United States•North AmericaEW-3 — Employment Third Preference - Other Worker (Unskilled)
At a Glance
0 days – 100 years
Varies by processing route
USD $4,425–$7,390
Varies by filing options
Indefinite
Not renewable
Renewal
Not renewable
Family
Dependents allowed
PR Pathway
Yes
Sponsor
Job offer required
Work
Remote not required
Living in United States
Overview
Other workers performing unskilled labor requiring less than 2 years training or experience.
785-char rewrite across 3 paragraphs (P1=290, P2=307, P3=184)
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Cost Breakdown
Processing Time
| PERM labor certification (DOL) | 6 months – 1.5 years |
| I-140 Standard Processing | 4 months – 1 year |
| I-140 Premium Processing | 2 weeks |
| Visa number wait (no backlog nationalities) | 0 days – 1 year |
| Visa number wait (backlogged nationalities) | 10–100 years |
| I-485 Adjustment of Status | 8 months – 2 years |
Stay & Extensions
| Status type | Permanent / indefinite |
Annual Cap & Quota
~10,000 visas per year worldwide for the 'Other Workers' subcategory (EW-3), subject to per-country annual limits
Requirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Valid, permanent, full-time job offer from a U.S. employer
Position must require less than 2 years of training or experience (unskilled or semi-skilled labor)
Employer must obtain approved PERM labor certification from the Department of Labor
Employer must file Form I-140 on behalf of the worker
Worker must meet any minimum qualifications listed in the PERM job description
Worker must be admissible to the United States under immigration law
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Approved PERM labor certification (ETA Form 9089)
Form I-140 with supporting evidence
Employment offer letter from sponsoring employer
Evidence of worker's qualifications meeting job requirements
Valid passport and immigration history documents
Birth certificate
Marriage certificate (if applicable)
Form I-485 and supporting documents (for AOS applicants)
Medical examination results (Form I-693, for AOS applicants)
Police certificates or criminal history records
Two passport-style photos
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- Leads directly to permanent residence (green card) — no temporary status required
- Open to workers in unskilled or semi-skilled positions requiring less than 2 years of experience
- No educational degree required
- Qualifying spouse and unmarried children under 21 may immigrate as derivative beneficiaries
- Work authorization (EAD) available while I-485 is pending, allowing immediate employment
- Advance Parole travel document available while I-485 is pending
- Premium processing available for I-140 to accelerate petition adjudication
- Priority date established at I-140 approval protects place in queue even if employment changes
Worth Knowing
- Extremely long backlogs — 'Other Workers' subcategory has a worldwide annual cap of ~10,000 visas, one of the lowest of any EB category
- Nationals of India, Philippines, China, and Mexico may face wait times of 10–35+ years due to per-country limits
- Employer must initiate and bear costs; worker cannot self-petition
- PERM recruitment is a lengthy, documentation-intensive process for the employer
- Job offer must remain bona fide throughout the process; layoffs or employer closure can jeopardize the petition
- If employment ends before I-485 is approved (or before 180 days after filing), the petition may be withdrawn
- Annual allocation (~10,000) is shared globally, creating severe oversubscription
- Not suitable for workers needing near-term permanent residence unless from countries without a backlog
- Very long backlog
- Annual cap of 10,000 (subject to minor statutory reductions)
Application Process
1. Employer conducts PERM recruitment process and files ETA Form 9089 with the Department of Labor
2. DOL approves PERM labor certification, confirming no qualified U.S. workers are available
3. Employer files Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers) with USCIS; optional premium processing available
4. USCIS approves I-140 and establishes the worker's priority date
5. Monitor USCIS Visa Bulletin monthly and wait for priority date to become current
6. Once priority date is current
file I-485 (Adjustment of Status) if in the U.S., or proceed with consular processing at a U.S. embassy/consulate abroad
7. Attend biometrics appointment and interview (if required)
8. Receive green card (LPR status)
Application Forms
Go to application portal| ETA Form 9089 Application for Permanent Employment Certification | Fill online |
| I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers | Fill online |
| I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status | Fill online |
| DS-260 Immigrant Visa Electronic Application | Fill online |
| I-765 Application for Employment Authorization | Fill online |
| I-131 Application for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure Records | Fill online |
| I-693 Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record | Fill online |
Related visas
More visas in United States
Work visas in other countries
- EntrePass
Singapore
- Green Residence for Skilled Employees
United Arab Emirates
- Temporary Worker Permit (Permiso de Trabajador Temporal / PTT)
Dominican Republic
Living in United States
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