Eb3

EB-3, or Employment-Based Third Preference, is a United States immigrant visa category permitting permanent residence based on a U.S. job offer. It is part of the five employment-based categories and generally provides a pathway to a green card for workers who meet specific education or experience requirements and whose prospective employer has obtained a labor certification.

EB-3 comprises three subcategories: Professionals (persons with a U.S. bachelor’s degree or foreign equivalent; the job must require at least a bachelor’s degree), Skilled Workers (occupations requiring at least two years of training or experience), and Other Workers (unskilled labor requiring less than two years of training).

In most cases, an employer must obtain a PERM labor certification from the Department of Labor, demonstrating that there are no qualified U.S. workers available for the position and that the offered wage meets prevailing wage standards. After PERM approval, the employer files Form I-140 immigrant petition; the beneficiary then pursues adjustment of status in the United States (Form I-485) or consular processing if abroad, once the priority date is current.

There are annual numerical limits and per-country caps that can create backlogs, especially for applicants from high-demand countries. The U.S. Department of State's Visa Bulletin tracks priority dates and determines when a petition can proceed to final processing. Processing times vary by country and category and can be lengthy.

EB-3 is commonly used by workers in fields such as information technology, healthcare, construction, and service industries. It requires employer sponsorship and a permanent, full-time job offer, and it is one option among several pathways to U.S. permanent residence.