The EB-3 Visa program is one of the world's most sought-after employment-based visa programs, offering paths to U.S. permanent residency for skilled workers, professionals and unskilled workers.
The program aims to address U.S. labor shortages by enabling foreign nationals to move permanently to America under certain conditions.
This guide provides a detailed overview of the EB-3 Visa requirements.
The EB-3 Visa has three different categories, each with specific requirements as detailed by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Below are the requirements for each of the visa categories:
The EB-3(A) skilled worker visa requires at least two years of relevant training or experience and a job offer from a U.S.-based employer for a position that cannot be filled by a U.S. worker
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from the U.S. or its foreign equivalent, and have a job offer for a position that cannot be filled by a U.S. worker.
Applicants must be able to perform unskilled labor that requires less than two years of training or experience, and have a job offer from an employer who can demonstrate the absence of qualified American workers for such positions.
The third EB-3 Visa category offers foreign workers the opportunity to obtain permanent residency by proving the existence of job positions with low requirements that cannot be filled by American workers. This is why it is a popular and secure option for foreign workers seeking to become permanent residents quickly.
The EB-3 Other Workers visa has relatively low requirements.
A language proficiency certification is not required, but applicants must understand English well enough to perform their job in the U.S.
Job experience or educational degrees are also not required.
However, there are some other requirements, such as obtaining certain documents, explained in more detail below.
There are no salary requirements to be eligible for the EB3 Visa.
The cost for the EB-3 Other Workers visa process is $45,000 USD for the main applicant, covering all applicable government charges.
Dependents, including a spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21, can be added to your application for an additional fee of $3,000 USD each.
You may also consider other optional associated costs, such as the premium processing fee of $4,500 USD, reducing the processing time of your application.
Read our guide on the EB-3 Visa process cost
The EB-3 Visa provides the main applicant with an employment-based Green Card, which requires them to work in a specific role. This makes it different from the EB-5 Visa, which qualifies applicants through the creation of jobs for U.S. workers.
To qualify for the EB-3 Green Card, the applicant must demonstrate that they are willing to work in America.
Holborn’s unique EB-3 Visa program is able to offer you, through our partnerships, a guaranteed job on arrival in the U.S.
Read our guide on the EB-3 Visa process cost
One of the eligibility requirements for obtaining most U.S. immigrant visas, including the EB-3 Work Visa, is being in good health. It is important as the applicants must be able to perform their job duties effectively.
To become Green Card holders, applicants must undergo a medical examination, regardless of age, gender, nationality or health. Depending on your medical history, you may also need to receive certain vaccinations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides an in-depth analysis of the vaccination criteria.
The medical check has to be conducted by an authorised panel doctor. Your visa application will not be accepted if your medical check is completed by a non-authorised physician.
There is a list of medical experts from each country that are authorised to perform these checks, and Holborn can point you in the right direction.
Securing a police clearance certificate from your home country is a requirement for all U.S. immigrant visas, including the EB-3 Visa.
A police clearance certificate is an official document issued by state police or relevant security authorities detailing any arrests or legal issues encountered by an individual in a specified area
You will need to submit the police clearance certificate from:
To be eligible for the EB-3 Green Card, applicants must disclose any criminal records to assess their application’s likelihood of success.
It is important to note that all applicants over the age of 16 will need to submit the police clearance certificate, including your spouse and dependent children.
If you have criminal record or have previously been rejected by the U.S. consular, it is important to seek comprehensive advice.
The EB-3 Visa program offers foreign workers and their families a pathway to become permanent residents in the U.S. in exchange for undertaking employment in the U.S.
The program offers a wide range of benefits, including the chance to live and work anywhere in the U.S. And while the EB-3 Visa is not a residency by investment program, it leads to U.S. residency
If you would like to learn more or have any questions, we can help.
Holborn Pass is an international leader in investor visas. We provide an end-to-end service to support you throughout the EB-3 process.
We are part of the wider Holborn Assets Group , a leading, award-winning financial advisory company with over $2 billion in assets under management (AUM).
We have successfully helped hundreds of individuals and families secure their second residency. To find out how we can assist you, book a consultation with one of our advisers.
The EB-3 Visa program has three categories:
· EB-3(A): Skilled Workers: This requires a minimum of two years of training or experience, and a job offer from a U.S.-based employer for a position that cannot be filled by an American citizen.
· EB-3(B): Professionals: Applicants must have a U.S. bachelor’s degree or its foreign degree equivalent, and a job offer for a position that cannot be filled by an American citizen.
· EB-3(C): Unskilled Workers: This category requires the ability to perform unskilled labor that needs less than two years of training or experience, along with a job offer from an employer who can demonstrate the absence of qualified American workers for such positions.
Applicants are required to pay a fee of $45,000 USD for the main applicant.
Eligible family members, such as a spouse and dependent children under the age of 21, can be added to the application for an additional $3,000 USD per dependent.
A premium processing fee of $4,500 USD should be considered to expedite the visa application process.
The EB-3 Visa requires applicants to undertake a specific job role in the U.S. and is primarily aimed at filling labor shortages in the U.S.
In contrast, the EB-5 Visa is for investors who can invest a substantial amount of money in the U.S. economy and create jobs for American workers.
The processing time for an EB-3 Visa can vary significantly based on the specific category under which an applicant applies (Skilled Workers, Professionals, or Unskilled Workers), and the current workload of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The average processing times are 2 to 3 years.
The applicants can opt for a premium application service, which shortens the application but incurs an additional fee of $4,500 USD.
Applicants for the EB-3 Visa must submit a comprehensive set of documents to support their application. These include, but are not limited to:
· A valid passport,
· A police clearance certificate,
· A medical examination report from an authorised panel physician,
· A birth certificate, marriage certificate and divorce decrees (if applicable).
Additional documents may be required depending on the specific circumstances and category of the application.