EB-3 Visa

The EB-3 visa program was established to allow employers to leverage the specialized skill sets and experience of foreign nationals by granting long-term employment opportunities in the U.S. This visa program is one of five designated employment-based visa programs that applies to professionals and other workers. Education, specialized skills, and relevant experience are evaluated to determine the eligibility of candidates under the EB-3 program. Currently, there are three categories umbrellaed under the EB-3 program monitored by the U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The EB-3 visa broadly encompasses a myriad of professional work types. Find out if Let’s take a look at who qualifies and the processing conditions for prospective applicants.

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EB-3 Visa Types

There are several options available for foreign nationals to reside in the U.S. as guest workers under the EB-3 program. The following options are determined based on merit and ability verified through meeting credential requirements and experiential criteria:

Skilled Worker. Under this category, skilled workers are defined as people whose jobs require a minimum of 2 years of training or experience as outlined on their labor certification. The job cannot be temporary or seasonal in nature. Education, training, or experience must adequately satisfy the requirements of the job opportunity. Relevant post-secondary education may be considered as training. The work performed must not displace qualified workers in the U.S. from accepting job opportunities. Lastly, hopeful candidates must obtain a labor certification and a permanent, full-time job offer before petitioning for work under an EB-3 visa.
Professional. Applicants in this category must hold a U.S. baccalaureate (B.A.) or an equivalent degree in the related field. The B.A. should also be the normal requirement for entry into the occupation. Education and experience may not be substituted for a B.A. For professional applicants, simply having the degree is not enough — the position itself you are seeking to fill must also require a bachelor’s degree. Again, eligibility for this category is determined by verifying that you are performing work for which qualified workers are not available in the U.S. Obtaining a labor certification and a permanent, full-time job offer before petitioning for work under an EB-3 visa is also required when petitioning as a professional under the EB-3 program.
Unskilled Worker. Workers in this category must demonstrate their ability to perform unskilled labor (requiring less than two years training or experience), that is not of a temporary or seasonal nature. The work performed must not compete with available qualified workers in the U.S. The requirements specified on the labor certification must be met with a permanent, full-time job position offered.

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EB-3 Visa Application Process

There are several steps to be completed under the EB-3 visa process, with the employer initiating the first step. To begin, the employer must file a petition on behalf of the employee using a Form I-140. Proof that the offered wage will be continuously paid must be presented by the employer to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Evidence that the wage will be provided for until the foreign national employee can get permanent resident status is also required. The following steps are necessary to complete an I-140 form and petition on behalf of the guest worker:

Employer (or petitioner) must obtain an approved application for Permanent Labor Certification from the U.S. Department of Labor that shows their ability to continue to pay the offered wage as of the priority date
A completed Form I-140 must be submitted
Submit the Filing Fee(s.
Submit evidence
Sign and file Form I-140

EB-3 Visa Caps

A limited number of EB-3 visas are issued per year. 140,000 immigrant visas are issued for the employment category each fiscal year. Nearly 28.6%, or around 40,040 visas, are allocated for the EB-3 program. Remaining applicants who lie outside of the cap or quota are shuffled back into the lottery for the preceding year until the next drawing occurs.

EB-3 Family Eligibility Status

EB-3 recipients can bring immediate family members with them. A legal spouse of a skilled worker or professional will have access to an E34 visa, whereas the spouse of an “other” worker type can seek admission under an EW-4 visa. Unmarried children under 21 years old will usually come under the E35 for skilled workers and professionals, or under the EW-5 visa for “other” worker types. Spouses have the opportunity to apply for an Employment Authorization Document while waiting for their permanent residency application process to go through. This provides spouses with the opportunity to work freely in the United States.

EB-3 Visa Timeline

Because the requirements for the EB-3 visa are lower, this program is more accessible to a diverse group of foreign national guest workers. As a result, the popularity of this program can mean longer waiting and processing times. Here’s a timeline of what to expect when petitioning under the EB-3 program:

1-3 Months. The DOL calculates a wage determination based on the job position to be filled.
2 Months. The advertisement and recruitment process will take about 30 days on each end.

4-6 Months. The DOL will make a decision concerning the request for the labor certification via the PERM processing system.
15 Days or 6 Months. The gap in this portion of the timeline can be explained by noting whether the I-140 Form will be processed with or without premium processing. Premium processing expedites this service to be done within 15 calendar days. Without premium processing, the USCIS will align the petition issuance with the current priority date. The wait time for your priority date varies depending on counselor or administrative processing and the applicant’s intended status within the U.S. Working with an immigration attorney can help demystify the overall process.
4-6 Months. Last, the I-485 form will need to be processed. There is no way to expedite this service. Depending on the service center in charge of your case, the waiting period can exceed 6 months.

With all of the steps involved, your EB-3 visa processing time can take from a year and a half to three years to complete. If you are adjusting your status from another temporary or nonimmigrant visa program and currently reside in the U.S. then you will be able to bypass the I-485 process. Petitioners who do not currently reside in the U.S. will need to go through consular processing. This will require setting up an appointment with a U.S. consulate or embassy. At the appointment, an interview will be conducted to determine the legitimacy of your case. The consulate representative will ask questions to establish that you are who you say you are and that your intent to live permanently in the U.S. under EB-3 status is above board.

EB-3 Visa Period of Validity and Fees

The EB-3 visa’s period of validity is determined in accordance with the period outlined by the LCA. Maximum validity is reached at 24 months, after which, the validity must be renewed. Fees for the EB-3 green card will depend on certain factors, such as your location and whether you are using the regular method or premium processing service. Fees to be paid by the employer and employee are as follows:

I-140 fee: $700 paid by the employer
I-907 fee for premium processing: $1,440 – optional and paid by the employer
I-485 Status Adjustment fee: $1,140 paid by the employee
Consular Processing fee: $445 paid by the employee
Other fees may include the costs of advertisement for the PERM Labor recruitment process by the employer. You may also want to factor in the cost of hiring an immigration lawyer, which is optional and negotiable, but very important.

Farmer Law is Here to Help

The EB-3 visa program is a great green card option for skilled, professional, and other types of workers, offering employment-based residency that can lead down a pathway to citizenship. Roughly 40,000 EB3 visas are awarded to people each year. Hopeful candidates will want to ensure they are selected for one of those spots. Having an immigration attorney who is well-versed in the visa process can maximize one’s chances of selection by guiding the applicant to gather and complete accurate documentation.

The attorneys at Farmer Law are available to employers and employees looking for guidance to find a suitable pathway of employment-based immigration. If you feel the EB-3 visa is not the right fit for your needs, be sure to see the other visa types available for hopeful candidates in an employment-based capacity. Schedule an initial consultation with our team of legal immigration experts to find out more about what options are available regarding your employment visa eligibility.

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EB-3 Visa Types

EB-3 Visa Application Process

EB-3 Visa Caps

EB-3 Family Eligibility Status

EB-3 Visa Timeline

EB-3 Visa Period of Validity and Fees

Farmer Law is Here to Help

What Our Clients Are Saying

Recent Articles

Adela Niño – Core Values Champion – Farmer Law PC

Farmer Law PC Ranked 92nd on the Financial Times’ Americas Fastest-Growing Companies 2023

Farmer Law PC Ranked No. 60 on Inc.’s List of the Fastest Growing Companies in the Southwest Region

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