Does the E-3 depend on a government bidding process?

No. The E-3, a visa for Australian citizens in specialty occupations, does not depend on any bidding process or government competition. There is no competition among candidates for government-allocated slots: the visa is based on a direct employment relationship between the professional and an employer.

What the E-3 does require is the approval of a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the U.S. Department of Labor. This certification ensures that the conditions offered to the foreign professional meet applicable labor market standards, and it is neither a bidding nor a competitive process.

In practice, the process typically involves a job offer in a specialty occupation, submission of the LCA, and then scheduling the consular interview. The entire process is focused on confirming that the employment relationship complies with the applicable rules.

Since procedures may be updated, it is worth confirming current guidance from official sources (USCIS, the Department of Labor, and the Department of State) and, if in doubt, consulting a specialist.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.