EB-3 Visa

U.S. Permanent Residency Through Employer Sponsorship | EB-3 Employment-Based Green Card

EB3 Visa USA: Employment-Based Third Preference (Green Card)

The EB3 visa (also written as EB-3 visa, US EB3 visa, or EB3 visa USA) is an employment-based immigrant pathway that can lead to a U.S. green card. Unlike self-petition routes, the EB-3 category is typically employer-sponsored and usually requires a PERM labor certification and a permanent, full-time job offer from a U.S. employer.

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By Diana Ruiz

Senior Visa Consultant & Team Lead – Corporate Visa Solutions

EB-3 Visa at a Glance

Visa type: Employment-based immigrant category (EB-3)
Who it’s for: Professionals, skilled workers, and certain “other workers” with a qualifying U.S. job offer
Key benefit: Direct EB3 visa to green card pathway through a permanent role
Core petition: Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker)
PERM stage: PERM labor certification is usually required before I-140 (with limited exceptions such as Schedule A roles)
Green card stage: Form I-485 (if in the U.S. and eligible) or consular processing (if abroad)
Fees: USCIS filing fees + (if applicable) Department of State immigrant visa fees; optional premium processing where eligible

INDEX:

What Is the EB3 Visa and What Is It Used for in the United States?

The EB3 visa is an employment-based immigrant category that allows qualifying foreign nationals to obtain U.S. permanent residency through a permanent, full-time job offered by a U.S. employer. In most cases, the employer must first complete the PERM labor certification process to confirm there are no qualified, available U.S. workers for the role at the required wage.

EB3 Visa USA: Who Can Apply and What Types of EB-3 Categories Exist?

The EB3 visa USA category generally includes three subcategories:

EB-3 Professionals: Roles that require at least a U.S. bachelor’s degree (or foreign equivalent).
EB-3 Skilled Workers: Roles requiring at least 2 years of training or experience.
EB-3 Other Workers: Certain roles requiring less than 2 years of training/experience (sometimes referred to as EB3 visa unskilled worker, though the process still requires a real job offer and employer sponsorship).

Your category is determined by the job’s minimum requirements in the PERM filing and your ability to meet them.

EB3 Visa Requirements: Eligibility Criteria, PERM Labor Certification and Mandatory Documentation

The EB3 visa requirements typically include two layers:

1) Employer and job requirements (PERM stage)

In most EB-3 cases, the U.S. employer must:

Define the role, minimum requirements, and worksite location
Offer the required wage level
Complete recruitment steps under PERM rules
File PERM with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)

2) Worker eligibility (your profile)

You must document you meet the job’s minimum requirements, which may include:

Degree evaluations (if relying on a foreign qualification)
Experience letters proving required years of experience/training
Licenses where applicable (role-dependent)
Identity/civil documents for immigrant processing

Because EB-3 is role-specific, consistency between the PERM job requirements, your evidence, and the I-140 petition is critical.

How to Apply for EB3 Visa: Step-by-Step from PERM to I-140 to Green Card

The EB-3 process follows a structured flow:

PERM planning & recruitment aligned to DOL requirements
PERM filing and approval (in most cases)
File Form I-140 with USCIS (employer petition)
Track immigrant visa availability using the U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin
Complete the green card stage via:
- Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) if eligible in the U.S., or
- Consular processing if applying from abroad

Dependants: Spouses and unmarried children under 21 may typically immigrate as derivatives with the principal applicant under employment-based immigrant rules.

EB3 Visa Application UK: How to Apply from the United Kingdom

Applicants applying from the UK typically proceed through an employer-led PERM (where required), then the employer files the I-140 with USCIS. Once the priority date is current under the relevant EB3 visa bulletin category, the case moves to consular processing through the National Visa Center and the U.S. Embassy/Consulate, unless the applicant is eligible for adjustment of status in the U.S.

EB3 Visa Cost: Government Fees and Typical Cost Elements

The EB3 visa cost depends on your pathway and which filings apply. Typical cost elements include:

PERM-related costs (including required recruitment steps)
Form I-140 filing fee (USCIS)
Form I-485 filing fee (if adjusting status in the U.S.)
Premium processing fee (optional, when eligible, via Form I-907)
Department of State immigrant visa fees (if using consular processing)
Additional practical costs (translations, credential evaluations, medical exam at the green card stage, couriering)

For the current official amounts, always rely on USCIS and Department of State fee pages, as fees can change.

There is no single universal EB3 visa jobs list—eligibility depends on a specific permanent job offer and whether the employer can complete the required sponsorship steps. That said, common EB-3 scenarios often include:

EB-3 Professionals: engineers, accountants, business analysts, certain IT roles (role requirements must match a bachelor’s degree)
EB-3 Skilled Workers: technicians, supervisors, specialist trades, manufacturing specialists (typically requiring 2+ years of training/experience)
Other Workers: certain operational roles where the employer can meet PERM requirements (availability can be more restricted in this subcategory)

EB3 visa for nurses: Some healthcare roles may qualify under special handling rules (often discussed under “Schedule A” concepts), which can change the usual labor certification mechanics. The exact strategy depends on the role, licensing, and the employer’s setup.

EB3 Visa Processing Time: What to Expect and What Impacts Timelines

EB3 visa processing time varies significantly because it depends on multiple stages:

PERM timeline (recruitment + DOL processing)
USCIS I-140 processing (standard vs. premium processing, if eligible)
Visa bulletin movement (priority date becoming current for your category and country of chargeability)
Green card stage timing (I-485 processing in the U.S. or consular scheduling abroad)

In practice, the visa bulletin is often the biggest wildcard for overall time-to-green-card planning.

Visa Availability and Priority Dates (EB3 Visa Bulletin)

Green card timing is affected by immigrant visa availability, published monthly in the Visa Bulletin. The EB-3 category can move forward or backward depending on annual limits and demand. USCIS also publishes which chart to use for adjustment of status filings, which may impact when someone can file Form I-485.

Premium Processing for EB-3 (When Available)

USCIS may allow premium processing for certain I-140 petitions, which can speed up the I-140 decision timeline. Premium processing does not bypass PERM (if required) and does not override visa bulletin backlogs—it only accelerates the petition adjudication stage where eligible.

Why Choose Corporate Visa Solutions for Your EB-3 Strategy

Managing an EB-3 case requires careful coordination between PERM strategy, petition evidence, and visa bulletin planning.

At Corporate Visa Solutions, we:

Assess EB-3 category fit (Professional / Skilled Worker / Other Worker)
Align PERM job requirements and documentation strategy
Prepare the I-140 petition package and supporting documentation
Plan timelines using USCIS processing and visa bulletin resources

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is EB3 visa?

The EB3 visa is an employment-based immigrant category that can lead to a U.S. green card through a permanent job offer and employer sponsorship, typically involving PERM labor certification and an I-140 petition.

What are the EB3 visa requirements?

EB3 visa requirements usually include a qualifying permanent job offer, (in most cases) PERM labor certification, and proof that the worker meets the job’s minimum education/training/experience requirements.

What is the EB3 visa bulletin and why does it matter?

The EB3 visa bulletin is the monthly publication that shows immigrant visa availability and priority date cutoffs. It determines when an EB-3 applicant can move to the green card stage (I-485 or consular processing).

What is the typical EB3 visa processing time?

EB3 visa processing time varies based on PERM timing, I-140 adjudication (standard vs. premium where eligible), visa bulletin backlogs, and the final green card stage (I-485 or consular processing).

Is there an EB3 visa jobs list, and can “unskilled workers” qualify?

There’s no fixed EB3 visa jobs list—eligibility depends on a real job offer and sponsorship steps. Some roles may fit the “Other Worker” track (sometimes called EB3 visa unskilled worker), but availability and timelines can be more constrained.

What is the EB3 visa cost?

Costs may include PERM-related expenses, USCIS fees for I-140 (and I-485 if applicable), optional premium processing fees, and Department of State immigrant visa fees if using consular processing, plus practical costs like medical exams and translations.

How can we support your U.S. expansion?

If your company is planning to transfer employees to the United States, our team can help you identify the right U.S. visa.