One of the most common points of confusion about the E3 visa is the requirement for an approved Labor Condition Application (LCA), which sets specific wage levels based on the job location and occupation. Many applicants wonder whether meeting these wage requirements is possible while working fewer hours, and if part-time employment could still qualify for an E3 visa. So, is it possible to obtain an E3 visa for a part-time job?
Doug Lightman from Lightman Law Firm helps me out again to understand exactly what the rules are for getting a part-time E3 visa.
Can You Get an E3 Visa with a Part-Time Job?
Josh: Can I get an E3 visa with a part-time job?
Doug: Technically, yes. Anything under thirty-five hours a week is considered part-time.
However, we don’t recommend extreme part-time work. The number of hours per week is not necessarily something that has to be captured on the E3 application, but if, during the interview process, the consular officer asks how many hours you’ll be working and you’re unsure or it’s questionable how you’d be able to support yourself, that could definitely be an issue.
Can You Hold More Than One Part-Time Job on an E3 Visa?
Josh: One of the other questions I get is with part-time jobs—can I hold more than one part-time job with an E3?
Doug: Well, you would have to get two E3 visas, but yes, you can hold two E3s concurrently.
How Do You Apply for Two E3 Visas at the Same Time?
Josh: If I wanted to have two E3s concurrently, would I have to apply for both at the same time, or can I add one to another later if I get a new job?
Doug: Ideally, you’d apply for both at the same time, but you could, in theory, apply for one and then add another later.
What you need to remember when getting an E-3 visa part time
- You can get an E3 visa with a part-time job, but it may raise concerns if the hours are too low to support yourself.
- The number of hours isn’t listed on the E3 visa application, but consular officers may ask about it in an interview.
- You can hold multiple part-time jobs, but they do both need to be listed on your E-3 visa
- If you want two part-time E3 visas, applying for both at the same time is ideal, but you can apply for a second one later.
Ultimately, while an E3 visa for a part-time job is possible, it’s important to ensure your situation makes sense to consular officers. If you’re considering this route, consulting an immigration attorney might be a good idea to make sure everything is lined up properly. The most mistakes we see are when people go through the interview process and stumble over questions that make it look like they are misleading the officer (when in fact they are just uninformed).
