Last Updated on March 2, 2023
The EB-3 skilled or other workers requirement is the most frequently applied-for employment-based green card option and casts the widest net in terms of who qualifies. As a result, it has the largest processing backlog among all the permanent residency visa options. Qualified applicants for an EB-3 and their employers must have an approved labor certification before beginning the petition process. It’s open to:
- Professionals
- Skilled workers
- Other or unskilled workers
EB-3 Requirements
The following are categories of workers who qualify for the popular EB-3 visa along with the criteria for each category:
Professionals
To qualify as a professional, the worker must have a bachelor’s degree (or foreign equivalent) that will fill a role requiring a college degree. Examples include teachers, architects, and engineers.
Skilled workers
To qualify as a skilled worker, the applicant must have at least two years of training or work experience, who may or may not hold a college degree.
Other or unskilled workers
To qualify as other or an unskilled workers, the applicant must be filling a job that requires less than two years of training or experience. Examples include nannies, housekeepers, groundskeepers and nurse’s aides.
Key HR takeaways
The EB-3 category is the most common green card classification and has the highest demand. As a result, there is a lengthy average approval waiting period of six to nine years. This waiting period can be even longer due to per-country allotments.
Qualifying Questions
Is the employee a skilled worker, professional or other/unskilled worker, based on necessary qualifying criteria?
Does the open job meet necessary requirements to begin the labor certification (PERM) process?
If you answered YES to any of these questions, the EB-3 green card may be a permanent residency option for your employee. To confirm eligibility for your foreign national, contact Envoy at (855) 847-2669 or visit us at www.envoyglobal.com/about-us/contact.
