The three EB-3 subcategories
EB-3 visas are allocated up to 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based level, plus numbers not used by EB-1 and EB-2; Other Workers may use no more than 10,000 a year.[2]
| Subcategory | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Skilled workers | A job requiring at least 2 years of training or experience; relevant post-secondary education can count as training |
| Professionals | A U.S. bachelor’s degree or foreign equivalent that is normally required for the job; experience cannot substitute for the degree |
| Other workers | Jobs requiring less than 2 years of training or experience |
All three need a full-time, permanent job offer and an approved labor certification (or Schedule A designation), and the employer files Form I-140.[1]
EB-3 step by step
- PERM labor certification. The employer tests the U.S. labor market and files with the Department of Labor. The date DOL accepts it becomes your priority date.[4]
- Form I-140. The employer petitions USCIS; premium processing is available for EB-3 I-140s.[5]
- Wait for the Visa Bulletin. When your priority date is current, you file Form I-485 in the U.S. or apply for an immigrant visa abroad.
EB-3 dates in the November 2026 visa bulletin
This is the EB-3 part of the employment chart USCIS accepts for November 2026 (Dates for Filing).[3] Full history is on the EB3 visa bulletin page.
| Category | Rest of world | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-3 | 01 Aug 2024■ | 01 Apr 2024■ | 15 Jan 2015■ | 01 Aug 2024■ | 01 Jan 2024■ |
| EB-3 Other Workers | 01 Jul 2022▲ advanced 30 days | 01 Oct 2020■ | 15 Jan 2015■ | 01 Jul 2022▲ advanced 30 days | 01 Jun 2022■ |
EB-3 is often the realistic route for workers whose jobs do not require a master’s degree, and for Indian nationals it sometimes moves ahead of EB-2 India. Check where you stand with the priority date calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the EB3 visa take?
It has three stages: PERM labor certification and the I-140 petition, each of which takes months (DOL and USCIS publish current processing times), then the Visa Bulletin wait, which is short for most countries but many years for India and often longer for Other Workers.
Do I need a job offer for EB3?
Yes. EB-3 requires a full-time, permanent job offer from a U.S. employer, which also sponsors the labor certification and the I-140.
Can my family come with me on EB3?
Yes. A spouse and unmarried children under 21 can receive green cards as derivatives with the same priority date.
Sources
- Employment-Based Immigration: Third Preference EB-3
- 8 U.S.C. 1153 (INA 203): allocation of immigrant visas
- When to File Your Adjustment of Status Application for Family-Sponsored or Employment-Based Preference Visas: November 2026
- 8 CFR 204.5: Petitions for employment-based immigrants (priority date, 204.5(d))
- How Do I Request Premium Processing?