EB-3 Process Explained
The EB-3 visa offers a route to permanent residency in the U.S. However, navigating the EB-3 process can be complex, and having the right guidance is essential.
This article is part of our complete guide to the EB-3 visa. This comprehensive guide walks you through the EB-3 process step-by-step, from securing a job offer to obtaining your Green Card.
Understanding the EB-3 Visa
The EB-3 visa is one of the most popular employment-based immigrant visas, and is aimed at foreign nationals seeking to work and live permanently in the United States.
There are three visa categories:
- EB-3(A) Skilled Workers: Those whose jobs require at least two years of training or work experience.
- EB-3(B) Professional Workers: Those whose jobs require at least a baccalaureate degree or a foreign equivalent.
- EB-3(C) Other or Unskilled Workers: Those performing unskilled labor that requires less than two years of training or experience.
The U.S. issues about 40,000 EB-3 visas each year, and the program is currently run by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
The third EB-3 visa category, which is for unskilled workers, has relatively low minimum requirements and high approval rates. This is largely due to the challenges in proving that professional or skilled workers are more qualified than American workers for certain jobs.
The third employment-based category, Unskilled Workers visa, offers the opportunity to obtain permanent residency by proving the existence of job positions with low requirements that cannot be filled by American workers, making it a beneficial and secure option for those seeking to become permanent residents quickly.
Before you start the EB-3 process
Before starting the EB-3 process, applicants must ensure they meet the program’s eligibility criteria.
The general EB-3 Other Workers Visa requirements are:
Be willing to work for a sponsor
As EB-3 is an employment-based visa, the main applicant will have to stay in employment to retain the Green Card. Through unique partnerships, Holborn guarantees applicants a job on arrival in the U.S.
Have the financial capability to pay $45,000 for the main applicant
Dependents, including a spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21, can be added to your application for an additional fee of $3,000 USD each.
Provide medical checks and police clearance reports
Both a medical examination and a police clearance certificate from your home country are required for all U.S. immigrant visas, including the EB-3 visa.
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The Green Card process explained
The EB-3 visa application process starts by determining one’s eligibility.
The U.S. employer must then obtain a labor certification from the Department of Labor, proving no qualified U.S. workers are available for the position.
The employer files Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, to USCIS. The applicant submits the DS-260 form to initiate the final process.
Then, the applicant is interviewed at the local U.S. Consular Office.
After approval, the applicant receives a visa or Green Card, allowing them to enter or remain in the U.S. as a permanent resident.
Below is an overview of the EB-3 visa Program process:
Step 1 – MONTHS 1-3
Book your meeting with the EB-3 visa expert. Receive a job offer, and the sponsoring employer (company) will apply for a Labor Certificate from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).
Step 2 – MONTHS 3-12
Wait for Labor Certificate approval. Each client will be assigned a case number by the US Department of Labor and can directly access their status on the US Department of Labor website.
Step 3 – MONTHS 12-18
Prepare your case and apply for I-140 petition from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which will be filed by your lawyer.
Step 4 – MONTHS 18-24
Make a payment for a visa fee bill from a National Visa Center (NVC), upon which you will submit the form DS-260 to NVC to start the final process.
Step 5 – MONTHS 24-34
Prepare for and attend a one-to-one interview at a local U.S. consular office. Receive an invitation letter and have an interview at the US Consulate or Embassy in the country in which you reside.
Step 6 – MONTHS 34-36 – LIVE YOUR DREAM
Once the Green Card is issued and collected, you and your family will have 180 days to arrive in the U.S. before the visa expiry date. The applicants and their families will receive permanent residency. This grants them the right to live and work in the U.S.
Step 7 – MONTH 36
Begin working at your new job!
Step 8 – Apply for U.S. citizenship
After holding a permanent resident status for five years, it is possible to apply for American citizenship. For EB-3 Green Card holders to be eligible for citizenship, the U.S. must have been their primary country of residence for the previous five years.
The processing time for an EB-3 visa can vary depending on a number of factors, including the country you are applying from and the number of people applying for visas in your category. You can find out more about the processing time updates from the Visa Bulletin.
It is possible to shorten the processing time by paying a government/premium processing fee of $5,000.
Simplify the EB-3 Visa process with Holborn Pass
The EB-3 visa Program allows foreign employees and their families to live, work and study in the U.S. It also provides a pathway to American citizenship.
However, the application process can be complex. Download our EB-3 factsheet to learn more, or speak to one of our specialists.
Holborn Pass is an international leader in investor visas. We provide a bespoke, end-to-end service and professional advice to help you find the right EB-3 investment and secure your Green Card.
We are part of the wider Holborn Assets Group, a leading, award-winning financial advisory company with over $2 billion in assets under management (AUM).
Our team have successfully helped hundreds of individuals and families secure second residency. Book a consultation with one of our advisers to learn how we can assist you through the EB-3 process.