# EB-3 Visa: Green Card for Skilled, Professional & Other Workers (2026) > Altius Immigration Law PLLC is a U.S. immigration law firm in Washington, D.C., serving clients in all 50 states. Principal attorney: André Matias. Practice areas: green cards, family-based immigration, employment-based and temporary work visas (H-1B, L-1, O-1, P-1), investment visas (E-2), adjustment of status, and citizenship & naturalization. Source: https://altius.law/blog/eb-3-improved/ Summary: The EB-3 employment-based green card for skilled workers, professionals, and other (unskilled) workers. Subcategories, PERM, EB-3 vs EB-2, and priority dates. ##### Employment-based green card # EB-3 Visa: Green Card for Skilled, Professional & Other Workers (2026) The **EB-3 visa** is the **employment-based, third-preference** green card — a path to U.S. permanent residence for workers whose jobs are backed by a U.S. employer. It is widely used because it reaches beyond specialists and advanced-degree holders: it also covers everyday roles that keep American businesses running. What makes EB-3 distinctive is its breadth. It splits into three subcategories — **skilled workers**, **professionals**, and **other workers (the "unskilled" route)** — so a software professional, a licensed electrician, and a full-time production worker can all qualify under the same preference. This page explains each subcategory, how the required employer sponsorship and **PERM labor certification** work, how EB-3 compares to EB-2, and how priority dates affect your timeline. [Book a consultation](https://calendly.com/altiuslaw/initial-consultation) ## What Is the EB-3 Visa? The EB-3 is the **third preference** in the U.S. employment-based immigrant visa system. It is designed for foreign nationals who have a permanent, full-time job offer from a U.S. employer that is willing to sponsor them for a green card. Two features define every EB-3 case, regardless of subcategory: - **You need a U.S. employer.** Unlike the EB-2 National Interest Waiver, there is no self-petition option in EB-3. An employer must offer you a permanent, full-time position and sponsor the case. - **You need PERM labor certification.** Before filing the immigrant petition, the employer must complete the Department of Labor's PERM process, testing the U.S. labor market to confirm no qualified U.S. worker is available and that hiring you will not harm U.S. wages or working conditions. Once PERM is certified, the employer files **Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers**, on your behalf. For the government's official overview, see [USCIS — Employment-Based Third Preference (EB-3)](https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/permanent-workers/employment-based-immigration-third-preference-eb-3). ## The Three EB-3 Subcategories EB-3 covers three distinct groups. Which one applies depends on the requirements of the job being offered and your qualifications for it. ### 1. Skilled Workers The **skilled worker** subcategory is for positions that require **at least two years** of job training or work experience that is not temporary or seasonal. Relevant post-secondary education can count toward the training requirement. This route commonly fits trades and technical roles — for example electricians, welders, plumbers, machinists, laboratory technicians, chefs, and skilled healthcare support roles. The key is that the job itself genuinely requires two or more years of training or experience, and that you meet that requirement. **In short:** you need a permanent, full-time job offer for a role that requires **2+ years** of training or experience, plus an approved PERM labor certification. ### 2. Professionals The **professional** subcategory is for positions that require, at minimum, a **U.S. bachelor's degree or its foreign equivalent**, where that degree is the normal entry requirement for the occupation. You must actually hold the degree the job requires. Importantly, in this subcategory a combination of education and experience **cannot** be substituted for the required bachelor's degree — the degree itself is mandatory. This route commonly fits roles such as accountants, analysts, engineers, and other occupations where a four-year degree is the standard threshold to enter the profession. **In short:** you need a permanent, full-time job offer for a role that normally requires a **bachelor's degree**, you hold that degree (or the foreign equivalent), and PERM is approved. ### 3. Other Workers (the "Unskilled" Route) The **"other workers"** subcategory — often searched for as **EB-3 unskilled** — is for positions that require **less than two years** of training or experience and that are not temporary or seasonal. It is the route many people are looking for when they search for a U.S. green card for lower-barrier, full-time jobs. Because this subcategory has the broadest reach, it also carries the longest waits. Congress caps the number of "other worker" green cards each year at a small slice of the EB-3 total, so demand routinely outstrips supply and the priority-date backlog for this route is typically the longest within EB-3 (see priority dates below). **In short:** you need a permanent, full-time job offer for a role requiring **less than 2 years** of training, you can perform the work, and PERM is approved. The category is fully available on the merits — the main practical hurdle is the visa-number backlog, not the eligibility standard. ## PERM Labor Certification: The Foundation of an EB-3 Nearly every EB-3 case begins with **PERM labor certification**, handled by the U.S. Department of Labor. It exists to protect U.S. workers, and it is the employer's obligation — not yours. In broad strokes, the employer must: - Obtain a **prevailing wage determination** for the position from the Department of Labor. - Conduct **recruitment** — advertising the role and testing the U.S. labor market according to DOL rules. - Document that **no able, willing, qualified, and available U.S. worker** applied for the position, and that hiring you will not adversely affect the wages or working conditions of U.S. workers. Only after PERM is certified can the employer file the I-140. Because PERM sets the case's **priority date** and anchors the entire filing, mistakes here are costly. For a fuller explanation, see our guide to [PERM labor certification](/employment-based-immigration/perm-labor-certification/). ## The EB-3 Process, Step by Step Every EB-3 case follows the same broad arc, though the details vary by subcategory and by whether you are inside or outside the United States: 1. **Secure a qualifying job offer** from a U.S. employer willing to sponsor a permanent, full-time position. 2. **Complete PERM labor certification** through the Department of Labor. This step establishes your **priority date**. 3. **File Form I-140** (the employer's immigrant petition) with USCIS, with evidence that both you and the job meet the requirements of the chosen subcategory. 4. **Wait for your priority date to become current** under the monthly [Visa Bulletin](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin.html) for your subcategory and country of birth. 5. **Complete the final step:** if you are abroad, consular processing and an immigrant-visa interview (Form DS-260); if you are already in the U.S. and eligible, adjustment of status (Form I-485). 6. **Receive your green card** and become a lawful permanent resident. ## EB-3 vs. EB-2: Which Preference Fits? EB-2 and EB-3 are neighboring employment categories, and many roles could theoretically be argued under either. The difference comes down to the **requirements of the job** and **your qualifications**: - **EB-2** is the **second preference**, for jobs that require an **advanced degree** (a master's or higher, or a bachelor's plus five years of progressive experience) or for individuals of **exceptional ability**. - **EB-3** is the **third preference**, for **professionals** with a bachelor's degree, **skilled workers** (2+ years of training/experience), and **other workers** (less than 2 years). Two practical points matter when choosing: - **Priority-date backlogs differ.** For heavily backlogged countries such as India and China, EB-2 and EB-3 cutoff dates can move at different speeds, and one can occasionally be more favorable than the other. For most other countries — **including Brazil** — both categories are often current or close to current, so the backlog is less of a deciding factor. - **The category follows the job, not just the person.** You cannot simply choose EB-2 because it sounds higher; the position's actual minimum requirements, as set in PERM, drive which preference applies. If you hold an advanced degree or believe your case may fit the higher category, compare the requirements on our [EB-2 visa](/employment-based-immigration/eb-2/) page before deciding. ## Priority Dates and the EB-3 Backlog Qualifying for EB-3 is only half the journey. To actually receive a green card, an **immigrant visa number** must be available for your case — and that depends on your **priority date**, your **subcategory**, and your **country of birth**. Your priority date is the day the Department of Labor accepted your PERM application. Each month, the [Department of State Visa Bulletin](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin.html) publishes cutoff dates; when your priority date is earlier than the cutoff for your category and country, a visa number is available and you can move to the final step. A few realities to plan around: - **Country of birth controls.** Because per-country limits apply, applicants born in high-demand countries (notably India and China) can face multi-year waits, while applicants born in most other countries — including Brazil — often see EB-3 current or close to current. - **"Other workers" wait longest.** The unskilled subcategory has its own, smaller annual allotment, so its backlog is typically longer than the skilled/professional EB-3 backlog. - **Cutoff dates move both ways.** The Visa Bulletin can advance, stall, or retrogress month to month, so always check the current bulletin before relying on any timeline. ## Why Fees and Timelines Are Not Listed Here Government filing fees and processing times change, and quoting outdated numbers helps no one. For current amounts and estimates, always use the official sources: - **Fees:** the [USCIS fee schedule (Form G-1055)](https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055). - **Processing times:** the [USCIS processing times tool](https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/). - **Visa availability:** the [Department of State Visa Bulletin](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin.html). ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What are the three EB-3 subcategories? EB-3 covers **skilled workers** (jobs requiring 2+ years of training or experience), **professionals** (jobs requiring a U.S. bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent), and **other workers** — the "unskilled" route, for jobs requiring less than two years of training. All three require a U.S. employer and PERM labor certification. ### Is there an EB-3 visa for unskilled workers? Yes. The **"other workers"** subcategory covers full-time, permanent positions that require less than two years of training or experience. It is fully available on the merits, but it has a smaller annual visa allotment, so its priority-date backlog is usually the longest within EB-3. ### Do I need a job offer for an EB-3 green card? Yes. EB-3 has no self-petition option. You need a permanent, full-time job offer from a U.S. employer who is willing to sponsor you and complete PERM labor certification. (If you want to self-petition, the EB-2 National Interest Waiver is a different path — see our [EB-2 page](/employment-based-immigration/eb-2/).) ### What is PERM labor certification and who handles it? PERM is a Department of Labor process the **employer** must complete before filing the EB-3 petition. It tests the U.S. labor market to confirm no qualified U.S. worker is available and that hiring you will not harm U.S. wages or working conditions. It also sets your priority date. Learn more on our [PERM labor certification](/employment-based-immigration/perm-labor-certification/) page. ### What is the difference between EB-2 and EB-3? EB-2 (second preference) is for advanced-degree professionals or individuals of exceptional ability. EB-3 (third preference) is for professionals with a bachelor's degree, skilled workers, and other (unskilled) workers. The position's actual minimum requirements — set through PERM — determine which category applies, not personal preference. ### How long does the EB-3 process take? It depends on PERM processing, USCIS workload, and visa availability for your subcategory and country of birth. Because these change, check the [USCIS processing times tool](https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/) and the [Visa Bulletin](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin.html) for current estimates. ### Can my family come with me on an EB-3? Yes. Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can generally obtain permanent residence as derivatives of your EB-3 case. ### Is EB-3 a good option for applicants from Brazil? Often, yes. Because EB-3 priority dates are typically current or close to current for most countries other than India and China, Brazilian-born applicants generally avoid the longest backlogs — provided they have a sponsoring U.S. employer and an approved PERM. ## Talk Through Your EB-3 Case The right EB-3 subcategory depends on the exact job you are offered and how it is defined in PERM — and small choices early on shape your timeline for years. An immigration attorney can review your offer and qualifications, identify the strongest subcategory, and coordinate the PERM and I-140 filings so the case is built correctly from the start. Let us help you get on the path to your green card. - [Contact Altius Law](/contact/) - [Explore our services](/services/) - [Book a consultation](https://calendly.com/altiuslaw/initial-consultation) --- *This page is for general information only and is not legal advice. Eligibility standards, visa availability, and government fees are set by USCIS and the U.S. Department of State and can change. Always verify current requirements with [USCIS — EB-3](https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/permanent-workers/employment-based-immigration-third-preference-eb-3), the [USCIS fee schedule (Form G-1055)](https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055), the [USCIS processing times tool](https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/), and the [Department of State Visa Bulletin](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin.html) before filing. For advice on your specific case, [book a consultation](https://calendly.com/altiuslaw/initial-consultation).* --- Book a consultation: https://altius.law/scheduling/ Phone: +1 (202) 794-9140 Website: https://altius.law