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EB-3 Visa
EB-3 Visa: Skilled Workers and Professionals Guide
This article contains tops tips from our experts, backed by in-depth research.
Last Updated: 23 Jul 2025
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The EB-3 visa grants U.S. green cards to skilled workers (2+ years’ experience), professionals (bachelor’s degree), and some unskilled workers with a permanent job offer and labor certification. The process is multi-step and involves employer sponsorship, but allows for family inclusion and a pathway to permanent residency.
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In This Article, You Will Discover:
Key Takeaways
- The EB-3 visa covers skilled workers, professionals, and other workers, requiring at least two years of experience, a bachelor’s degree, or less than two years of training for certain positions.
- Employers must sponsor the applicant, including obtaining a labor certification and proving that no qualified U.S. workers are available for the position.
- Documentation includes proof of qualifications, job offer, and labor certification, with specific requirements varying by subcategory.
- The processing time can vary widely, often taking several years, depending on country-specific quotas and the applicant’s priority date.
- Holders can apply for U.S. permanent residency, offering a path to citizenship through naturalization after meeting residency requirements.
What Is the EB-3 Visa?
The EB-3 visa is the third preference employment-based green card category.
It allows U.S. employers to sponsor foreign workers for permanent residency in skilled, professional, and certain unskilled roles that cannot otherwise be filled by qualified U.S. applicants.
EB-3 visa holders and their families (spouses and unmarried children under 21) can live, work, and study permanently in the United States.
Eligibility and Categories
Skilled Workers (EB-3A)
- At least two years of relevant work experience or training (not temporary or seasonal).
- A full-time, permanent job offer from a U.S. employer.
- PERM labor certification showing no qualified U.S. worker is available.
Professionals (EB-3B)
- U.S. bachelor’s degree or foreign equivalent (not substitutable by experience).
- The job must require at least a baccalaureate degree.
- Full-time, permanent job offer and approved labor certification.
Other Workers (EB-3C / Unskilled)
- Able to perform unskilled labor requiring less than two years of training or experience.
- Offer of permanent, non-seasonal, full-time employment.
- Labor certification required. Only 10,000 visas are issued annually in this subcategory.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Employer Preparation
- Prevailing Wage Determination
- PERM Labor Certification
- I-140 Immigrant Petition
- Waiting for Priority Date to Become Current
- Adjustment of Status (in the U.S.) or Consular Processing (abroad)
Required Documents Checklist
- Valid passport (at least 6 months validity)
- Approved PERM labor certification (ETA Form 9089)
- I-140 approval notice
- Job offer/contract
- Academic credentials with translations (if applicable)
- Employment verification letters
- Birth, marriage, and (if applicable) divorce certificates
- Medical exam results (Form I-693)
- Police clearance (for consular processing)
- Tax documents/pay stubs (if already in the U.S.)
- Form I-485 (for adjustment of status) or DS-260 (for consular interview)
- Photographs meeting U.S. visa requirements.
EB-3 Visa Benefits and Drawbacks
Key Benefits
- Path to U.S. permanent residency and eventual citizenship.
- Spouses and unmarried children under 21 are included.
- Access to wider job market, ability to change employers (after meeting initial requirements).
- Access to U.S. credit, home loans, government programs, and retirement plans.
- No annual lottery (unlike H-1B); available for a wide range of occupations.
Potential Drawbacks
- Processing is lengthy, with common wait times of several years due to backlogs, especially for India, China, and the Philippines.
- Labor certification is mandatory and complex; strict documentary and recruitment standards apply.
- Limited flexibility: “Other workers” subcategory is heavily oversubscribed with an annual quota of only 10,000 visas.
- Changing employers or job categories before receiving permanent residency may jeopardize approval.
EB-3 vs. EB-2 vs. EB-1: Key Differences
Common Questions
Can my family join me on the EB-3 visa?
Do I need a job offer?
Is the EB-3 suitable for nurses or IT workers?
How long does EB-3 processing take in 2025?
What are common reasons for denial?
In Conclusion
The EB-3 visa provides an accessible route to U.S. permanent residency for skilled and unskilled workers as well as professionals.
With thorough preparation and a qualified sponsor, applicants—and their families—can secure long-term opportunities, stable employment, and a clear path to U.S. citizenship.
Due diligence, patience, and careful attention to every step of the process are essential for success.
Disclaimer: The information in this guide is accurate as of July 2025. U.S. immigration policies, quotas, and procedures may change; always confirm with official sources or seek professional advice before applying.
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