EB-3 visa processing times depend on several stages, including the PERM labor certification, Form I-140 petition, and the availability of immigrant visa numbers under the visa bulletin. As of late August 2026, there have been improvements in some processing stages, although the visa bulletin cutoff dates continue to be a major factor for many EB-3 applicants.
This guide explains the current processing times, how to check your case status, how to understand the September 2026 Visa Bulletin, and what applicants and employers can do to potentially help reduce delays.
Current EB-3 Processing Times in August 2026
The EB-3 immigration process generally involves three major stages:
- PERM labor certification with the U.S. Department of Labor
- Form I-140 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
- Final immigrant visa processing or adjustment of status once the priority date becomes current
Each stage has its own processing timeline, and delays at any stage can affect the overall EB-3 process.
PERM Processing Time
As of August 2026, PERM labor certification is taking approximately 11 to 12 months.
This represents a significant improvement compared with the 16- to 17-month processing times seen previously. Current cases from around July, August, and September 2025 are reportedly being reviewed and certified.
Your PERM priority date is generally the date your PERM application was filed with the Department of Labor. This date becomes particularly important when you later compare your case with the cutoff dates in the visa bulletin.
I-140 Processing Time
After the PERM application is approved, the employer can generally proceed with the I-140 immigrant petition.
For EB-3 workers, standard I-140 processing is currently around 7.5 months. Processing can vary considerably from case to case, however. Some petitions may be approved substantially sooner, while others can take considerably longer.
This is also an improvement compared with approximately 13 to 14 months reported about a year ago.
Premium processing is available for eligible I-140 petitions. However, premium processing only accelerates USCIS’s adjudication of the I-140. It does not eliminate the requirement to wait for your priority date to become current under the visa bulletin.
How to Check PERM Processing Times on the DOL Website
You can check the latest PERM processing information yourself through the Department of Labor’s FLAG website.
Look for the PERM processing times section and pay attention to the date of the information displayed. The page generally provides information about cases currently undergoing analyst review and the approximate priority dates being processed.
If the listed processing date is September 2025, for example, it means the Department of Labor is currently working on PERM applications around that filing period.
Because processing times can change, checking the official DOL information periodically is useful when estimating how long your PERM stage may take.
How to Check I-140 Processing Times on the USCIS Website
Once your PERM is certified, the next major step is the I-140 petition.
To check the current USCIS processing time:
- Go to the USCIS processing times page.
- Select Form I-140.
- Select the appropriate EB-3 worker category.
- Select the available service center.
- Check the estimated processing time.
Keep in mind that the USCIS processing-time estimate is not a guarantee. Individual cases can be completed faster or slower than the published estimate.
How to Read the September 2026 Visa Bulletin
The September 2026 Visa Bulletin is particularly important because September is the final month of the U.S. government’s fiscal year.
The federal fiscal year ends on September 30, with the new fiscal year beginning October 1. Each employment-based immigration category has an annual allocation of immigrant visas. As the fiscal year approaches its end, the Department of State manages these numbers carefully.
The September 2026 Visa Bulletin therefore provides an important snapshot of where EB-3 priority dates stand at the end of fiscal year 2026.
When reading the bulletin, you will encounter several important designations.
What Does “C” Mean?
“C” means “Current.”
When a category is current, there is no cutoff date restricting visa availability for that category, subject to the other requirements of the immigration process.
What Does “U” Mean?
“U” means “Unavailable.”
This indicates that immigrant visa numbers are not currently available for that category.
What Is a Cutoff Date?
A cutoff date determines which applicants can move forward based on their priority date.
For example, if the cutoff date is April 1, 2022, an applicant whose priority date is earlier than April 1, 2022, may be eligible to proceed, assuming the other requirements have been met.
September 2026 Visa Bulletin: EB-3 Other Workers
One of the key dates in the September 2026 Visa Bulletin is the EB-3 “Other Workers” cutoff.
For September 2026, the Final Action Date for EB-3 Other Workers is April 1, 2022.
This means that applicants in this category generally need a priority date earlier than April 1, 2022, to proceed to the final stage, assuming their I-140 has been approved and all other requirements have been satisfied.
Depending on whether the applicant is in the United States or abroad, the final stage may involve adjustment of status or consular processing.
Final Action Dates vs. Dates for Filing
The visa bulletin contains two important charts:
- Final Action Dates
- Dates for Filing
These charts serve different purposes, and applicants should not automatically assume that the Dates for Filing chart applies.
For September 2026, employment-based adjustment of status applicants must use the Final Action Dates chart.
That distinction matters because the Dates for Filing chart can sometimes show a more favorable date, but applicants cannot necessarily use that date to file an adjustment of status application.
The September 2026 Visa Bulletin instructions determine which chart applies during that particular month.
EB-3 Visa Bulletin Differences by Country
The employment-based visa bulletin also separates certain countries when demand for immigrant visas is high.
For EB-3 Other Workers in September 2026, Mexico is listed with the same cutoff date as the general column, while the Philippines has a separate cutoff date.
Applicants should therefore always check the column corresponding to their country of birth rather than assuming that the general cutoff date applies to everyone.
Why October 2026 Could Be Important
Many EB-3 applicants will be watching the October 2026 Visa Bulletin closely.
October marks the beginning of a new fiscal year, meaning new annual visa numbers become available. This can potentially allow cutoff dates to move forward.
However, the size and direction of any movement cannot be guaranteed in advance. The Department of State adjusts cutoff dates according to demand, available visa numbers, and statutory limits.
For applicants waiting behind the current EB-3 cutoff, the October bulletin may therefore be particularly important.
What Can You Do to Help Speed Up the EB-3 Process?
There are several things applicants and employers can do to avoid unnecessary delays.
First, monitor your PERM and I-140 processing carefully. Make sure required documents are prepared correctly and respond promptly to requests for additional information.
Second, consider whether premium processing is appropriate for your I-140. While it will not make your priority date current, it can shorten the USCIS adjudication portion of the process.
Finally, applicants and employers can participate in immigration-policy advocacy efforts aimed at addressing visa backlogs and PERM processing delays.
The Dignity Act and EB-3 Visa Backlogs
One proposed legislative approach discussed by immigration advocates is the Dignity Act.
Among other provisions, the legislation could affect how certain employment-based immigrant visas are counted when family members accompany the principal applicant.
Under the proposal discussed by advocates, counting the family unit differently could potentially increase the number of employment-based visas available to principal workers and help move employment-based cutoff dates forward.
Because legislation can change during the congressional process, applicants should verify the current status and provisions of any proposed bill before relying on it for their immigration planning.
The PERM Backlog Reduction Act
Another legislative proposal discussed in connection with EB-3 processing is the PERM Backlog Reduction Act.
The proposal would create a premium processing option for PERM applications, allowing employers to pay an additional fee for expedited processing.
The proposed system would aim to provide a much faster processing track, potentially targeting a 30-day turnaround for qualifying PERM cases. It also proposes faster processing of prevailing wage determinations.
Importantly, this is a legislative proposal rather than an existing standard PERM premium-processing option. Applicants and employers should therefore distinguish between proposed legislation and programs that are currently available.
How to Contact Your Congressional Representative
Applicants who want to support immigration legislation can contact their members of Congress and explain how employment-based immigration backlogs affect them.
If you live in the United States, you can identify your congressional representative using your residential address. You can then contact the representative’s office by email, phone, or through its constituent services system.
A concise, personal explanation of how the EB-3 backlog affects you can be more useful than sending a generic message.
September 2026 Visa Bulletin: What EB-3 Applicants Should Watch
The September 2026 Visa Bulletin shows that EB-3 Other Workers remain subject to a significant cutoff date, with April 1, 2022, listed as the Final Action Date.
At the same time, PERM processing has improved considerably compared with previous years, while I-140 processing is currently estimated at approximately 7.5 months under standard processing.
The biggest variable for many applicants may therefore be the visa bulletin rather than the PERM or I-140 stage.
Applicants should monitor both the September 2026 Visa Bulletin and the October 2026 bulletin to see whether the new fiscal year’s visa allocation results in movement in the EB-3 cutoff dates.
FAQ
How long does EB-3 processing take in 2026?
There is no single processing time for every EB-3 case. As of August 2026, PERM processing is approximately 11 to 12 months, while standard I-140 processing is around 7.5 months. After that, applicants may still need to wait for their priority date to become current.
What is the EB-3 Other Workers cutoff date in the September 2026 Visa Bulletin?
The September 2026 Visa Bulletin lists April 1, 2022, as the Final Action Date for EB-3 Other Workers in the relevant general and Mexico categories.
What does “Current” mean on the visa bulletin?
A “C” designation means the category is current. There is no cutoff date restricting visa availability for that category at that time.
Can I use the Dates for Filing chart in September 2026?
For employment-based adjustment of status filings in September 2026, the Final Action Dates chart must be used according to the applicable USCIS filing-chart instructions.
Does I-140 premium processing speed up my entire EB-3 case?
No. Premium processing can speed up USCIS’s decision on an eligible I-140 petition, but it does not make your priority date current or eliminate visa-number backlogs.
When does the next fiscal year begin?
The U.S. federal fiscal year begins October 1. Therefore, October 2026 marks the beginning of fiscal year 2027 and the availability of new annual employment-based visa numbers.
Can my EB-3 priority date move backward?
Yes. Visa bulletin cutoff dates can move forward, remain unchanged, or retrogress depending on visa demand and availability.
How To Track Your EB-3 Case
You can make monitoring your EB-3 case much easier by following a simple routine:
- Check the Department of Labor’s PERM processing times while your labor certification is pending.
- Keep your PERM filing date and priority date in your records.
- Once your PERM is certified, monitor the I-140 petition with USCIS.
- Check whether I-140 premium processing is appropriate for your situation.
- Once your I-140 is filed or approved, monitor the monthly Visa Bulletin.
- Check the correct employment-based chart for the month you’re applying.
- Compare your priority date with the applicable EB-3 cutoff date.
- Check the country-specific column that applies to your place of birth.
- Pay particular attention to October bulletins because the new fiscal year begins on October 1.
- If your priority date becomes current, speak with your immigration attorney or qualified representative about proceeding with adjustment of status or consular processing.
The September 2026 Visa Bulletin is an important checkpoint for EB-3 applicants, but it is only one part of the overall process. Keeping track of PERM, I-140, and visa-number availability separately can give you a much clearer picture of where your case stands and what you may be able to do next.
Also Read: How to Prepare for the EB-3 Visa Process
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