What is ‘proffered wage’ in EB-2?

EB-2 is a visa category that serves individuals with advanced skills or advanced degrees, and, in some of its modalities, there is a need to prove that the job will offer fair conditions for the foreign worker. It is important to remember that following immigration laws and having qualified guidance is essential to avoid issues and scams.

In the context of certain visa applications with labor certification, the term ‘proffered wage’ represents the amount an employer commits to pay the worker for the offered job. This wage must, as a rule, be in accordance with the ‘prevailing wage’ – the average or prevailing salary in the market for that role, determined by the United States Department of Labor.

This requirement ensures that the interests of U.S. workers are protected and that the offered job does not create wage distortions in the local market. In the specific case of EB-2 with National Interest Waiver (NIW), the rule changes somewhat. Although ‘proffered wage’ is a central part of processes that depend on a job offer and labor certification, EB-2 NIW waives the need for a formal job offer and, consequently, does not require proof of a proffered wage.

However, for other EB-2 subcategories where labor certification is necessary, presenting a proffered wage that meets the prevailing wage is an important step in the process. It is always recommended to follow immigration laws and seek information from official sources and professionals specialized in the area to ensure that all requirements are met. This caution helps avoid future complications and falling into traps of easy promises or marketing practices that guarantee impossible results.

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.