University of Michigan
International Center

home | immigration & visas | visa categories for u-m faculty & staff | e-3 visa

E-3 Australian Visas

E-3 is a visa status only available to Australian citizens to work temporarily in specialty occupations in the U.S.The position must require a bachelor’s degree and a specialized body of knowledge. Employees cannot apply for E-3 status directly; University of Michigan must sponsor the request. E-3s are also position specific. Any changes in job details (title, salary, duties, hours, location) should be reported to the International Center in order to determine whether an amended petition needs to be filed with USCIS. If you change employers, the new employer will need to file a change of employer petition with USCIS.

There is no cumulative time limit on E-3. It can be renewed every two years indefinitely, provided that the stay remains temporary in nature. Extensions can either be applied for at a consulate abroad or though a petition sent to USCIS.

E-3 has many advantages over the other types of working visas, including the ability for spouses of E-3 recipients to apply for work authorization. There is no requirement that the spouse and children be Australian citizens.

Australian citizens may apply for an E-3 visa at any consulate including those located outside of Australia. However, please contact the U.S. consulate or embassy where you plan to apply to check that they accept applications from non-residents, for details of how to book an interview and for current processing times, as these will vary by consulate. A list of U.S. embassies and consulates can be found on usembassy.state.gov. Information on interview wait times and visa processing times can be found on travel.state.gov.

A list of the applicable fees for applying for E-3 status can be found on the International Center Fee Schedule.

How to Apply for an E-3 Visa

  1. If the prospective employee is currently overseas, download and complete the Overseas E-3 Process Authorization Form.

    If the prospective employee is currently in the U.S., download and complete the Domestic E-3 Process Authorization Form.
  2. The department faxes the completed form to the U-M International Center at 734.615.2200.
  3. The U-M International Center initiates the case in INSZoom, and sends electronic questionnaires to the department and to the foreign national to request additional information and to provide a listing of documents that are required.
  4. The department and the foreign national each complete an electronic questionnaire in INSZoom.
  5. The U-M International Center obtains the prevailing wage (i.e., the wage paid to others doing similar jobs in this geographic area) and the actual wage (i.e., the wage the department pays others with similar experience and qualifications to do the same job) from the U-M Human Resources and Affirmative Action Compensation department and/or to the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth.

    NOTE: Departments must pay E-3 employees the prevailing wage or actual wage, whichever is higher.
  6. The U-M International Center files a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the U.S. Department of Labor that provides information on the wages, working conditions, and benefits that U-M will provide the E-3 worker. The U-M International Center sends copies of the LCA to the department.
  7. The department posts the LCA for 10 business days and returns the posted LCA to the U-M International Center.
  8. If the individual is overseas, the U-M International Center prepares the visa documentation and sends the package to the prospective employee.

    If the individual is in the U.S., the U-M International Center prepares and emails out forms for the case. The department is responsible for requesting the check(s). Once the department approves the forms and the checks are received, the U-M International Center files the case with USCIS and, upon final case decision, notifies the department and employee.

Last reviewed: 1/09