Visa Focus Friday

Visa Focus Friday: The EB-3 Visa – Building the Future with Skilled, Professional, and Essential Workers

This week, we are highlighting the EB-3 visa, an employment-based immigrant pathway for individuals who bring valuable skills, professional training, or essential labor to the U.S. economy.  Whether you are a skilled tradesperson, a recent graduate with a job offer, or a worker filling an in-demand position, the EB-3 visa offers a route to permanent residency in the United States.

What Is the EB-3 Visa?

The EB-3 visa is a third-preference employment-based immigrant visa designed for:

• Skilled Workers – Individuals with at least two years of job experience or training;
• Professionals – Individuals with a U.S. bachelor's degree or its foreign equivalent and whose job requires such a degree;
• Other Workers – Individuals performing unskilled labor that requires less than two years of training or experience (not of a temporary or seasonal nature).

This category provides an opportunity for a wide range of professionals and workers to establish long-term residency and stability in the United States.

Who Qualifies?

To qualify for the EB-3 visa, applicants must have a valid, permanent job offer from a U.S. employer and meet the specific requirements of one of the three subcategories:

• Skilled Workers must demonstrate at least two years of job-related experience or training.
• Professionals must hold a U.S. bachelor’s degree or its equivalent and must be entering a role that requires such a degree.
• Other Workers must be capable of performing unskilled labor that is not seasonal or temporary and for which qualified U.S. workers are not available.

All EB-3 applicants must be sponsored by a U.S. employer and meet the requirements of the offered position.

Labor Certification Requirement

All EB-3 petitions require the employer to obtain a PERM Labor Certification from the U.S. Department of Labor. This process confirms that:

• There are no qualified U.S. workers available or willing to fill the position, and
• Employing the foreign worker will not negatively impact wages and working conditions for U.S. employees.

The Petition Process
The EB-3 petition process typically involves multiple steps and requires careful coordination between the foreign national and their sponsoring employer:

• PERM Labor Certification – The employer must first obtain certification from the U.S. Department of Labor, confirming that there are no qualified U.S. workers available for the position and that hiring a foreign worker will not negatively impact local wages or conditions.
  
• Form I-140 – The employer files this Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker with USCIS to classify the foreign national under the EB-3 category.
  
• Adjustment of Status or Consular Processing – If a visa becomes available and the applicant is in the U.S., they may be eligible to file Form I-485 to adjust status. Those outside the U.S. typically proceed through immigrant visa processing at a U.S. consulate abroad.
  

Applicants may also be eligible to apply for work and travel authorization while waiting for a decision on their adjustment of status.
Benefits of the EB-3 Visa
Family Eligibility – Spouses and unmarried children under 21 may be included in the process as derivative beneficiaries, allowing families to pursue permanent residency together.
Work Authorization for Spouses – Once the adjustment of status process is underway, eligible spouses may apply for employment authorization (EAD), offering greater flexibility and support during the wait.
Broad Accessibility – The EB-3 category accommodates a wide range of professionals, skilled workers, and certain unskilled laborers, making it one of the more inclusive employment-based immigration options available.
Why the EB-3 Visa Matters

The EB-3 visa is essential to the U.S. workforce, allowing employers to fill critical roles and maintain productivity across industries.  From healthcare and manufacturing to hospitality and construction, EB-3 workers help drive economic growth and community well-being.

At Stommes Immigration, we assist employers and workers in navigating the complexities of the EB-3 process—from filing PERM applications to guiding green card approvals.  Whether you are a business needing reliable talent or a worker ready to build your future in the United States, we are here to help.

For guidance on your EB-3 eligibility or sponsorship process, contact us at [email protected]. Let us help you turn your job offer into a pathway to permanent residency.

If you have questions about your visa status or if you are an employer exploring immigration options, we are here to help.  At the Law Office of Julia L. Stommes, we are committed to helping individuals and businesses navigate complex legal landscapes.
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The information provided in this blog is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice.  To schedule a Consultation to discuss your legal immigration options, please email us at [email protected].