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Skilled Workers Individuals with at least two years of experience in a skilled job.
Professionals Individuals with a U.S. bachelor’s degree or a foreign equivalent.
Other Workers Individuals performing unskilled labor that is not temporary or seasonal.
The EB-3 Green Card is an employment-based permanent residency category. It is a third preference category for employment visas and is specifically for skilled, professional, or “unskilled” workers. With an EB-3 visa, you can work and live in the U.S. on a permanent basis.
The EB-3 Green Card is less rigid in qualifying requirements, but there are more eligible applicants compared to EB-1 and EB-2 categories. This visa is generally more suitable for foreign workers that have a permanent job offer in the US while also meeting the work experience and educational requirements.
Once you have all your documentation together, you will need to find an employer who is willing to sponsor you for the green card process.
EB-3 Green Card Processing Times and Fees
With each step discussed above in mind, we can provide an estimate of the EB-3 processing time will be. However, there are several factors that can drastically change the amount of time your EB-3 green card will take.
If six months is too long a time to wait for your I-140 to be processed, you can pay the extra fee to use premium processing, an optional service that shortens your petition’s processing time to 15 calendar days.
EB-3 processing time can be significantly delayed if there are inconsistencies or errors in the application. Our top priority is to always get the result as fast as we can for our clients. Schedule a consultation and start hiring foreign workers now.
So, the total EB-3 processing time can be between 14 months in the best case scenario and up to 15 years in the worst case. Work with your EB-3 green card attorney to determine what you will be able to expect from your processing time.
If your priority date wait time is too long, you may consider porting your EB-3 to EB-2 status. This is not an easy process and should only be attempted with the help of an EB-3 attorney.
The EB-3 has a few USCIS fees to consider before applying:
Consular Visa Application
If you are currently outside the U.S., you will need to go through consular processing instead. This involves going to the U.S. consulate or embassy in your home country and participating in a one-on-one interview with a consular officer. You will also need to complete the DS-260 online immigrant visa application.
You should print out both the confirmation page for your DS-260 and the receipt for your payment and bring those to your interview along with:
Green Card Renewal
One of the biggest advantages to getting a green card is the fact that it has a long validity period. When issued, your Green Card will be valid for 10 years. Keep in mind that this is not like renewing a nonimmigrant visa, where you need to submit a new petition and essentially re-qualify for the visa.
For a green card, you simply need to file an I-90 request to have your green card renewed for a fee of $455 plus an $85 biometrics fee. This is also the process if your green card has been lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed and you need a replacement. Please consult us if you require assistance on the renewal process.
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