Employers across the state are struggling to find enough workers for permanent, full-time positions. The state has reported 170,000 job openings in March 2025. This was a slight decrease from the 178,000 openings recorded in February, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The issue is no longer just about seasonal roles in tourism or agriculture. It is about everyday jobs in restaurants, hospitals, hotels, and warehouses that simply aren’t getting filled. Its seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 4.1% in April 2025. This is the same as in March.
The U.S. unemployment rate also stayed unchanged at 4.2% over the same period which is below the national average and businesses are still posting tens of thousands of job openings. It is a strange reality because jobs are available but workers are not. This growing gap is putting real pressure on Arizona’s economy.
The EB-3 visa could be a practical and long-term solution for both sides. It helps U.S. employers fill critical positions while giving international workers a legal path to permanent residency and a better future in America.
Arizona’s Workforce Crisis in 2025
Arizona has been growing fast. As of July 1, 2024, the estimated total population of Arizona is 7,621,703, according to the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity. More people means more demand for services and more jobs.
But even with population growth, employers are still short-staffed. From March to April 2025, Arizona’s non-seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment grew by 20,900 jobs, an increase of 0.6%. These jobs do not require college degrees.
EB-3 sponsors offer on-the-job training, steady income and a pathway to long-term stability. This means Arizona employers are having a harder time than most states when it comes to finding workers. Industries like home care, restaurant kitchens and hotel housekeeping are especially affected.
EB-3 visa jobs are permanent roles and not seasonal gigs and are crucial to keeping Arizona’s service economy running.
Why Local Hiring Isn’t Enough
Despite the high number of job openings, Arizona has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country. Several deeper issues are limiting the number of available workers and one of these is the aging population.
Arizona has a large and growing senior population. The Arizona Department of Health Services estimates that nearly 1 in 5 residents will be over the age of 65 by 2030. That is good for retirement communities but not for the labor market.
Another issue is labor force participation. In places like Apache and La Paz Counties, fewer than 50% of working-age adults are in the labor force. Reasons range from disability to lack of transportation and childcare.
Rapid population growth has also outpaced worker supply. The Phoenix Mesa Chandler area in Arizona continued to grow between 2023 and 2024. It gained nearly 85,000 new residents during that period, which made it one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the country.
Riverside, San Bernardino and Ontario in California also saw strong growth. These metro areas were among the largest population gainers in the United States. The Arizona Commerce Authority notes that while the state is growing fast, workforce development programs have not caught up.
Employers simply cannot find enough local applicants for entry-level roles that require physical presence like dishwashers, warehouse laborers, nursing aides and hotel staff. Remote work is obviously not an option for these fields.
What the EB-3 Visa Offers Arizona Employers
This is where the EB-3 visa comes in. It is a U.S. immigration program that allows employers to sponsor foreign workers for full-time and permanent positions. It is different from temporary work programs like H-2B, which are only for seasonal needs.
The EB-3 visa was built for long-term hiring. For Arizona employers, EB-3 workers bring several advantages:
- Stability: EB-3 workers commit to at least one year of employment. That means lower turnover, less retraining, and more consistent staffing.
- Reliability: Because the visa process is rigorous, workers are carefully vetted and genuinely motivated. They come ready to work and stay.
- Scalability: Businesses with ongoing staffing shortages especially in hospitality, logistics, and healthcare can plan their growth around a stable workforce.
In industries like food service and home health care where turnover can be as high as 70% per year, having permanent workers makes a major difference. It allows businesses to maintain quality, reduce costs and expand operations. Arizona’s Chamber of Commerce has stated that worker shortages are among the top challenges facing local businesses in 2025.
Arizona’s job market continued to show growth across several major sectors. Health care and social assistance led the way by adding 6,400 jobs. This reflects the state’s ongoing demand for medical and caregiving professionals.
Trade, transportation and utilities also saw strong growth with 3,400 new jobs. These industries support Arizona’s fast-growing population and expanding logistics network.
Professional and business services added 2,800 positions. This is showing a steady demand for office-based and technical roles. Leisure and hospitality gained 2,600 jobs. It was driven by Arizona’s robust tourism industry and the return of in-person events.
Construction continued to grow as well. Around 2,400 jobs were added to keep up with new housing and infrastructure projects. Other services expanded by 1,400 jobs while private educational services grew by 1,100.
Government jobs increased by 900 and the information sector added 800 positions. Natural resources and mining also saw modest growth with 200 new jobs but not all sectors experienced gains.
Manufacturing lost 900 jobs during the period. Financial activities also declined slightly with a loss of 200 positions. These small declines suggest a shifting balance in Arizona’s labor market with stronger growth in services and infrastructure-related industries.
Why Arizona Is a Good Option for EB-3 Applicants
Arizona is not just good for employers but it is also an attractive option for EB-3 visa applicants. For starters, the weather is warm year-round. That makes outdoor work more manageable and improves quality of life.
Phoenix averages 300 sunny days per year. Housing is still relatively affordable in many areas like in smaller cities like Yuma and Kingman, homes are well under $300,000. Rent is also more manageable compared to places like California or New York.
Arizona’s cities offer different types of opportunities:
Phoenix
The state’s economic center, with thousands of jobs in logistics, food service and senior care.
Tucson
Strong in healthcare and hospitality, with a lower cost of living than Phoenix.
Flagstaff
Seasonal tourism drives permanent needs in restaurants and hotels.
Smaller towns
Many have jobs in agriculture support, cleaning services and warehousing. EB-3 positions are entry-level and include full training. That means applicants do not need advanced skills or English fluency to get started.
Over time, they can move into supervisory roles or pursue certifications. Arizona also offers a family-friendly environment. Public schools are improving and the state has dozens of community colleges and vocational programs for those who want to continue learning.
How the EB-3 Visa Process Works
The EB-3 visa process takes time but it is a direct path to legal residency in the U.S.
- Job Offer: An employer in Arizona offers the applicant a permanent and full-time position.
- PERM Labor Certification: The employer proves to the U.S. Department of Labor that no qualified U.S. workers are available for the role.
- Form I-140 Petition: The employer submits a petition to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on the worker’s behalf.
- Visa Processing: If the petition is approved, the applicant either interviews at a U.S. Embassy abroad or adjusts status if already in the U.S. with eligibility.
- Arrival and Start: Once the visa is granted, the worker enters the U.S., starts their job and receives a green card.
As of 2025, the wait time for EB-3 visas is more than 2 years after the PERM process for most applicants outside India and China. It is not immediate but it is a clear and legal path to a better future. EB-3 workers can bring their spouse and children (under 21) with them.
Families also become eligible for green cards, children can attend school and spouses can work without restrictions.
A Win-Win for Arizona and Global Workers
The EB-3 program offers a realistic path forward. Arizona’s labor shortage is not going away soon. The state’s economy is growing faster than its workforce and local hiring alone cannot meet demand. Without enough people to fill critical roles, businesses face higher costs, slower service and limited growth.
The EB-3 visa offers a smart and sustainable solution. It gives employers access to motivated and long-term workers for the jobs they cannot fill locally. It also gives international applicants a legal path to work and live in the U.S. permanently.
This program helps stabilize the labor market in one of the country’s fastest-growing states. For those willing to work hard in food service, hospitality, logistics, or home care, Arizona offers opportunity, sunshine, and a real future.
