EB3 visa sponsorship jobs lead to a US green card, not a temporary work permit, which is why they attract so much interest and so many misleading adverts. The first thing to understand is that you cannot “apply for an EB-3” on your own. A US employer with a permanent, full-time vacancy must sponsor you, prove to the Department of Labor that it could not find a qualified US worker, and file the petition.
The second thing to understand is time. Even a smooth case usually takes two to four years from the employer’s first filing to your arrival, and applicants born in India, China and at times the Philippines can wait considerably longer. Anyone promising an EB-3 green card in a few months, or selling “slots”, is not telling the truth.
What is the EB-3 visa and who qualifies?
EB-3 is the third preference category of employment-based immigration. It has three subcategories, and the one you fall under is decided by what the job requires, not by your personal qualifications alone.
| Subcategory | Job requirement | Typical occupations | Wait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled workers | At least two years of training or experience | Cooks and chefs, welders, mechanics, electricians, machine operators | Follows the main EB-3 line in the Visa Bulletin |
| Professionals | A US bachelor’s degree or foreign equivalent that is normally required for the job | Teachers, accountants, engineers, analysts | Same line as skilled workers |
| Other workers | Less than two years of training or experience | Meat and poultry processing, housekeeping, food service, caregiving, warehouse work | Separate line with a small annual quota, so often longer |
The “other workers” group is the only employment-based green card open to people without a degree or a trade. It is limited to roughly 10,000 visas a year worldwide, fewer in practice, which is why its queue moves slowly. No country may receive more than about 7% of the annual total, which creates the extra backlog for high-demand countries.
Which employers and sectors sponsor EB-3 workers?
Employers turn to EB-3 when they have permanent jobs they struggle to fill locally and are willing to wait years for a worker. The sectors that use it most are:
- Meat and poultry processing: large plants in the Midwest and South, often in small towns
- Hospitality and food service: hotel housekeeping, kitchen staff, fast-food crew and cooks
- Caregiving: nursing assistants and home health aides for nursing homes and care agencies
- Nursing and physical therapy: hospitals and staffing companies, through the faster Schedule A process
- Manufacturing, warehousing and dairy: production operatives and year-round farm roles
- Skilled trades and professional roles: mechanics, welders, teachers and engineers
We do not list specific companies as “hiring now”, because sponsorship decisions change from year to year. You can see which employers have actually filed by searching the Department of Labor’s PERM disclosure data, published by the Office of Foreign Labor Certification. For sector detail, see our guides to hotel jobs in the USA and construction jobs in the US.
How does the EB-3 process work, step by step?
- Job offer. The employer offers you a permanent, full-time position. Interviews are usually by video.
- Prevailing wage determination. The employer asks the Department of Labor to set the minimum wage for that job and location.
- Recruitment. The employer advertises the job to US workers and must consider every qualified applicant.
- PERM labor certification. If no qualified US worker is found, the employer files Form ETA-9089. The date of filing becomes your priority date, which is your place in the queue.
- Form I-140. After certification, the employer files an immigrant petition with USCIS and must show it can afford to pay the offered wage.
- Visa Bulletin wait. You wait until your priority date is earlier than the cut-off date published each month by the State Department for your category and country of birth.
- Consular processing. The National Visa Center collects your fees, Form DS-260 and civil documents. You complete a medical exam with an approved physician and attend an interview at the US embassy or consulate.
- Arrival. You enter the US as a permanent resident, and the green card is mailed to your US address.
People already in the US in lawful status may be able to file Form I-485 to adjust status instead of consular processing, and may receive work authorization while it is pending.
How long does an EB-3 case take?
| Stage | Typical duration at the time of writing |
|---|---|
| Prevailing wage determination | Several months |
| Recruitment period | About two to three months |
| PERM processing | Around a year or more; longer if audited |
| I-140 petition | Several months, or a few weeks with premium processing |
| Wait for visa availability | From no wait to several years, depending on subcategory and country of birth |
| National Visa Center and interview | Several months to a year |
Processing times move constantly. Check the Department of Labor’s processing times page, the USCIS case processing times tool, and the monthly Visa Bulletin. During the wait you have no right to live or work in the US on the basis of the pending case, so keep your current job and do not sell property or resign until the visa is in your passport.
Who pays for what?
Department of Labor rules require the employer to pay the costs of the labor certification itself, meaning the attorney fees and advertising for the PERM stage. The employer may not pass these to you or deduct them from wages. Other costs can be paid by either side, and many employers cover them to attract workers.
- Employer must pay: PERM attorney fees and recruitment advertising
- Usually employer, sometimes negotiated: I-140 filing fee and premium processing
- Usually the worker: immigrant visa fees for each family member, medical exams, police certificates, translations, the USCIS immigrant fee, and flights
Government fees change, so check the current USCIS fee schedule and the State Department’s fee list. For a family of four, visa fees, medicals and flights alone can reach several thousand dollars. If you borrow to fund the move, compare the full cost of any loan carefully, and use a reputable international money transfer service to pay fees abroad.
How is Schedule A different for nurses?
Registered nurses and physical therapists are on Schedule A, a list of occupations the Department of Labor has already found to be in shortage. Employers skip the recruitment test and file the labor certification paperwork together with the I-140, which can remove a year or more. The Visa Bulletin wait still applies.
Foreign-educated nurses need to pass the NCLEX-RN, obtain a CGFNS VisaScreen certificate, and pass an approved English test unless exempt. Reputable hospital employers and staffing firms often pay for much of this, in exchange for a work commitment of two to three years. Read any contract’s early-termination penalty carefully and ask a licensed attorney about terms you do not understand.
What are the risks you should know about?
- The employer can withdraw. Business conditions change over a multi-year process. If the employer closes or cancels the job before you immigrate, the case normally ends.
- The job must be real. You must intend to work for the sponsor in the offered role. Leaving immediately after arrival can create problems later, including at the naturalization stage.
- Locations are often rural. Housing is cheaper, but public transport is limited and you will probably need a car.
- Wages are set in advance. You will be paid at least the prevailing wage, which for “other worker” roles is typically modest hourly pay.
- Visitor visas can become harder. A pending immigrant petition shows immigrant intent, which consular officers consider in tourist visa applications.
How do you spot EB-3 misleading agency offers?
There are legitimate recruiters and law firms in this field, and there are many that are not. Genuine employers do not charge for job offers or sponsorship, and nobody can sell you a visa number.
- Be very cautious about agencies demanding large upfront payments for an “EB-3 slot” or “guaranteed green card”.
- Ask for the name of the actual employer, the job location and the wage before paying anything, and check the employer in Department of Labor disclosure data.
- Ask for a written, itemized fee agreement stating which fees are refundable if the case fails.
- Verify the attorney on the website of the state bar where they are licensed. Membership of the American Immigration Lawyers Association is a good sign.
- Once filed, confirm the case yourself using the receipt number on the official USCIS case status tool.
- Walk away from anyone who promises a fixed arrival date.
This article is general information, not legal advice. If you only need temporary work, compare this route with the seasonal options in our H-2B visa guide. Degree holders should also read about higher-paid US sponsorship routes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for an EB-3 visa without a job offer?
No. EB-3 always requires a sponsoring US employer and, except for Schedule A occupations, an approved PERM labor certification. Self-petitioning is available only in other categories, such as EB-1A and the EB-2 National Interest Waiver.
Is there an age limit or English test for EB-3?
There is no age limit in the law and no general English test for the visa. The employer may set language requirements for the job, and healthcare workers must pass an approved English exam. You must also pass the medical examination and background checks.
Does an EB-3 green card cover my spouse and children?
Yes. Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can immigrate with you as dependants and receive green cards. Your spouse can work for any employer, and your children can attend public school.
Do I have to stay with the sponsoring employer forever?
No, but you must take up the job in good faith. There is no fixed minimum period in the law. Many attorneys advise staying long enough to show that your intention was genuine, and any contract commitment you signed still applies.
What happens if my PERM is denied?
The employer can ask for reconsideration or start again with a new filing, which resets the priority date unless the first case is revived. Denials often result from errors in advertising or paperwork, which is why employers use experienced immigration attorneys.
Bottom line
EB-3 is a genuine path to permanent residence for skilled workers, professionals and, in limited numbers, workers without formal qualifications. It is employer-driven, slow and paperwork-heavy. Find real employers through official data, make sure the employer pays the PERM costs, check the Visa Bulletin for your category, and refuse to pay anyone for a “slot”.