EB-3 Green Card Process

Get a permanent green card through your employer and your work history. We handle your I-140 petition, employer documentation, and every filing from approval through to your green card.

What the EB-3 Category Covers and Who It Is Built For

The EB-3 is the third-preference employment-based green card category, and it is the broadest of the employment green card pathways. It covers three distinct groups: professionals whose jobs require a four-year bachelor’s degree, skilled workers in positions that demand at least two years of training or experience, and unskilled workers in roles that require less formal preparation. If you have a permanent job offer from a U.S. employer and your qualifications match the role, working with an EB-3 green card lawyer gives you structured support through every stage of the petition process.

Unlike the EB-2 category, the EB-3 does not offer a self-petition option. Every case requires a U.S. employer who is willing to sponsor you, complete PERM labor certification through the Department of Labor, and file an immigrant visa petition on your behalf. An immigration attorney helps you and your employer move through the petition correctly so the case does not stall between the labor certification stage and the final green card filing.

Which Workers Qualify Under the EB-3 Category

The three EB-3 sub-categories have different evidentiary standards. Your qualifications and the specific requirements of the job determine which one applies to you.

EB-3 Professionals:

The job requires at least a U.S. bachelor’s degree or a foreign equivalent as a minimum entry qualification
You hold that degree or its equivalent and can document it with transcripts and a credential evaluation
A U.S. employer is offering you a permanent full-time position in that professional role

EB-3 Skilled Workers:

The job permanently requires at least two years of training, formal education, or documented work experience
You satisfy those requirements through your employment history, trade credentials, or vocational training
A U.S. employer has extended a permanent full-time job offer for that specific position

EB-3 Unskilled Workers (Other Workers):

The position does not require two or more years of prior training or experience to perform
You are qualified to carry out the duties described in the job offer
A U.S. employer is sponsoring you for a permanent full-time role

Important Note: about the bachelor’s degree requirement: The degree must be a genuine minimum requirement for the job, not simply a preference. If the employer would consider a candidate with significant experience in place of a degree, the position may not qualify under the professional sub-category. Justin reviews the job description with your employer before the PERM process begins to make sure the requirements are set correctly.

How the EB-3 Petition Moves From PERM to Green Card

Once the PERM labor certification is approved by the Department of Labor, the EB-3 case moves to USCIS. Here is the petition sequence from certified PERM to green card:

1

Confirm the Employer's Ability to Pay

USCIS requires proof that your employer can pay the offered wage from the date the PERM was filed. Justin reviews the employer's financials before the I-140 is submitted.

2

File Form I-140

Justin prepares the EB-3 immigrant visa petition with your qualification documents, the certified PERM, and the employer's financial evidence.

3

Lock in Your Priority Date

I-140 approval confirms you meet the EB-3 standard and establishes the date USCIS received your petition as your priority date.

4

Monitor the Visa Bulletin

Justin checks the State Department Visa Bulletin monthly and notifies you when your priority date becomes current.

5

File Form I-485 or Proceed to Consular Processing

Justin files adjustment of status if you are inside the United States, or prepares your embassy package if you are abroad.

6

Receive your Green Card

Once USCIS approves your adjustment of status or your immigrant visa is stamped at the embassy, you officially become a lawful permanent resident.

What USCIS Checks in an EB-3 I-140 Petition

Degree Verification

You must get your foreign degree checked to prove it matches a U.S. bachelor's. Using untrustworthy agencies or exaggerating your education will cause problems.

Financial Capacity

The government checks if your employer can actually afford your pay. The company has to share their official tax returns or financial reports.

Credential Match

Your actual background must fit the job description perfectly. If your major is different or your past jobs look unclear, they will reject you.

Proactive Review

He reviews every piece of supporting evidence before the I-140 goes to USCIS. Requests for evidence are avoidable when the petition is built correctly from the start.

Priority Dates and the EB-3 Downgrade Strategy

The EB-3 category is subject to annual visa limits and per-country caps. Workers born in India and the Philippines typically face the longest wait times in this category. Workers born in most other countries face shorter waits, and some reach a current priority date relatively quickly after I-140 approval.

One strategy worth knowing is the EB-2 to EB-3 downgrade. Some workers who originally filed under EB-2 also file an EB-3 I-140 because in certain periods the EB-3 priority date for their country moves ahead on the Visa Bulletin, allowing them to reach adjustment of status sooner. Justin monitors both categories for clients from high-backlog countries and advises whether this makes sense for your situation.

Your Attorney

Working Directly With Justin

Justin Kadich handles every EB-3 petition at American Dream Immigration personally. When you or your employer contacts the firm, you speak with Justin directly. He reviews the employer’s financials, coordinates on the job description, and prepares the full I-140 package without handing the work to an assistant. EB-3 petitions fail most often because the employer’s financial documentation is incomplete or because the applicant’s credentials do not clearly satisfy the job’s listed requirements. Justin catches these gaps before the I-140 is filed rather than after USCIS issues a request for evidence that adds months to your timeline.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between EB-3 and EB-2, and which should I file under?

EB-3 covers professionals with bachelor’s degrees, skilled workers, and unskilled workers. EB-2 requires advanced degrees or exceptional ability. If you lack a master’s degree, EB-3 is typically your path. Justin analyzes your birth country and current Visa Bulletin dates to choose the fastest category for your specific situation.

Can I change jobs after my EB-3 I-140 is approved?

Yes, under AC21 portability rules. If your I-140 is approved and your Form I-485 adjustment of status has been pending for at least 180 days, you can move to a new employer. The new position must be in the same or a similar occupational classification.

Does the EB-3 work for workers in trades and vocational fields?

Absolutely. The skilled worker sub-category is designed specifically for positions requiring a minimum of two years of training, specialized education, or relevant work experience. This explicitly includes trade and vocational fields like electricians, precision welders, and industrial technicians, provided you meet the employer’s listed requirements.

What if my employer cannot fully document their ability to pay?

If federal tax returns show a net loss, Justin reviews alternative metrics allowed by USCIS. We can establish financial capacity using the company’s net current assets from Schedule L or by proving the employer is already paying you the proffered wage through dynamic payroll records and W-2 forms.

How long does the entire EB-3 process take from start to finish?

Timelines vary significantly based on Department of Labor processing queues and your country of birth. Government wait times for PERM approval and I-140 processing compound with Visa Bulletin backlogs. During your initial consultation, Justin provides a realistic, transparent timeline projection based on the latest monthly visa data.

Build a Permanent Future Through Your Employer's Sponsorship

An employer’s job offer is just the starting point; securing an EB-3 green card requires meticulous preparation. Justin Kadich helps workers and employers build resilient petitions that withstand strict USCIS review. Schedule a consultation to evaluate your qualifications and regional processing timelines. You will work directly with an experienced attorney who personally manages your immigration case from the initial filing through final approval.