree(s) in the appropriate field, license, etc., and must prove with an equivalency evaluation that any foreign degree is equivalent to the required U.S. degree.

E-3 visa holders may be admitted initially for a period up to two years, and extensions of stay may be granted indefinitely in increments of up to two years. E-3 status is not appropriate for tenured or tenure-track positions due to its strictly temporary nature.

For additional information about the E-3 visa, please contact the OLC to at visa@memphis.edu.