The EB-3 visa is an employment-based immigrant visa that allows qualified foreign workers to become lawful permanent residents of the United States through employer sponsorship. Unlike temporary work visas, the EB-3 visa is designed for permanent employment and leads to a green card if all requirements are met.
It covers a wide range of occupations, including professional positions that require a bachelor's degree, skilled jobs that require at least two years of training or experience and entry-level or unskilled positions that require less than two years of experience.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employers reported approximately 7.4 million job openings in June 2025. This reflects continued hiring needs. The EB-3 category is one of the most practical pathways to permanent residence because it includes jobs in industries experiencing ongoing labor shortages, such as hospitality, food service, manufacturing, construction, caregiving, logistics and other essential sectors.
Obtaining an EB-3 visa involves several government agencies, multiple applications and waiting periods that can make the process seem confusing. Whether you are applying from your home country or are already in the United States on a temporary status such as H-2B, F-1, J-1, or another eligible nonimmigrant visa, understanding each stage of the process will help you set realistic expectations and prepare the documents you will need along the way.
The EB-3 process is not the fastest but it follows a well-defined legal framework. Once you understand each stage and the role of your employer, the path becomes much easier to follow.
EB-3 visa at a glance
| Question | Quick answer |
|---|---|
| What is the EB-3 visa? | An employer-sponsored green card for foreign workers |
| Who can apply? | Skilled workers, professionals, and other (unskilled) workers |
| Do I need a degree? | No, not for the Other Workers path |
| Do I need a job offer? | Yes, from a U.S. employer |
| Can I self-petition? | No, an employer must sponsor you |
| How long does it take? | About 48 months from start to finish |
| Who pays? | The employer pays PERM costs; you pay your own attorney and filing fees |
| Can I bring my family? | Yes, your spouse and children under 21 |
| Where do I check wait times? | The monthly Visa Bulletin |
What is the EB-3 visa?
The EB-3 visa is a green card category for foreign workers who have a permanent, full-time job offer from a U.S. employer. It leads to lawful permanent residence, which means you can live and work anywhere in the United States. You can read more about what the EB-3 visa is and who qualifies in our glossary.
The EB-3 category has three groups. The right group depends on the job, not on how skilled you are.
The three types of EB-3 workers
| EB-3 group | Who it is for | Typical requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled workers | Jobs that need at least two years of training or experience | Two or more years of experience or training |
| Professionals | Jobs that need a U.S. bachelor's degree or a foreign equivalent | A bachelor's degree |
| Other workers (unskilled) | Entry-level jobs that need less than two years of training | No degree, less than two years of training |
The Other Workers path, with no degree required
Most people who ask about the EB-3 visa fit the Other Workers group. These are entry-level jobs like fast food crew, cook, server, housekeeping, caregiving, warehouse and commercial cleaning. They do not require a college degree or special training.
You still need to be healthy enough to do the work and able to meet the employer's basic job requirements. You can see the kinds of roles employers sponsor on our EB-3 jobs list, and learn how the program works on our EB-3 services page.
EB-3 eligibility: do you qualify as a worker?
You qualify for the EB-3 visa if a U.S. employer offers you a permanent, full-time job and agrees to sponsor you. You cannot apply on your own. This is the single most important rule to understand.
Here is what most workers need to qualify for an entry-level EB-3 job:
- A permanent and full-time job offer from a U.S. employer who will sponsor you.
- Basic conversational English. You do not need to be fluent, and an accent is fine. You must be able to understand your manager, follow safety instructions and speak with co-workers.
- The physical ability to do the job. Many roles are fast-paced and physically demanding.
- No degree or prior U.S. experience for Other Workers roles.
There is no strict upper age limit in the law. In practice, employers prefer applicants who can handle full-time work and commit to the job for the long term. You can review the full EB-3 eligibility details on our services page.
How the EB-3 visa process works, step by step
The EB-3 visa process moves through five main stages, handled by three U.S. government agencies. Here is the full step-by-step path for workers.
- Prevailing wage and PERM labor certification.
Your employer asks the U.S. Department of Labor for a prevailing wage then advertises the job to test the U.S. labor market. If no qualified U.S. worker takes the role, the employer files the PERM labor certification. The date the PERM is filed becomes your priority date, which is your place in line.
- I-140 immigrant petition.
After PERM approval, your employer files Form I-140 with USCIS. This confirms the job is real and that the employer can pay the wage. Employers can pay for premium processing to get a decision faster.
- Wait for your priority date. Each month, the U.S. Department of State publishes the Visa Bulletin. You wait until your priority date is current for your country.
- Final green card step.
You file for adjustment of status if you are in the U.S. You go through consular processing at a U.S. embassy if you are abroad. This includes a medical exam and an interview.
- You become a permanent resident.
You receive your green card, and your spouse and children under 21 receive theirs too.
For a full picture of the steps on the eb3.work side, from your application to your first day at work, see the eb3.work process.
How long does the EB-3 visa take in 2026?
The EB-3 visa takes about 48 months from start to finish for many Other Workers cases. That total covers PERM, the I-140 petition, the wait for a visa number, and the final green card step. Some cases move a little faster, and some take longer.
The Department of Labor is the longest single stage. According to DOL processing data, PERM review now takes about 16 to 17 months on its own. Here is how the stages add up.
| Stage | Who handles it | Rough time in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Prevailing wage | Department of Labor | About 2 to 3 months |
| Recruitment (labor market test) | Employer | About 2 to 3 months |
| PERM labor certification | Department of Labor | About 16 to 17 months |
| I-140 petition | USCIS | About 6 to 12 months, or 15 business days with premium processing |
| Visa Bulletin wait | Department of State | Varies by country |
| Final step (green card) | USCIS or a U.S. embassy | Several months |
One thing to know is that the Visa Bulletin wait can move backward and not just forward. This is called retrogression and it happens when demand is higher than the visas available. You can track the full breakdown on our EB-3 processing times hub which we update as new data comes out.
There is also potential immigration reform on the horizon. Proposed legislation such as the Dignity Act of 2025 aims to reduce visa backlogs by changing how family members are counted toward annual employment-based visa limits. Applicants should continue planning their immigration strategy based on current laws and processing timelines
EB-3 wait times by country (current Visa Bulletin)
About 10,000 EB-3 visas can be set aside each year for Other Workers. Your EB-3 wait after the I-140 depends on your country of birth. Most countries share a "Rest of World" line and move together. A few countries with high demand wait much longer.
According to the U.S. Department of State's July 2026 Visa Bulletin, here are the current EB-3 final action dates.
| Country of birth | EB-3 final action date (July 2026) |
|---|---|
| Most countries (Rest of World) | August 1, 2024 |
| Mexico | August 1, 2024 |
| China | December 22, 2021 |
| India | January 1, 2014 |
| Philippines | August 1, 2023 |
These dates are a snapshot and change every month, so always check the latest bulletin. If your priority date is earlier than the date for your country, you can move to the final step. India and China wait the longest because so many people from those countries apply.
Other countries usually move much faster. That is why most eb3.work applicants come from Rest of World countries. If you are from the Philippines, see our guide on how to get an EB-3 visa job from the Philippines.
How much does the EB-3 visa cost, and who pays?
The costs are split between the employer and the worker, and this is where many applicants are surprised. The employer pays all PERM-related costs by law. You pay your own immigration fees and USCIS filing fees for the later stages of your own case.
A very common myth is that the employer pays for everything and that you can repay them after you start working. That is not how it works. The employer sponsors the job and covers PERM. Your fees cover your I-140 stage onward, and you pay them during the process, not after you arrive.
At EB3.Work, the total fee to the worker is $13,500. That includes all immigration attorney fees and USCIS filing fees not related to PERM. There are no recruitment or placement fees. You can see the full breakdown on our services page, and you can confirm current government form fees on the USCIS fee schedule.
Is the EB-3 program legitimate, or a scam?
The EB-3 visa is a real and legal U.S. government green card program. It has existed for decades. The risk is not the program itself. The risk is dishonest recruiters who misuse the name. Here are the warning signs of a scam:
- Big promises with little explanation, like a "guaranteed" green card or a fast result.
- Upfront placement or recruitment fees to "get you a job."
- A recruiter who will not name the employer, the attorney, or the steps.
- Pressure to pay quickly before you understand the process.
A real EB-3 case leaves a paper trail you can check. You get a PERM case number you can track on the DOL website. You get an I-140 receipt from USCIS. The employer is a real business.
You can learn who is behind eb3.work on our about page and see exactly how our process works on the eb3.work process page. Honest programs explain the wait and the cost clearly, because they have nothing to hide.
What happens after your priority date becomes current
Once your priority date is current, you take the final step to your green card. Which path you take depends on where you are.
If you are inside the United States in a qualifying status, you file Form I-485 to adjust status. You can also apply for a work permit at the same time. If you are outside the United States, you go through consular processing. Your case goes to the National Visa Center, you file the DS-260, you complete a medical exam, and you attend an interview at a U.S. embassy.
Both paths end the same way. You become a lawful permanent resident of the United States. If you want the difference explained in plain terms, see our guide on adjustment of status versus consular processing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the EB-3 visa?
The EB-3 visa is an employment-based green card. A U.S. employer sponsors a foreign worker for permanent residence. It has three groups: skilled workers, professionals, and other (unskilled) workers. The Other Workers group is for entry-level jobs that need no degree. The process runs through a DOL labor certification, a USCIS petition, and a wait for a visa number.
Can I get an EB-3 green card without a college degree?
Yes. The EB-3 Other Workers category is built for entry-level jobs that need less than two years of training or experience. Common roles include fast food crew, cook, housekeeping, caregiving, warehouse, and cleaning. You do not need a degree or prior U.S. experience. You do need basic English, a permanent job offer, and the physical ability to do the work.
How long does the EB-3 process take in 2026?
About 48 months from start to finish for many Other Workers cases. The Department of Labor's PERM stage takes about 16 to 17 months on its own. The I-140 petition takes several more months, or 15 business days with premium processing. You then wait for your priority date to become current which depends on your country of birth.
How much does the EB-3 process cost, and who pays?
The employer pays all PERM-related costs by law. You pay your own immigration fees and USCIS filing fees for the later stages of your case. At EB3.work, the total fee to the worker is $13,500, which covers attorney fees and USCIS filing fees not related to PERM. There are no recruitment or placement fees.
Do I need a job offer for EB-3?
Yes. You cannot self-petition for an EB-3 green card. A U.S. employer must offer you a permanent, full-time job and sponsor you through the PERM, I-140, and final green card steps. The job offer is the foundation of the entire case. Without a sponsoring employer, there is no EB-3 petition to file.
Which countries have the longest EB-3 wait times?
India and China have the longest EB-3 waits, often many years, because so many people from those countries apply. Most other countries share a "Rest of World" line and move much faster. As of the July 2026 Visa Bulletin, the EB-3 date for most countries is August 1, 2024, while India sits at January 1, 2014. Always check the latest bulletin for your country.
Is the EB-3 program legitimate, or is it a scam?
The EB-3 program is a real and legal U.S. green card category that has existed for decades. The program is legitimate. The risk comes from dishonest recruiters who misuse it. Watch for guaranteed results, upfront placement fees and recruiters who will not name the employer or attorney. A real case has a PERM case number and a USCIS I-140 receipt you can verify.
What happens after my priority date becomes current?
You take the final step to your green card. If you are in the United States, you file Form I-485 to adjust status and can request a work permit. If you are abroad, you go through consular processing, which includes filing the DS-260, a medical exam, and an interview at a U.S. embassy. Both paths end with you becoming a lawful permanent resident.
Final thoughts
The EB-3 visa is one of the clearest green card paths for workers who do not have an advanced degree. It gives you permanent residence, the ability to bring your family and a path to U.S. citizenship over time. Few work-based options offer that kind of long-term stability.
The honest tradeoff is time. The full process takes about four years, and it rewards patience and steady follow-through. If you are ready to start, the next step is simple. Look at the open EB-3 jobs and see which roles fit you.
