Immigrant Visa

EB-3 Skilled Workers

Immigrant Visa / USA / EB-3 Skilled Workers

EB-3 Skilled Workers

The EB-3 Skilled Worker visa is designed for individuals who have at least two years of training or job experience in their field. These positions are not temporary or seasonal and typically require a certain level of expertise to perform. Skilled roles can be in healthcare, construction, hospitality, or technical trades, where the U.S. labor market often faces shortages. To qualify, applicants must present proof of their experience or training and receive a permanent, full-time job offer from a U.S. employer. The process involves the employer completing the PERM Labor Certification, filing the I-140 Immigrant Petition, and then moving toward Green Card issuance once the applicant's priority date becomes current. For many workers with hands-on skills, this category provides a stable and realistic pathway to U.S. permanent residency.

In Short – EB-3 Skilled Workers:

  • Jobs requiring at least 2 years of training or work experience
  • Examples: Electricians, chefs, healthcare technicians

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for an EB-3 visa, applicants must meet specific requirements based on their job category. The process involves collaboration between the employer and the foreign worker to ensure all legal and procedural steps are completed.

  • Must have a permanent, full-time job offer from a U.S. employer
  • Employer must complete the Labor Certification (PERM) process
  • Employer must file Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker)
  • Applicant must meet the specific requirements of Skilled, Professional, or Unskilled category

Complete Guide

EB-3 Skilled Workers Visa Information

Step-by-Step EB-3 Visa Process

Job Offer

A U.S. employer offers you a permanent job.

Labor Certification (PERM)

Employers test the U.S. labor market to prove no qualified U.S. worker is available.

Business Immigration

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Form I-140 Petition

Employer files Form I-140 with USCIS. Establishes your eligibility and “priority date.”

Visa Bulletin & Priority Date

Applicants wait for their priority date to become current as per the monthly Visa Bulletin.
Retrogression (backlogs) can cause delays, especially for applicants from India, China, Mexico, and the Philippines.

Adjustment of Status or Consular Processing

If inside the U.S.: File Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status).
If outside the U.S.: Go through Consular Processing at a U.S. embassy.

Green Card Approval

Once approved, you and eligible dependents receive U.S. permanent residency.

Timline

For EB3-Visa

Select Visa Types

PERM Labor Certification

8–12 months
Complete Online Registrations

Form I-140 Petition

6–9 months (premium processing available: 15 days)
Documents and Payments

Priority Date Wait

1–10 years (depending on backlog and country)
Receive your Visa Now

Consular Processing / Adjustment of Status

6–12 months

EB-3 Visa Cost Estimation

The following are approximate costs associated with the EB-3 Visa process. Actual costs may vary depending on the applicant’s situation and country regulations.

  • PERM filing: $700+ (paid by employer)
  • Form I-140: $715 (paid by employer)
  • Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status): $1,440 (paid by applicant if in the U.S.)
  • Medical exams, biometrics, translations, legal fees – vary

Note: These are approximate costs. Fees may vary based on your case, employer, and country regulations.

Benefits

Visa consulting services that provide expert assistance for travel, work, study, and residency. You can trust our work to be of the highest caliber as we uphold honesty, reliability, and compliance with immigration regulations. Full-service visa assistance means we manage the complexities of the process, ensuring accuracy and timely approvals.

  • Direct pathway to a Green Card.
  • Covers a wide range of workers (Skilled, Professional, Unskilled).
  • Family benefits – spouse and children under 21 also get Green Cards.
  • Opens long-term career and settlement opportunities in the U.S.
  • Eligibility for U.S. citizenship after 5 years of permanent residency.

Limitation of EB3-Visa

Visa consulting services that provide expert assistance for travel, work, study, and residency. You can trust our work to be of the highest caliber as we uphold honesty, reliability, and compliance with immigration regulations. Full-service visa assistance means we manage the complexities of the process, ensuring accuracy and timely approvals.

  • Long waiting times due to visa retrogression.
  • Dependence on employer sponsorship.
  • Limited job flexibility (must initially work with the sponsoring employer).
  • Strict documentation and compliance requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

For each visa applicant, we take a tailored approach to streamlining the application process. A creative and proactive strategy is something we are proud of implementing! Our goal is to ensure a smooth process for every traveler.

Yes, but only if you receive a permanent job offer from a U.S. employer willing to sponsor you for EB-3. After graduation, many students move from F-1 → OPT → Employer sponsorship → EB-3 Green Card. You must maintain valid status until your Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) is approved.

Yes. H-1B holders often transition to EB-3 because they already have a U.S. employer. If your employer is willing to file a PERM Labor Certification and I-140 petition, you can adjust status from H-1B to EB-3 while legally staying in the U.S.

Yes, this is possible and is sometimes done when EB-3 priority dates are moving faster than EB-2. Your employer must file a new I-140 under EB-3, but you can retain your original priority date from EB-2.

Generally no, because EB-3 requires a permanent job offer and employer sponsorship. Tourist visas are temporary and do not allow work. However, you may apply from abroad after securing an employer sponsor.

Yes, TPS holders can apply for EB-3 if they have a qualifying employer sponsor. But it may involve consular processing outside the U.S. depending on their status history.

Generally no. Being out of status makes the EB-3 process very difficult. In some rare cases, waivers or consular processing may be possible, but it requires strong legal guidance.

Yes, but only if you have completed or obtained a waiver for the 2-year home residency requirement (if applicable). Then, you can transition with employer sponsorship.

Yes, as long as they are willing to sponsor you and start the PERM process. You must maintain valid OPT status until your I-485 is filed and approved.

Not always. If you are in valid status (F-1, H-1B, J-1 with waiver), you may adjust status inside the U.S. If not, you may need to go through consular processing abroad.

Yes, but you need your own employer sponsor. Your H-4 status is tied to your spouse, but EB-3 allows you to apply independently if an employer sponsors you.

Yes. You may apply for multiple immigrant categories at once (this is called “concurrent filing”). You will use whichever category becomes current first.