The EB-2 visa is a concrete pathway for all those who wish to build a new career in America. This visa grants green cards to its holders and is intended for highly qualified professionals who are necessary for the well-being, progress and development of the United States.
This is the recognized visa that makes the phenomenon known as the "brain drain" to the United States possible. Professionals who excel internationally in various fields, such as health, business, science, sports and the arts, can obtain permanent residence on American soil through the EB-2.
Salaries for speech therapists in the USA
According to data released by the US Department of Labor, the average annual salary of aSpeech-Language Pathologist is 89,000 dollars - an average wage of 43 dollars per hour.
The sectors in which there is the highest level of employment for speech therapists in the United States are: primary and secondary schools, clinics of other health professionals and general medical and surgical hospitals.
The states with the highest average annual salaries for speech-language pathologists, and their respective average annual salaries, are: Hawaii(110 thousand dollars), California(108 thousand dollars), Washington, D.C(105 thousand dollars), New York (104 thousand dollars) and New Jersey(102 thousand dollars).
Requirements to practice in the United States
As with psychology and other health professions, to become a speech therapist and treat clinical patients in the United States, you need more than a bachelor's degree.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association is the body that certifies audiologists and speech-language pathologists in the United States. In order for a speech-language pathologist license to be granted by ASHA, a professional must at least hold a bachelor's degree in the health field, a master's degree in speech-language pathology from a university accredited by the association, take the Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology and meet other possible requirements, such as supervised clinical practice.
Benefits of the EB-2 Visa
Permanent residency: the path to American citizenship
The Green Card is the first step towards American citizenship, because in most cases, only foreigners who are already permanent residents of the United States can obtain it. This requires at least 5 years of permanent residence and that the Green Card holder complies with all the rules established by immigration and the American government.
Possibility of self-sponsorship
Generally, applicants for US visas related to professional functions need to prove that they have a job offer in the United States in order for their visas to be approved.
However, if the professional proves that their expertise and role are in the national interest of the United States - and that it would be beneficial for the country to waive the requirements of a job offer for this person - this condition is lifted and the visa becomes an EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver).
Your Family in the United States
Spouses and children under the age of 21 who are approved for EB-2 visas also receive their respective green cards, making the process of moving to the United States much simpler for your whole family.
Am I eligible for a green card?
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