American EB3 Visa Guide for Third Priority Workers

The EB3 Visa is a Third Priority Worker visa available for skilled workers; professionals who hold a bachelor’s degree and eventually other unskilled workers. To be eligible, you must hold a baccalaureate degree or at least 2 years of training or working experience.

However, to be able to get this employment-based Visa – EB3 Visa, you will first have to get a US employer who will employ you. Moreover, the employer will be the one to initiate the EB3 Visa process for you before you can complete it from the country of your residence.

This Visa does not only consider those who have degree qualifications but also those who are semi-skilled or unskilled workers who are eligible to obtain this Visa. So long as you meet eligibility criteria and have guaranteed employment from a US employer.

Moreover, from this article, you are going to learn ways and simple procedures to apply for this EB3 Visa. Not only that, you will know the eligibility requirements, cost, and other necessary information needed to apply for EB3 Visa.

Meaning of EB3 Visa

EB3 Visa is an employment-based Immigrant visa that allows foreign workers who have found an employer willing to hire them to come to the US permanently and work without an Employment Authorization Document.

Moreover, the EB3 Visa is a Third Priority Worker visa available for skilled workers, professionals who hold a bachelor’s degree, and also for those who are unskilled workers. To be eligible, you must hold a degree, high education certificate, or at least 2 years of training or working experience.

The targeted group of workers

The EB3 visa allows three types of workers to go to the US permanently and work there. These groups of workers are:

• Skilled workers. Those who have completed at least 2 years of job experience or training.
• Professionals. Those who can prove that they have a higher education degree or its equivalent such as a
• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Unskilled workers. Those who have less than 2 years of work experience or training. Unskilled workers get the EW-3 visa as explained in the article.

Benefits of the EB3 Visa

Some advantages are given any EB3 Visa holder. For example with an EB3 visa, the foreign workers can go to the US, live there permanently, and work without having to obtain an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

After a few years at the same job, they can also switch employers and job positions. They get a Green Card and are required to pay all taxes applicable to them. They are also allowed to travel within and outside the US, as well as live in a different state in the US than the one they first moved to.

Eligibility for the EB3 visa

To qualify for the EB3 visa, a foreign worker must prove the following:

• That they have a valid and permanent job offer from a US employer.
• That they have the qualifications to meet the job description in terms of the level of education and job experience.

On the other hand, the US employer must also prove the following to qualify for sponsoring a foreign worker for an EB3 visa:

• That the employer could not find an available, qualified, or willing US worker for the job position.
• That the employer is financially stable to pay the foreign worker and can afford to sponsor the worker.

How to Apply for the EB3 Visa

Applications for the EB3 visas have series of steps which involve both the employer and the foreign employee. The application process for an EB3 visa has two parts:

• The US employer obtains labor certification and files the necessary petitions.
• If approved, the foreign employee then applies for the EW-3 visa at a US Embassy in their home country

EB3 Application procedures from US employer

The US employer who has the responsibility of employing the foreign employee will initiate and follow the following application procedures

#1. Getting the labor certification

Of the requirements for the US employer to be able to hire a foreign worker is to prove that there were no US employees for the job. This can be done by getting a labor certification from the US Department of Labor (DOL). Additionally, the US employer must prove that they will not discriminate against foreign workers.

#2. File ETA Form 9089

By filing ETA Form 9089 to the DOL, the employer states that there were no available, willing, or qualified US employees to take the job position and that the foreign worker will be paid a prevailing wage for the specific job.

#3. Receive labor certification

The DOL will process the application and notify the employer and worker of the decision. If approved, the employer gets the labor certification and can move on to the next step to hire the foreign worker. However, if the labor certification is denied, the employer cannot hire the foreign worker and must apply again to the DOL.

#4. Filing the petition

To get final approval to hire the foreign employee, the US employer must petition the US Citizenship and Immigration Services. This is done by filing Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker to the USCIS. USCIS will require the employer to attach supporting financial documents such as statements, audits, tax returns, and others to evaluate whether they can pay the foreign worker and afford additional employees.

USCIS evaluates the petition and decides whether to approve it. In case they deny it, the US employer cannot hire the employee and must try to petition again. If the petition is approved, the case goes to the National Visa Center (NVC).

#5. Receive a packet from NVC

NVC will then send a package to the foreign worker in any of the categories. The package will contain the case number and invoice ID number which the foreign worker can use for applying. The package will also have instructions on the process of applying. However, since there is a cap on the number of visas, NVC will only send this package when the priority date of the foreign worker becomes current.

EB3 Application procedures from foreign workers.

The foreign employee on his own side will carry out the following application process from the country of residence.

#1. File Form DS-261, Choice of Address and Agent

This is an online form that the foreign worker must fill in each section and submit. The form serves as a visa application for the foreign worker to the US Embassy in their country of residence. When you as the foreign worker submit this form, you will get a confirmation page which you will send to the NVC with your supporting documents.

#2. Complete medical examination and vaccination

To move to the US permanently, you must meet the health requirements too. This means that you will have to go through the NVC package and visit a licensed doctor to complete the necessary documents and checkups. If you do not have all the vaccines then you will also need to take them.

#3. Compile the EB3 visa supporting documents file

After the NVC approves your Form DS-261, you must send the supporting documents for your case.

The documents required for an EB3 visa application are the following:

• Your passport must be valid for more than 6 months after your intended departure to the US.
• Court and criminal records
• Your employment offer from the US employer.
• The approved labor certification.
• Your DS-261 confirmation page
• The approved petition.
• Your signed medical and vaccine documents.
• Two photographs meeting the US Visa Photo Requirements.
• Academic achievements (diplomas and certificates).
• Your CV or resume.
• Depending on the case, the NVC might require other supporting documents, so you must follow their instructions carefully.

#4. Attend the visa interview

After the NVC has reviewed your documents, they will schedule an interview for you at the US Embassy. You must attend the visa interview at that scheduled time. The US official will go through your background and documents and decide whether you should be given an EB3 visa or not.

#5. Receive the NVC package and travel to the US

If your visa is approved, NVC will send you a package. You cannot open this package under any circumstances. When you travel to the US, you must give it to an immigration official at the port of entry. They are the only ones that can open it and decide whether you can enter the US.

Other Employment-Based Immigrant Visa Types

The types of employment-based immigrant visas are the following:

• EB-1 Visa or First Priority Workers Visa is for outstanding professors, researchers, people with extraordinary abilities in arts, science, business, athletics, or education, as well as executive managers who have worked at a foreign branch of a US company for the past 3 years.
• EB-2 Visa or Second Priority Workers Visa is for professionals with advanced degrees and people with extraordinary abilities in arts, sciences, or business.
• EB3 Visa or Third Priority Workers Visa is for skilled workers with more than 2 years of experience, professionals with a higher education degree, or unskilled workers with less than 2 years of experience (EW-3 Visa).
• EB-4 Visa or Fourth Priority Workers Visa is for various religious, government, or international organizations workers.
• EB-5 Visa or Fifth Priority Workers Visa is for investors in the US who will invest between $500K to $1 million in the US economy.

FAQs

How long does it take to get EB3?

There are several steps in receiving an EB3 visa application. Therefore, the EB3 processing time should take between 1 and 3 years for most EB3 visa applications to be processed. Yet, it can be longer for people in some countries.

Is EB3 faster than EB2?

Assuming, EB3 moves at a faster rate than EB2 India, you downgrade from EB2 to EB3 and file i485 along with 140. Now, in the future EB2 India moves faster than EB3 India and you have approved 140 and EAD from EB3.

What are the EB3 visa fees?

There are many fees that both the US employer and the foreign worker must pay for the EB3 visa. Your employer and you will have to pay the following fees:

• DOL Labor Certification fee (employer)
• USCIS Form I-140 petition filing fee (employer)
• Form DS-261 processing fee (employee)
• Medical examination fees (employee)
• Fees to obtain supporting documents (employee)

How Long is the EB3 Green Card Processing Time?

The EB3 Green Card processing time can most times be from a low of 1 to 3 years to very long wait times of 6 or more years. Since the EB3 visa has an annual visa cap, the EB3 processing time can be quite long. If you are within the yearly limit, then your visa may be processed within a few months.

Do I Get Access to American Healthcare With an EB3 Visa?

Yes, you will have access to healthcare in the United States as an EB3 visa holder, however, the costs of getting medical treatment in the US are one of the highest in the world.

The treatment of a broken leg or broken arm will cost you $2,500, while staying at a US hospital may cost over $10,000, on average. You should pick an immigrant health insurance plan that fits you best, which overall is also affordable and covers your needs.

Can I bring my spouse and children to the US with an EB3 visa?

If you get the EB3 immigrant visa then your spouse and unmarried children under 21 years old also qualify to join you in the US. For the skilled and professional workers, the spouse qualifies for the E34 visa, while the children can apply for the E-35 visa.

For unskilled workers, the spouse is eligible for an EW4 visa and the children for an EW-5 visa. With these visas, the spouse of an EB3 visa holder can apply for the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and work in the US after approval.

Can I work while waiting for EB3?

If you received work authorization while your green card application is pending, there are no restrictions on your employment, and you can work for any employer. Of course, your employer must comply with both state and federal laws and regulations

Conclusion

Get your EB3 Visa now by following our guide diligently. We have also covered other US visas like F2 Visa, H1B Visa, E-2 Visa, K3 Visa, etc on our website. Reach out for more information.