EB-3

Skilled Workers
Green Card

The EB-3 is the third-preference employment-based green card for skilled workers, professionals with a bachelor's degree, and certain unskilled workers. Employer sponsorship and PERM labor certification are required — making accurate workflow management critical for timeline control.

Automate EB-3 workflows
Quick facts
FormsETA-9089 (PERM) + I-140
CategoryEmployment-based, 3rd preference
Employer requiredYes
PERM requiredYes
PERM processing6–12 months (longer if audited)
I-140 processing6–9 months (premium: 45 days)
Total timeline1–3 years

Automate your
EB-3 case workflow

Astrea tracks PERM deadlines, organizes recruitment documentation, prepares I-140 filings, and monitors Visa Bulletin updates — all in one platform.

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What is the EB-3 visa?

The EB-3 allows US employers to sponsor foreign workers for permanent residency when qualified American workers are not available for the position. It covers three subcategories: skilled workers (jobs requiring 2+ years of training), professionals (jobs requiring a bachelor's degree), and unskilled workers (other workers in positions requiring less than 2 years of training). Unlike EB-1 and EB-2 NIW, EB-3 always requires employer sponsorship and PERM labor certification from the Department of Labor.

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Skilled Workers
Jobs requiring at least 2 years of training or work experience. The position must be permanent and full-time. Examples: machinists, chefs, carpenters, IT specialists without a degree.
📋
Professionals
Jobs requiring at minimum a US bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent. The degree must be a normal requirement for the specific position — not just preferred.
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Unskilled Workers (Other Workers)
Jobs requiring less than 2 years of training or experience. This subcategory has significantly longer wait times due to annual numerical limits.

How the EB-3 process works

01
PERM Labor Certification (ETA-9089)
The employer must conduct a supervised labor market test to prove no qualified US workers are available. Advertisements, interviews, and rejection documentation are required. Filed with the Department of Labor.
02
Await DOL certification
Standard PERM processing takes 6–12 months. If DOL selects the application for audit, additional documentation is required and processing can extend significantly. Priority date is established on the PERM filing date.
03
File Form I-140 with USCIS
Once PERM is certified, the employer files I-140 within 180 days. Premium processing ($2,965) reduces I-140 adjudication to 45 business days. The I-140 approval preserves the PERM priority date.
04
Wait for visa number availability
EB-3 is subject to per-country limits. Monitor the monthly Visa Bulletin for priority date movements. Most countries have current dates; India and China face multi-year waits in EB-3.
05
File I-485 or consular processing
Once a visa number is available, the employee files Form I-485 inside the US or completes DS-260 for a consular interview abroad. Includes biometrics, medical exam, and potential interview.

EB-3 FAQ

What is PERM labor certification and why is it required?

PERM (Program Electronic Review Management) is the Department of Labor's process for certifying that no qualified, willing US workers are available for a specific position at the prevailing wage. It protects the US labor market and is a prerequisite for most EB-2 and all EB-3 petitions. See the DOL PERM program page.

Can an employee change jobs after I-140 approval?

Under AC21 portability (INA §204(j)), an employee with an I-485 pending for 180+ days can change employers to a "same or similar" occupation without losing their priority date or I-140 approval, as long as the I-140 remains approved. This provides important flexibility given EB-3's long timelines.

How long does EB-3 typically take from start to green card?

For most countries: 1–3 years total (6–12 months PERM + 6–9 months I-140 + I-485 processing). For Indian nationals in the EB-3 skilled workers subcategory, the wait for a visa number can exceed a decade. Monitor the Visa Bulletin monthly.