EB-3 Immigrant Visa (Skilled Workers, Professionals & Other Workers)

The EB-3 Visa is a U.S. employment-based immigrant visa designed for skilled workers, professionals, and other workers who wish to obtain permanent residency through employment. It is ideal for individuals with relevant work experience or education who can fill positions for which qualified U.S. workers are not available.

Key Features of the EB-3 Visa:

• Visa Categories: The EB-3 visa includes three main subcategories:
  • EB-3A – Professionals: For individuals with a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent who have a job offer requiring at least a bachelor’s degree.
  • EB-3B – Skilled Workers: For individuals with at least two years of experience or training in a skilled occupation, with a permanent, full-time job offer in the U.S.
  • EB-3C – Other Workers: For individuals performing unskilled labor (less than two years of experience) that is not temporary or seasonal, where U.S. workers are unavailable.
• Labor Certification (PERM): Before filing an EB-3 petition, the U.S. employer must obtain a PERM Labor Certification from the Department of Labor (DOL), confirming that there are no qualified U.S. workers available for the position and that hiring a foreign worker will not negatively affect local wages.
• Form I-140 Petition: Once the labor certification is approved, the employer must file Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker) with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on behalf of the foreign worker.
• Priority Date: The filing date of the PERM application becomes the applicant’s priority date. Applicants must wait until their priority date becomes current based on the U.S. Visa Bulletin before applying for their green card.
• Visa Availability: The EB-3 category is subject to annual numerical limits and country-specific quotas, which may cause waiting periods depending on the applicant’s nationality.
• Adjustment of Status or Consular Processing: Once the EB-3 petition is approved and the priority date is current:
  • If in the U.S., the applicant may apply for Adjustment of Status (Form I-485).
  • If outside the U.S., the applicant must complete Consular Processing at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
• Dependents: Spouses and unmarried children under 21 years of age may accompany the EB-3 principal applicant under derivative visa categories (E-34 for spouses and E-35 for children).
• Permanent Residency: Upon approval of the EB-3 application and lawful admission to the U.S., visa holders receive Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card) status, granting them the right to live and work permanently in the United States.

The EB-3 visa provides an excellent opportunity for skilled and professional workers to obtain permanent residency in the U.S. through employment sponsorship. At Visa2Migrate, we simplify the process for both employers and employees, ensuring that each application meets all U.S. Department of Labor and USCIS standards.