Not every green card is built for rocket scientists or startup founders. In fact, most employment-based green cards go to people with steady careers, marketable skills, and job offers waiting — not headline-grabbing résumés.
The EB-2 and EB-3 visa categories sit at the heart of the U.S. employment-based immigration system. According to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Department of State issued over 192,000 employment-based immigrant visas, exceeding pre-pandemic levels and ensuring no available visas went unused. EB-2 and EB-3 visa applicants make up a significant share of those approvals, reflecting how essential both categories are to meeting workforce demand.
In this guide, we break down the EB-2 vs. EB-3 decision. You’ll get a clear look at how each category works, how visa qualifications work, the eligibility criteria, and how to approach your case with immigration services based on your background and long-term goals.
What Is the EB-2 Visa?
The EB-2 visa is a green card option for individuals with advanced qualifications or exceptional ability in their field. It’s commonly used by engineers, physicians, researchers, and other professionals whose work typically requires a high level of education or skill.
Compared to the EB-3, this approved employment based visa often moves faster, especially for applicants from countries without long visa backlogs.
Three Paths to Eligibility
There are three ways to qualify for an EB-2:
The most common path is through the advanced degree category. This requires a U.S. master’s degree or higher (or a foreign equivalent degree above that of bachelor’s), or a bachelor’s degree (or a foreign equivalent degree) followed by at least five years of progressive experience in the field.
Applicants may also qualify under the exceptional ability category, which is based on demonstrated expertise in the sciences, arts, or business. This track requires a strong track record of achievement — such as industry recognition, published work, or other high-level credentials.
A third option is the National Interest Waiver (NIW). This is reserved for individuals whose work serves the broader interests of the United States — for example, in public health, education, infrastructure, or scientific innovation. NIW applicants can self-petition, meaning they do not need a U.S. employer to sponsor them and can bypass the usual labor certification process.
When Is PERM Required?
In most EB-2 cases, the employer must complete PERM Labor Certification, which proves there are no qualified U.S. workers available for the job. However, NIW applicants are exempt from this step, giving them more flexibility and independence in the process.
Why EB-2?
The EB-2 visa is ideal for applicants whose qualifications clearly match the job being offered. While the standards are more rigorous than those for EB-3, the reward is often a shorter wait and greater strategic options.
That said, success under EB-2 depends heavily on how well your education, experience, and role align — and whether you’re positioned to make a case for national interest or exceptional ability.
What Is the EB-3 Visa?
The EB-3 visa is one of the most accessible paths to a green card through employment. It’s designed for individuals with a job offer from a U.S. employer and qualifications that fit into one of three worker types.
While the eligibility bar is lower than EB-2, the tradeoff is that processing times can be longer — especially for applicants from high-demand countries.
Three Categories of Workers
The EB-3 categorizes a foreign worker as:
Professional
“Professionals” are workers who hold a U.S. bachelor’s degree or its foreign equivalent, and whose job requires that level of education. Experience cannot substitute for a missing degree in this category.
Skilled Worker
These workers need at least two years of relevant experience or training. These are often tradespeople, technicians, or mid-level service workers whose roles require proven skill but not necessarily a college degree.
Unskilled Worker
Also referred to as “other workers,” unskilled workers are those in positions that require less than two years of training or experience. These roles often include labor-intensive or entry-level jobs in industries like agriculture, food service, and hospitality.
Each of these categories requires a full-time, permanent job offer from a U.S. employer.
PERM Is Always Required
Unlike the EB-2, the EB-3 category does not include an option to bypass the labor market test. Every EB-3 petition must go through the PERM Labor Certification process. That means the employer must prove that there are no qualified U.S. workers available to fill the role before hiring a foreign national.
This extra step adds time and complexity, but it’s a standard part of the process.
Why EB-3?
The EB-3 visa is a strong option for applicants who don’t meet EB-2’s advanced degree or exceptional ability standards — and for employers looking to fill essential but hard-to-staff roles. It’s commonly used in industries like construction, healthcare support, food prep, hospitality, and logistics.
While EB-3 is broadly accessible, it’s often subject to longer wait times due to tighter visa caps — particularly in the unskilled worker category, which has a smaller annual allotment. Applicants from countries with high demand, such as India or the Philippines, may face additional backlog.
EB-2 vs EB-3: What Are the Key Differences?
While both EB-2 and EB-3 visas offer a path to permanent residency through employment, the two categories differ in meaningful ways — from who qualifies to how long the process takes.
Here are the main differences:
Eligibility Requirements
The most significant difference comes down to qualifications. EB-2 is designed for applicants with advanced degrees or exceptional ability, while EB-3 accommodates a broader range of workers — including those with only a bachelor’s degree, trade experience, or even limited formal training.
If you hold a master’s degree or higher (or a bachelor’s plus five years of progressive experience), EB-2 may be a better fit. But if your role requires less education or focuses more on skilled labor or hands-on experience, EB-3 may be the more appropriate category.
Application Process
Both EB-2 and EB-3 follow a similar basic structure:
- PERM Labor Certification (unless waived through NIW in EB-2)
- Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition)
- Adjustment of Status or Consular Processing
The biggest procedural difference is that EB-2 applicants who qualify for a National Interest Waiver can skip both the PERM and job offer requirements. EB-3 applicants cannot — PERM is always required.
Visa Application Process Time
In general, EB-2 cases move faster, especially for applicants from countries without significant backlogs. Premium processing is available for both categories at the I-140 stage, but the real bottleneck tends to be visa availability — and that’s where EB-2 has an edge.
Visa Availability
The U.S. limits the number of green cards issued each year, with per-country caps and separate quotas for each category. As a result, some EB-3 categories — particularly unskilled workers — face long wait times. EB-2 visas tend to be in less demand and may become available sooner, especially for applicants from countries outside of India, China, or the Philippines.
Each month, the Visa Bulletin shows which priority dates are current for each category and country. Checking this regularly helps manage expectations and timing your application.
Strategic Considerations
It’s not uncommon for applicants to shift between categories based on timing and case strategy. Some downgrade from EB-2 to EB-3 if backlogs make the latter more accessible in a given year. Others pursue EB-2 through the National Interest Waiver to avoid the PERM process altogether.
Choosing the Right Option for Your Case
For some applicants, the choice between EB-2 and EB-3 is straightforward. If you clearly meet the educational or exceptional ability standards for EB-2, and visa availability is favorable, it often makes sense to pursue that category.
The potential for faster processing — particularly for National Interest Waiver applicants — is a major advantage.
But not every applicant fits neatly into EB-2 requirements. In many industries, valuable workers may have strong skills and years of experience, but not hold an advanced degree. For those cases, EB-3 remains a reliable option, especially for skilled tradespeople or workers in industries like healthcare, hospitality, logistics, and manufacturing.
Long-term planning matters too. Visa backlogs change, family member needs evolve, and job offers may come with specific filing limitations.
In some situations, applicants may even file under both categories to keep options open as the Visa Bulletin shifts. This is where working with an experienced immigration attorney can make a real difference in your strategy — particularly if your qualifications sit near the edge of one category or the other.
EB-2 vs EB-3 At a Glance
Here’s how EB2 visas and EB3 visas, neither of which work for workers looking for temporary or seasonal nature, compare:
| Category | EB-2 | EB-3 |
| Main Qualification | Advanced degree or exceptional ability | Bachelor’s, skilled, and unskilled worker |
| PERM Labor Certification | Required (except for NIW) | Always required |
| National Interest Waiver | Available | Not Available |
| Typical Applicants | Engineers, physicians, researchers, high-level professionals | Tradespeople, healthcare workers, service roles |
| Processing Time | Generally faster | Often longer, especially for unskilled category |
| Visa Availability | Higher (except for some countries) | More backlogged for many countries |
Move Forward with Confidence
Every immigration case carries its own set of facts. Degrees, job offers, experience, timelines, and country backlogs all intersect differently for each applicant. What works for one person may slow down another. The key is knowing where you stand today — and how each option positions you for the long term.
A well-built case isn’t about guessing which category might work. It’s about understanding what you qualify for, where flexibility exists, and how to file in a way that avoids unnecessary risk or wasted time.
That’s where we come in. 360 Immigration Law Group works directly with applicants and employers to build the strongest possible case, customized to the facts — not just the forms. If you’re ready to map out your next move, we’re here to help. Contact us today!