EB-3 — Employment Third Preference - Skilled Worker/Professional

United States•North America

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EB-3 — Employment Third Preference - Skilled Worker/Professional

Skilled Migration PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

3.5–12 years

Estimated Cost

$1,340–$1,640 USD

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

Indefinite

Not renewable

Renewal

Not renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

Yes

Sponsor

Job offer required

Work

Remote not required

Official Information

Living in United States

Cost of Living

Baseline

Avg Salary$51,000

Quality of Life

186/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

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.

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Cost Breakdown

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

Total$1,340–$1,640 USD

Stay & Extensions

Status type

Permanent / indefinite

Annual Cap & Quota

~40,040/year

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

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.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

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).

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Provides a clear path to permanent residency for a wide range of skill levels.
Includes categories for both degree holders and those with specialized experience.
Spouse and children under 21 can obtain green cards.
Employer-sponsored stability.

Worth Knowing

Longest processing times among the three categories due to PERM and visa backlogs.
Highly dependent on employer sponsorship and recruitment success.
Subject to significant visa backlogs for certain countries (e.g., India, China, Philippines).
Cannot self-petition.
PERM required
Significant backlog for some countries

Application Process

File I-140 petition: Self-petition or employer files with USCIS

USCIS approval: Wait for I-140 approval

Wait for priority date: If visa numbers unavailable

File I-485 or DS-260: Adjust status or consular processing

Attend interview: If consular processing

Receive green card: Permanent resident status

Application Forms

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

Verified Claims (24)

Last verified May 30, 2026

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

Official Information

Living in United States

Cost of Living

Baseline

Avg Salary$51,000

Quality of Life

186/200

Full Country Guide

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Overview

Skilled workers (2+ years training), professionals (bachelor's degree), and other workers (unskilled labor).

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.

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

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.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

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).

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Provides a clear path to permanent residency for a wide range of skill levels.
Includes categories for both degree holders and those with specialized experience.
Spouse and children under 21 can obtain green cards.
Employer-sponsored stability.

Worth Knowing

Longest processing times among the three categories due to PERM and visa backlogs.
Highly dependent on employer sponsorship and recruitment success.
Subject to significant visa backlogs for certain countries (e.g., India, China, Philippines).
Cannot self-petition.
PERM required
Significant backlog for some countries