The EB3 visa is one of the most common ways to get a green card through employment. It is meant for people with less than two years of experience or training. If you work in a job like restaurant crew, hotel housekeeping, or warehouse helper, this might be the path for you.
But getting the EB3 visa takes time. You cannot just apply and get a green card right away. You have to wait your turn and that is where the EB3 visa bulletin comes in.
The visa bulletin tells you how long you have to wait. It helps you track your green card progress. Checking the bulletin every month is important.
What Is the EB3 Visa?
The EB3 visa is for workers who do not have much experience or formal training. It falls under the “Other Workers” category. This is different from skilled or professional workers.
Jobs under this category include hotel staff, dishwashers, janitors, and caregivers. These are hands-on jobs that help keep businesses running. Employers in the U.S. need people to fill these roles.
Employment in personal care and service occupations is expected to grow more rapidly than the average for all occupations between 2023 and 2033. Each year, an estimated 794,500 job openings are projected, driven by both new employment growth and the need to replace workers who permanently leave these roles.
To learn more, visit What is the EB-3 “Other Workers” Visa?
What Is the Visa Bulletin?
The visa bulletin is published once a month. It comes from the U.S. Department of State. You can find it online at travel.state.gov
The bulletin tells you how many green cards are available for each visa category. It also breaks it down by country. It helps you see if your application can move forward.
When your category and country show “current” in the bulletin, it means you can proceed. If it is not current, you need to wait. The visa bulletin is like a waiting list.
What Is a Priority Date and Where Do You Find It?
Your priority date is your place in line. It is the date when your employer filed the PERM Labor Certification. This is done through the Department of Labor (DOL).
The U.S. DOL’s Q2 FY2025 report on PERM (Program Electronic Review Management) processing offers important insights for prospective EB-3 applicants. During this period, 32,310 PERM applications were certified, while only 590 were denied and 1,507 withdrawn. However, the system continues to experience delays, with nearly 180,000 applications still pending as of March 31, 2025. This high backlog suggests ongoing pressure on processing times despite a noticeable decrease in new filings.
You need your priority date to check your progress in the visa bulletin. You can find it on your PERM approval or your I-140 receipt notice.
Visit the DOL FLAG system or the USCIS I-140 page to learn more. These documents are key to tracking your application.
How to Read the EB3 Visa Bulletin
There are two main charts in the visa bulletin. Chart A shows the “Final Action Dates.” This tells you when you can actually get your green card. Chart B shows the “Dates for Filing.” This tells you when you can send your documents.
Most people outside the U.S. use Chart A. If you are inside the U.S., you need to check if USCIS is allowing the use of Chart B. They make that decision monthly.
Look at the Employment-Based section of the bulletin. Then find your visa category and your country.
Why EB3 Wait Times Vary by Country
Not every country has the same wait time. The U.S. puts a limit on how many green cards can go to each country. That is why the wait is longer for some and shorter for others.
Countries with high demand like India and China often have long backlogs. You may wait many years. On the other hand, countries like Brazil, Mexico, or the Philippines may have shorter waits.
You can explore more here: EB3 Wait Time by Country
Current EB3 Visa Bulletin (August 2025 Snapshot)
Here is a look at the August 2025 EB3 visa bulletin. This is based on the Final Action Dates under the “Other Workers” category:
| Chargeability Area | Final Action Date (EB‑3 Other Workers) |
| All Chargeability Areas (Worldwide) | July 8, 2021 |
| China (Mainland‑born) | May 1, 2017 |
| India | May 22, 2013 (advanced 1 month) |
| Mexico | July 8, 2021 |
| Philippines | July 8, 2021 |
This means if your priority date is before the listed date, you can move forward. You can always check the official Visa Bulletin to see the latest update.
How to Know If You’re “Current”
To know if you are current, compare your priority date to the cutoff date in the visa bulletin. If your date is earlier, then you are current. That means you can move to the next step.
If your date is not current, then you have to wait. The date has to move forward before you can take action. That is why it is important to check the bulletin every month.
Being current opens the door for your green card process to continue. Not being current means staying patient.
This category is allocated 28.6% of the total worldwide employment-based visa limit, along with any unused numbers from the first and second preference categories. However, no more than 10,000 visas may be issued specifically to individuals in the “Other Workers” subcategory.
What Happens After Your Priority Date Becomes Current?
Once you are current, your green card process moves ahead. If you are outside the U.S., your case goes to the National Visa Center. They will finalize your case and set up your embassy interview.
If you are already in the U.S., you will file Form I-485 with USCIS. This is called Adjustment of Status. This process lets you apply for your green card without leaving the country.
To learn more, visit the USCIS Form I-485 page
How to Track the Visa Bulletin Every Month
Here is a simple way to track the bulletin:
- Visit the Visa Bulletin after the 15th of each month
- Find the Employment-Based section
- Look for EB-3 under the “Other Workers” row
- Use Chart A unless USCIS says to use Chart B
- Compare the “Final Action Date” with your own priority date
This monthly habit will help you stay ready. The bulletin updates can change your timeline.
How-To: Track Your Priority Date
Here is a step-by-step guide:
- Find your priority date
- From the DOL PERM approval at flag.dol.gov
- Or from your I-140 form at USCIS
- Open the latest Visa Bulletin
- Go to Chart A – Final Action Dates
- Look at the row for “Other Workers” under your country
- If your priority date is before the listed date, you are current
It is simple once you know where to look. Just repeat this every month.
FAQs
Q1: What is a priority date?
It is the date your employer filed your PERM labor certification with the Department of Labor.
Q2: What does it mean if my priority date is current?
It means a green card is available. You can now take the next step in your application.
Q3: What happens if my date is not current?
You will have to wait. You cannot move forward until your date becomes current.
Q4: What is retrogression?
This happens when the cutoff date moves backward. Even if your date was current, you may need to wait again.
Q5: Can I speed up the EB-3 process?
No. The process depends on the law and visa limits. But you can prepare your documents early so you are ready.
The EB3 visa bulletin is your main tool for checking your green card progress. It tells you how long the wait is and when to act. Do not guess. Use the bulletin.
Checking the bulletin monthly helps you avoid delays. You will know exactly when to prepare your forms and schedule your interview. This can save you a lot of time.
Bookmark the Visa Bulletin. Stay updated. Share it with others who are waiting.
To explore jobs and resources, check out these helpful pages:
The EB3 process may seem long. But with the right tools, you will stay ahead. The visa bulletin is one of the best tools you can use.
Wrap-Up
The EB3 visa bulletin is more than just a chart. It is your guide to understanding when you can take the next step toward your green card. Knowing how to read it puts you in control of your timeline.
Make it a habit to check the bulletin every month. Watch how your priority date moves and be ready when it becomes current. That small step can make a big difference in your journey.
Staying informed means fewer surprises. Bookmark the bulletin and keep your documents in order. When your time comes, you will be ready to move forward with confidence.
