U.S. EB-3 Employer-Sponsored Immigration
【About EB-3 Employer-Sponsored Immigration】
The EB-3 visa is a type of U.S. immigration visa, commonly known as 'U.S. Employer-Sponsored Immigration,' designed to provide a path for foreign workers who meet specific conditions and employer requirements.
Professionals, skilled workers, and unskilled workers who wish to obtain permanent residency in the U.S. may apply for a green card through the EB-3 visa if they receive a full-time job offer from a qualified U.S. employer. Applicants work after entering the U.S. with a green card in hand.
To sponsor foreign employees, U.S. employers must first attempt to recruit qualified local workers. Only after failing to do so can they proceed to sponsor foreign workers.
Of the total green card quota provided by USCIS each year, 28.6% is allocated to the EB-3 category—about 40,000 EB-3 visas annually. No more than 7% of the total can be issued to citizens of any one country. When applicants from a specific country exceed this quota, a backlog (priority date wait time) occurs.
【EB-3 Eligible Applicants】
Who can apply for an EB-3 visa?
There are five categories of U.S. employment-based immigration. EB-3 is the third preference category, designed for foreign workers with certain skills or qualifications. It includes the following three subcategories:
EB-3 Employer-Sponsored Immigration includes three subcategories, with 40,000 annual visa allocations:
| Category | Name | Requirements | Typical Positions |
|---|---|---|---|
| EB-3A | Skilled Workers（技术工人） | - At least two years of experience or training in a specific field; - Must hold a valid U.S. work visa; work before applying for immigration; maintain employment during the application process; | Chefs, designers, and other skilled roles |
| EB-3B | Professionals（专业人士） | - Requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent, and proof of professional skills in a specific field; - Must hold a valid U.S. work visa; work before applying for immigration; maintain employment during the application process; | White-collar jobs, doctors, scientists, etc. |
| EB-3C | Other Workers（非技术劳工） | - No specific skills or education required; simple and repetitive labor; - Apply directly for immigration; work after obtaining a green card | Warehouse workers, factory staff, gardeners, and other light labor jobs |
Compared to EB-5 Investment and EB-1 Extraordinary Ability visas, EB-3 has lower requirements and higher cost-effectiveness. The wait time is reasonable, and there are no strict demands for language, education, investment, or work experience—ideal for healthy applicants aged 18–55 who want to immigrate to the U.S.
Requirements for EB-3C Unskilled Worker Program
Among the three subcategories, the EB-3C (Unskilled Worker) category has the lowest threshold. Requirements are as follows:
As long as the primary applicant receives a job offer approved by the U.S. Department of Labor, they can directly apply for a green card for the whole family (spouse and unmarried children under 21). Work begins after receiving the green card, with access to standard U.S. employment benefits and insurance.
【EB-3 Program Advantages】
The EB-3 visa offers many unique benefits, making it a top choice for foreign workers and 90% of domestic applicants and international students seeking U.S. permanent residency.
Wide Eligibility and Low Application Threshold:
With three subcategories, the EB-3 visa covers a wide range of skill and experience levels. The EB-3C unskilled worker category has no hard requirements for language, age, education, capital, or work experience—making it broadly applicable.
01
Strong Employer Sponsorship Support:
The EB-3 requires an employer to initiate and continuously support the application. A reputable and capable employer significantly boosts success chances.
02
Stable Policy with Family Green Cards:
EB-3 has been in stable operation for decades with a high success rate. Spouses and unmarried children under 21 can be included as dependents to gain permanent residency together.
03
Get a Green Card First, Work Later
Applicants may complete the entire process outside the U.S., obtaining the green card before entry and employment—avoiding exploitation or immigration denial due to unemployment.
04
Shorter Wait Time, Transparent Process
Current backlog is about 5–6 years. The process is transparent and published on official sites. Immigration approval typically takes 12–18 months. Even if the employer changes midway, your original priority date remains unaffected.
05
High Cost-Effectiveness and Success Rate
Compared to EB-5, EB-3 costs about 10% of the total investment, making it one of the most cost-effective immigration options. Its lower requirements also contribute to a higher success rate, ideal for entrepreneurs, professionals, skilled workers, and students seeking U.S. immigration.
06
Of course, there are some risks in applying for the EB-3 visa, such as employer changes, quota limitations, and backlog fluctuations. However, employer changes do not affect your priority date, which is a protection for applicants. Therefore, it’s important to fully understand the rules before applying.
Q&A
Q1: My child is studying in the U.S., and I am a parent accompanying them. Am I eligible for EB-3?
If your child is attending primary, secondary, or undergraduate school in the U.S., and you are traveling back and forth on a B visa, your status is unstable and the cost of living is high. EB-3 provides a comprehensive solution of "legal status + U.S. employment + family reunification + U.S. benefits" for the entire family. Once approved, the whole family can obtain green cards. As a U.S. resident, your child can enjoy tuition discounts, freely choose university majors as a domestic student, and benefit from a higher admission rate to prestigious universities. Parents can also work and live in the U.S. more freely and flexibly.
Q2: I am an international student in the U.S. Am I eligible for EB-3?
In recent years, the U.S. has become increasingly strict with international students. Even if you get a work visa after graduation, obtaining a green card ultimately depends on luck and is very difficult. As a student, if you want a more secure path to immigration, you can both try to get a quota and use EB-3 as a Plan B to lock in an immigration slot. EB-3 acts as a backup plan, avoiding the risk of immigration failure due to factors like not getting a work visa, unemployment, or employer refusal to sponsor.
Q3: What is the EB-3 visa backlog? What factors affect how long it takes?
The EB-3 visa backlog refers to the waiting period between submitting your application and receiving your green card. Due to annual visa limits, applicants must refer to their "Priority Date" and the monthly Visa Bulletin issued by the U.S. Department of State to determine when they can proceed with their application.
These factors can affect the length of the backlog:
1. Visa quota limits: Each country gets about 7% of the total employment-based visas per year;
2. Number of applicants: Applicants from high-volume countries (including China, India, and the Philippines) may wait longer;
3. Visa category: The “Other Workers” subcategory under EB-3 usually has a longer wait time than “Skilled Workers” or “Professionals”.
Note: If either spouse was born in a country that doesn’t have a backlog, the priority date requirement can be waived.
Q4: Can I change employers during the EB-3 application process?
Yes, if absolutely necessary (e.g., the employer goes bankrupt), you can change employers, provided the new employer meets the requirements and is willing to support your application. Notably, the priority date from the first PERM filing will remain valid even if you change employers later. You will only need to file a new PERM and I-140, and the change may add 6–12 months of additional processing time before entry.
Q5: As a Chinese applicant, how long does it take to get a green card?
As of May 2025, the priority date for EB-3 Other Workers (unskilled) born in mainland China is August 1, 2017, which seems to imply an 8-year wait. However, EB-3 backlog movement is not linear but jumpy.
Due to factors like COVID-19, passport delays, and low public awareness, the number of Chinese applicants has sharply dropped since 2017. As a result, the backlog may advance quickly or even jump forward, and the actual wait may be much shorter than 8 years—potentially 4 to 6 years.
Q6: My education is low, and my English is not fluent. Can I still apply for this program?
Yes! The EB-3 Other Workers category does not require any education, language skills, or relevant work experience. It is a low-barrier immigration program.
Q7: Can I apply for another U.S. immigration program while applying for EB-3?
Yes, U.S. immigration programs are usually not exclusive. Students applying for H1B, entrepreneurs applying for EB-5, or talent-based applicants applying for EB-1a can still apply for EB-3 as a backup, as long as they meet the requirements.
Q8: Can my family immigrate with me? What age children can be included?
Yes. Your spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 can immigrate with you as derivative beneficiaries. They must file separate applications and meet medical exam and other requirements. Note that the age “under 21” is calculated as the actual age at the time the visa becomes available, minus the time the I-140 was under review (in days).
For example, if your child is 21 years and 5 months old when the visa becomes available, and the I-140 review took 6 months, then: 21 years 5 months - 6 months = 20 years 11 months. In this case, the child still qualifies as “under 21” and is eligible to apply as a derivative beneficiary.
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