To satisfy the labor market demand for unskilled workers in the United States (US), the US government offers an opportunity for eligible applicants to work and immigrate to the USA under the EB-3 Immigrant Visa Program. Applicants can include their spouse as well as any children they have below the age of 21 in their EB3 application. One primary applicant can obtain a green card for every member of his/her family.
- “Professionals” are persons whose job requires at least a U.S. baccalaureate degree or a foreign equivalent and are a member of the professions.
- “Skilled workers” are persons whose job requires a minimum of 2 years training or work experience. The work cannot be of a temporary or seasonal nature.
- The “other workers” subcategory is for persons performing unskilled labor requiring less than 2 years training or experience. The work cannot be of a temporary or seasonal nature.
Sub-categories Professionals – You must be able to demonstrate that you possess a U.S. baccalaureate degree or foreign degree equivalent, and that a baccalaureate degree is the normal requirement for entry into the occupation
You must be performing work for which qualified workers are not available in the United States
Education and experience may not be substituted for a baccalaureate degre
Certification: Labor certification and a permanent, full-time job offer required.
Sub-categories Skilled Worker – You must be able to demonstrate at least 2 years of job experience or training
You must be performing work for which qualified workers are not available in the United States
Certification: Labor certification and a permanent, full-time job offer required.
Sub-categories Unskilled Workers (Other Workers) You must be capable, at the time the petition is filed on your behalf, of performing unskilled labor (requiring less than 2 years training or experience), that is not of a temporary or seasonal nature, for which qualified workers are not available in the United States.
Certification: Labor certification and a permanent, full-time job offer required.
Note: While eligibility requirements for the third preference classification are less stringent, you should be aware that a long backlog exists for visas in the “other workers” category. See the “Department of State: Visa Bulletin” page.
U.S. Department of Labor – Labor Certification
Third preference petitions must generally be accompanied by an approved, individual labor certification from the Department of Labor on Form ETA-9089. In some cases, the petition may be submitted to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) with an uncertified ETA-9089 for consideration as Schedule A, Group I. For more information, see the “Department of Labor: Foreign Labor Certification” page.
Family of EB-3 Visa Holders
Your spouse may be admitted to the United States in E34 (spouse of a “skilled worker” or “professional”) or EW4 (spouse of an “other worker”). During the process where you and your spouse are applying for permanent resident status (status as a green card holder), your spouse is eligible to file for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Your minor children (under the age of 21) may be admitted as E35 (child of a “skilled worker” or “professional”) or EW5 (child of an “other worker”).
Most Popular EB3 Sub-categories
Unskilled Workers (Other Workers). We have employers available who are willing to provide you a full-time job offer.