United States•North America1277-4380 days
1,940 USD
Indefinite
No
Required
Allowed
Available
Not Required
Skilled workers (2+ years training), professionals (bachelor's degree), and other workers (unskilled labor).
The EB-3 is a US employment-based green card for three categories: skilled workers (2+ years' training), professionals (US bachelor's degree or equivalent), and unskilled "other workers." Employers file Form I-140 after completing DOL PERM labor certification, proving no qualified US workers are available for the role.
The visa grants permanent residence — holder and family live and work in the US indefinitely. Spouses receive green cards and may work without restriction. Around 40,040 visas are issued annually. Total timeline from PERM filing typically runs 3.5 to 12+ years due to per-country backlogs.
This visa is ideal for foreign workers with a permanent US job offer who meet the skilled, professional, or unskilled worker criteria and can manage a multi-year wait for a green card.
Form I-140 filing fee | 715 USD |
Asylum Program Fee (Standard) | 600 USD |
Asylum Program Fee (Small) | 300 USD |
Immigrant visa fee (consular processing) | 325 USD |
| Status type | Permanent / indefinite |
~40,040/year
Skilled Workers: Minimum of 2 years of job experience, training, or education; position must be permanent and full-time.
Professionals: Must hold a U.S. bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent; position must require a bachelor's degree.
Unskilled Workers (Other Workers): Positions requiring less than 2 years of training or experience; must be permanent and full-time.
Job Offer
Required
Form I-140 and filing fee ($715).
Certified PERM Labor Certification.
Employer's proof of financial ability to pay the offered wage.
Evidence of worker's qualifications (diplomas, experience letters).
Valid passport, birth certificate, and medical exam records.
Police clearance certificates (for consular processing).
| I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers | Fill online |
| ETA 9089 Application for Permanent Employment Certification | Fill online |
| DS-260 Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application | Fill online |
| Application Steps | File I-140 petition: Self-petition or employer files with USCIS; USCIS approval: Wait for I-140 appr… | uscis.gov |
| Dependent Visa | Dependents allowed, spouse can work | uscis.gov |
| Fee Breakdown | Form I-140 filing fee: 715 USD; Asylum Program Fee (Standard): 600 USD; Asylum Program Fee (Small): … | uscis.gov |
| Fees | USD $715 base Form I-140 filing fee + $600 Asylum Program Fee ($300 small / $0 nonprofit) + $325 imm… | uscis.gov |
| Forms | I-140; ETA 9089 (PERM); DS-260 | uscis.gov |
| Forms · DS-260 · description | Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application | travel.state.gov |
| Forms · ETA 9089 · description | Application for Permanent Employment Certification | dol.gov |
| Forms · ETA 9089 · url | https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/foreign-labor/programs/permanent | dol.gov |
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