United States
ChileCompare visas
B-1/B-2 vs EB-2
The B-1/B-2 lets you visit the United States for business or tourism, with a visa of up to 10 years and 6-month stays, but it does not authorise work. The EB-2 green card is permanent residence for advanced degrees or exceptional ability, with derivative residence for your spouse. Travelling on a B-1/B-2 while an EB-2 case moves forward calls for care, because the visitor visa does not allow dual intent.
These two categories differ on 9 of 10 criteria. The full table is below, but if you only have a minute, these are the differences that decide a case.
Where they part ways
What it is for
B-1/B-2 Business or tourism, no work
EB-2 Residence for an advanced degree or exceptional ability
Needs a sponsor
B-1/B-2 No
EB-2 Yes, except with a National Interest Waiver
Annual cap
B-1/B-2 No cap
EB-2 28.6% of the annual employment-based total
Prior USCIS petition
B-1/B-2 No, straight to the consulate
EB-2 Yes, I-140 and PERM unless NIW
Duration
B-1/B-2 Visa up to 10 years, 6-month stays
EB-2 Permanent
Dual intent
B-1/B-2 Not allowed
EB-2 It is residence itself
Spouse may work
B-1/B-2 Not applicable, one each
EB-2 Yes, derivative residence
Path to residence
B-1/B-2 It does not lead there
EB-2 It is the residence
Chile's position
B-1/B-2 No particular advantage
EB-2 None of the backlogs that affect India and China
Full comparison
| Criterion | B-1/B-2 B-1/B-2 visa | EB-2 EB-2 green card |
|---|---|---|
| What it is for The activity the category authorises. | Business or tourism, no work | Residence for an advanced degree or exceptional ability |
| Needs a sponsor Whether someone else has to petition for you. | No | Yes, except with a National Interest Waiver |
| Annual cap How many are issued per fiscal year. | No cap | 28.6% of the annual employment-based total |
| Lottery Whether access depends on a random selection. | None | None |
| Prior USCIS petition Whether a form must be approved before the consulate. | No, straight to the consulate | Yes, I-140 and PERM unless NIW |
| Duration Initial term and cumulative ceiling. | Visa up to 10 years, 6-month stays | Permanent |
| Dual intent Whether you can pursue residence without risking the status. | Not allowed | It is residence itself |
| Spouse may work Whether your partner is authorised to work. | Not applicable, one each | Yes, derivative residence |
| Path to residence Whether it leads to a green card or is one already. | It does not lead there | It is the residence |
| Chile's position What being Chilean changes. | No particular advantage | None of the backlogs that affect India and China |
Figures verified on 2026-09-11
This table is general guidance, not legal advice or an eligibility assessment.
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