Getting a green card through work isn’t just for executives or tech workers with advanced degrees. In fact, one of the most accessible paths to U.S. permanent residency is built for people who fix engines, file invoices, prep meals, and do everything in between.
The EB-3 visa is part of the employment-based green card system and covers three categories of workers: professionals with a bachelor’s degree, skilled workers with at least two years of experience or training, and unskilled workers in roles that require less than two years of preparation.
Under INA 203(b)(3), EB-3 visas are capped at 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based total each year, with no more than 10,000 visas available for unskilled workers in the “EW” category.
This guide walks you through the EB-3 visa process step by step — from job offer to green card — so you know exactly what to expect and how to move forward with confidence.
Who Can Apply Under the EB-3 Visa Category?
The EB-3 visa is designed to bring in workers across a wide range of industries and experience levels. Whether you hold a degree, have years of hands-on experience, or are starting out in an entry-level role, there’s a path forward — as long as you meet the core criteria.
All EB-3 applicants must have:
- A full-time, permanent job offer from a U.S. employer
- Proof of qualifications for the role
- Admissibility under U.S. immigration law (including a background check and medical exam)
Below are the three categories the EB-3 process covers:
Professionals
This category is for individuals with a U.S. bachelor’s degree or a foreign equivalent. The degree must directly relate to the job being offered, and practical experience cannot be used in place of formal education.
Common roles include engineers, teachers, accountants, and healthcare professionals.
Skilled Workers
If you have at least two years of job experience or training, you may qualify as a skilled worker. This category often includes tradespeople, technicians, and service industry roles where expertise is key.
You’ll need documentation to prove your experience, like employment letters, training certificates, or licenses.
Unskilled Workers (Other Workers)
This category applies to jobs that require less than two years of training or experience. Common roles performing unskilled labor include farm laborers, housekeepers, and food service workers.
While the qualification bar is lower, the demand is high — and wait times for visas in this category are typically longer than for professionals or skilled workers.
The EB-3 Visa Process: Step by Step
The EB-3 visa process is a structured, multi-phase journey that requires coordination between the worker, the employer, and multiple U.S. government agencies.
These are the following steps:
Step 1 – Prevailing Wage Determination
Before the process can begin, the employer must request a prevailing wage determination from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). This sets the minimum salary that must be offered for the job, based on its duties, location, and required experience or education.
The goal is to protect both U.S. and foreign workers. It ensures that foreign labor isn’t used to undercut local wages and that the role being filled is legitimate and fairly compensated.
Processing Time: Typically 4-6 months, though delays occur depending on volume.
Step 2 – PERM Labor Certification
With the prevailing wage set, the employer begins the PERM Labor Certification process. This is a required recruitment phase designed to prove that there are no qualified U.S. workers available to fill the job.
The employer must:
- Run job advertisements in specific formats (e.g., Sunday newspaper ads, state job boards)
- Document all applicant responses
- Show legitimate efforts to hire a U.S. worker first
The DOL reviews these records to verify that recruitment was fair and that hiring a foreign worker won’t negatively impact U.S. employment opportunities.
Audit Triggers: Vague job descriptions, unusually low requirements, or inconsistent recruitment records can prompt a DOL audit — adding months to the process.
Step 3 – Filing Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition)
Once the PERM is approved, the employer files Form I-140 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This petition confirms the worker’s eligibility for the job and the employer’s ability to pay the offered wage.
The petition must include:
- Proof of the worker’s qualifications (degrees, certifications, work history)
- Financial records from the employer showing the ability to pay
- A certified PERM Labor Certification
Premium Processing: USCIS offers an expedited 15-day review for an additional fee. Without premium processing, review times can stretch 6–12 months.
The I-140 filing also establishes the applicant’s priority date — the place in line for a green card, based on visa availability.
Step 4 – Waiting for Your Priority Date
After the I-140 is filed, the applicant must wait until their priority date becomes current. Each month, the State Department publishes the Visa Bulletin, which shows which cases can move forward based on visa caps and country of origin.
For applicants from countries with high demand — especially India, China, and the Philippines — the wait can be several years. For others, it may be much shorter.
You must track the Visa Bulletin each month, as you won’t be able to file your green card application until your date is current.
Step 5 – Applying for Your Green Card
Once your priority date becomes current, you can apply for lawful permanent residency:
- Inside the U.S.? File Form I-485 to adjust status
- Outside the U.S.? Complete consular processing at a U.S. embassy or consulate
Both paths involve:
- A medical exam by a certified physician
- A biometrics appointment
- An in-person interview before final approval
Once approved, you’ll receive your green card — and with it, the right to live and work in the United States as a lawful permanent resident.
Process Differences by Worker Type
While the EB-3 visa process follows the same basic steps for everyone, the experience can vary depending on your classification — professional, skilled, or unskilled. Each category comes with its own documentation requirements, challenges, and strategic considerations to obtain permanent residency.
The Process for Professionals
Applicants in the professional category must submit proof of a U.S. bachelor’s degree or its foreign equivalent. This includes:
- Academic transcripts
- Degree certificates
- Credential evaluations for foreign degrees
The biggest challenge here is alignment: the degree must directly relate to the job being offered. If there’s a mismatch — say, an applicant with a business degree applying for an engineering role — the petition may be denied.
The Process for Skilled Workers
For skilled workers, the emphasis is on documented work experience or formal training that adds up to at least two years. Supporting evidence for employment-based immigrant visas may include:
- Employment verification letters
- Apprenticeship or trade certifications
- Pay stubs or contracts from past employers
Timing can be a challenge here. If experience is recent but undocumented, or spans multiple countries or informal roles — it may be harder to prove.
The Process for Unskilled Workers
Unskilled workers don’t need formal education or lengthy work histories, but this category comes with its own hurdle: backlogs. Because the annual cap for “other workers” is significantly lower than the other EB-3 categories, wait times are often much longer for unskilled labor workers.
Job offers must still be full-time and permanent, and applicants must show they meet the basic physical, mental, and legal requirements of the role.
EB-3 Visa Timeline: What to Expect
The EB-3 visa process involves multiple steps, and the timeline can shift significantly depending on your classification, your country of origin, and how your case is handled.
Below is a realistic breakdown of what to expect at each stage — along with a look at best- and worst-case scenarios for foreign nationals.
Prevailing Wage Determination
The process starts with the employer requesting a prevailing wage determination from the U.S. Department of Labor. This sets the minimum wage that must be offered for the position and ensures fair compensation for both U.S. and foreign workers.
Estimated time: 4-6 months
PERM Labor Certification
Once the wage is set, the employer begins the PERM Labor Certification. This includes a mandatory recruitment phase, documentation of hiring efforts, and a formal application process to the DOL.
If selected for audit, processing may take significantly longer.
- Estimated time: 6–12 months
- With audit: Add 3–6 months or more
I-140 Petition (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker)
After PERM approval, the employer files Form I-140 with USCIS. This petition proves that the worker is qualified and that the employer can pay the offered wage.
Filing this petition establishes the applicant’s priority date, which determines when they can move forward based on visa availability.
Estimated time:
- 15 days with premium processing
- 6–12 months with regular processing
Waiting for Your Priority Date
This is often the longest part of the process. After the I-140 is approved, applicants must wait until their priority date becomes current according to the State Department’s Visa Bulletin. Backlogs vary by country and visa category.
Estimated wait time:
- Skilled/professional workers: May be current or backlogged 2–6+ years
- Unskilled workers: Often backlogged longer due to lower visa caps
- High-demand countries (e.g., India, China, Philippines): Expect extended delays
Applying for Your Green Card
Once the priority date is current, applicants can move forward with the green card process. Those already in the U.S. file Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status), while those abroad complete consular processing through a U.S. embassy or consulate.
Both routes require a medical exam, biometrics, and an interview.
Estimated time: 8–14 months
Best-Case Scenario
For applicants from countries with no visa backlog, using premium processing and moving through PERM without delays.
- 18-24 months total
Worst-Case Scenario
For applicants from oversubscribed countries or in the unskilled worker category, where backlogs are most severe:
- 3–10+ years total
Tips for Navigating the EB-3 Visa Application Process
The EB-3 process is complex, and even small missteps can lead to long delays. Staying proactive at each stage can make a big difference — not just in timing, but in overall outcome. Here are four key tips to help you stay on track:
Begin Early and Stay Organized
Start gathering documentation as soon as possible. You’ll need everything from academic transcripts and work history to identification records and medical exams.
Delays often happen when paperwork is incomplete or difficult to verify. Create a timeline, track your progress, and keep all documents in one place — digital and physical.
Work Closely with Your Employer
Your employer plays a central role in the EB-3 process. They’re responsible for the PERM Labor Certification, prevailing wage request, and Form I-140 filing.
Make sure you’re aligned on deadlines and expectations. A breakdown in communication here can stall your entire case.
Understand Your Classification from the Start
Knowing whether you qualify as a professional, skilled worker, or unskilled worker isn’t just about labels — it determines your required documentation, your processing time, and your visa availability.
Misclassifying your role can lead to denials or audits. If there’s any uncertainty, clarify it before any paperwork is filed.
Seek Legal Guidance When the Process Gets Complex
If you’re facing a backlog, have a complicated work history, or aren’t sure which documents you need, talk to an immigration attorney.
A lawyer can spot issues early, help with classification, and handle correspondence with government agencies. Legal support isn’t always required — but when it is, it can save months or even years of setbacks.
Make the Process Work for You
The EB-3 visa is a long-term investment in stability, opportunity, and contribution that results in immigration benefits. But that opportunity only becomes real with careful planning, clear communication, and a deep understanding of how the process works.
But you’re not expected to handle this process by yourself.
At 360 Immigration Law Group, we help workers and employers move through the EB-3 process with clarity and confidence. Whether you’re just getting started or facing a delay, our team can help you take the next step — and keep the momentum going.
Reach out today for a personalized consultation. Contact us today!