EB3 Visa: Skilled Workers Green Card Process

The EB-3 visa is the employment-based third preference category for skilled and professional workers. You may be eligible if you are: (a) a skilled worker with at least 2 years of training or experience; (b) a professional with at least a U.S. bachelor’s degree (or foreign equivalent); or (c) a general other worker (unskilled job with less than 2 years training)​. Like EB-2, the EB-3 requires a permanent, full-time job offer and a PERM labor certification from the employer​.

For example, a software engineer with a 4-year college degree would qualify as EB-3 Professional, while a machinist with 3 years’ on-the-job training qualifies as EB-3 Skilled. The EB-3 category is often used when EB-2 is not applicable (e.g. applicant lacks an advanced degree) or as a fallback when EB-2 dates retrogress. This guide covers EB-3 requirements, the PERM/I-140 process, and priority dates (including comparisons to EB-2).

EB-3 Visa Requirements (Who qualifies for EB-3? EB3 requirements)

To qualify under EB-3, your job and qualifications must fit one of these sub-categories:

• Skilled Worker: A job requiring at least 2 years of training or experience (non-seasonal). You must have completed the 2-year requirement​. (Relevant education can count as experience.)
• Professional: A job requiring at least a U.S. bachelor’s degree or foreign equivalent, and you must hold that degree​. The bachelor’s degree is a normal entry requirement.
• Other Worker: A job requiring less than 2 years of training/experience (non-seasonal). This category covers unskilled labor.

In all cases:

• The employer must obtain a DOL-approved PERM labor certification for your job​. (This is similar to EB-2.)
• The employer must file Form I-140 for you after PERM approval.
• Permanent full-time job offer: You need a permanent, full-time position from a U.S. employer. The job offer and PERM must match your qualifications​.

For instance, an accountant with a 4-year degree offered a full-time accounting position would be EB-3 Professional. A cook with 1.5 years of kitchen experience (but no degree) might fall under Other Worker. Note that “Skills” in EB-3 strictly means training, not a job skill test - e.g. an electrician must have an apprenticeship or equivalent experience.

According to USCIS: “You may be eligible for EB-3 if you are a skilled worker, professional, or other worker.”​. Unlike EB-2, there is no advanced degree requirement here, so applicants with only a bachelor’s or 2-year credentials commonly apply EB-3.

EB-3 Process & Priority Dates (EB3 green card)

The EB-3 process follows these steps:

PERM Labor Certification: The U.S. employer recruits for the position and files Form ETA-9089 with the DOL. This shows that hiring you will not harm the U.S. labor market. Most EB-3 cases require PERM approval​. (Exception: Schedule A occupations like nurses do not need PERM.)

I-140 Petition: After PERM approval, the employer files Form I-140 to petition USCIS for EB-3 classification of the worker. You must meet the job’s requirements (e.g. provide your bachelor’s degree for a professional job).

Priority Date: When USCIS receives the PERM or I-140 (whichever was filed first), you get a priority date. You must wait for this date to become current on the Visa Bulletin before you can get a green card.

• For example, USCIS uses the Visa Bulletin’s Final Action Dates for EB-3​. In April 2025, EB-3 for India is backlogged, while EB-3 for most other countries might be current.

Adjustment of Status or Consulate: When current, file Form I-485 (if in the U.S.) or complete consular processing. USCIS or the U.S. consulate then grants the green card.

EB-3 wait times can be longer than EB-2 for some nationals. In practice, many Indians and Chinese file in both EB-2 and EB-3 to maximize their chances. If your EB-2 I-140 is pending and EB-3 dates become current, you can often port your priority date to EB-3 to adjust status faster.

EB-2 vs EB-3 (EB3 vs EB2 differences)

If you have an advanced degree, EB-2 is usually preferred (it often has higher visa limits and shorter waits). EB-3 is for jobs requiring a bachelor’s or 2-year training. For applicants with a bachelor’s degree, the choice depends on visa bulletin movement: sometimes EB-3 is current when EB-2 is not. Gale’s EB-2 guide above covers advanced-degree cases.

Gale’s EB-2 Visa article explains the advanced degree path. Remember, an employer can always upgrade you from EB-3 to EB-2 later if you earn a master’s degree or meet exceptional ability criteria.

For U.S. government guidance, see the official EB-3 page​. Many high-skilled visa holders (like H-1B employees) use EB-3 if EB-2 is unavailable. Our H-1B Visa 2025 Guide​ also discusses green card strategies, since H-1B beneficiaries often pursue EB-2/EB-3 sponsorship.

Image placeholders:

• Image: Skilled worker on the job (Alt: “A technician or skilled worker on site, representing EB-3 skilled labor”).
• Image: Stack of green cards (Alt: “U.S. permanent resident cards symbolizing EB-3 green card approval”).

Need help with your EB-3 case? Book a consultation with Gale for personalized assistance from our immigration experts.

FAQs

Q: Who qualifies for an EB-3 visa? A: You must have a U.S. job offer in one of these categories: (1) Skilled worker (≥2 years training/experience)​; (2) Professional (requires a bachelor’s degree)​; or (3) Other worker (unskilled job with <2 years training). A permanent full-time job and DOL PERM approval are required​.

Q: What EB-3 visa requirements must be met? A: The main requirements are: at least 2 years of relevant experience for Skilled Worker, or a bachelor’s degree for Professional​. The employer must obtain a certified PERM labor certification and file an I-140 petition​.

Q: How is EB-3 different from EB-2? A: EB-2 is for advanced degree holders or those with exceptional ability; EB-3 is for bachelor’s-degree or 2-year-trained workers. EB-2 petitions generally process faster. In EB-3, you cannot substitute education for experience (a bachelor’s is mandatory for Professionals​). EB-2 often allows National Interest Waivers; EB-3 does not.

Q: What does the EB-3 priority date mean? A: The priority date is the date your PERM or I-140 was filed. It determines when you can apply for your green card. You must wait until your priority date is earlier than the cutoff date in the Visa Bulletin's Final Action Dates for EB-3​.