What is the EB-3 Visa?
The EB-3 is an employment-based immigrant visa preference category for skilled workers, professionals, and other workers. A Third Preference applicant must have an approved Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, Form I-140, filed by the prospective employer. All such workers generally require labor certification approved by the Department of Labor.
Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Unskilled Workers (Other Workers) receive 28.6 percent of the yearly worldwide limit of employment-based immigrant visas Lluis LawU.S. Department of State plus any unused visas from the Employment First Preference and Second Preference categories.
Three EB-3 Subcategories:
Skilled Workers (EB-3A) - Persons whose jobs require a minimum of 2 years training or work experience that are not temporary or seasonal. Relevant post-secondary education may be considered as training.
Professionals (EB-3B) - Members of the professions whose jobs require at least a baccalaureate degree from a U.S. university or college or its foreign equivalent degree.
Unskilled Workers/Other Workers (EB-3C) - Persons capable of filling positions that require less than two years training or experience that are not temporary or seasonal.
Processing Times and Priority Dates
The average processing time for Form I-140 in 2024 was about 6.5 to 8 months. The average wait time from filing to green card issuance for EB-3 (excluding India and China) is around 36–48 months.
However, wait times vary significantly by country:
Rest of World (most countries): Approximately 2-3 years
India: Wait times of over twelve years U.S. Department of State
China: 3-5+ years
Philippines and Mexico: Similar to Rest of World
Your priority date is the date the PERM Application (Form ETA-9089) was filed by your employer with the Department of Labor U.S. Department of State. This date determines your place in line for a visa number.