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Visa gives Australian business people access to the US
The visa category, E-3, provides Australian business people with greater access to the developing opportunities brought about by the Australia-US Free Trade Agreement. The standard business visa, the H-1B visa, is capped at 65,000 globally, with roughly only 900 Australians being successful in their applications. The E-3 visa, specific to Australia, allows 10,500 business people to live and work temporarily in a speciality occupation. To be eligible for the E-3 visa, an Australian must be entering the US to work temporarily for a US employer in a specialty occupation. A specialty occupation requires relevant tertiary qualifications, at a minimum a bachelor’s degree, and work experience. Examples include architects, accountants, engineers, lawyers, physicians, and surgeons. Unlike the existing E-1 and E-2 visas which require a direct and significant link between the occupation and international trade and investment between Australia and the US, the E-3 visa allows Australians to work in any specialty occupation. Also, the E-3 visa affords entry to the spouse and minor children of the employee. Significantly, under the E-3 visa, the employee’s spouse is also eligible to apply for authorisation to work in the US for any US employer. The E-3 visa covers a period of two years, but may be renewed for successive two year periods indefinitely. It has no impact on the ability of its holders to apply for other visa categories. Article reviewed: 14 July 2010 More information on the E-3 visa is available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website.
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