Immigrant Visa

EB-3 Unskilled Workers

Within the EB-3 category, the Other Workers or Unskilled Workers subcategory is reserved for jobs that require less than two years of training, education, or experience. These positions often exist in industries like hospitality, food processing, agriculture, manufacturing, janitorial services, caregiving, and general labor. The role must be permanent and full-time—seasonal or temporary roles do not qualify. For example, a hotel housekeeper or a food packaging line worker could qualify, but a short-term farm laborer under H-2B would not. This pathway is particularly valuable for U.S. employers struggling to find domestic workers for entry-level roles, while also providing foreign workers and their families with a chance at permanent residency.

In Short – EB-3 Unskilled Workers (Other Workers):

Jobs requiring less than 2 years of training or experience
Examples: Farm laborers, caregivers, food processing staff

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

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

PERM Labor Certification

8–12 months

Form I-140 Petition

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

Priority Date Wait

1–10 years (depending on backlog and country)

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

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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

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.