EB-3 Skilled Workers and Professionals

Employer-sponsored permanent residence for skilled workers, professionals and certain other workers.

Last verified: 2026-09-07

General overview

EB-3 has three sub-groups: skilled workers with at least two years of training or experience, professionals holding a U.S. bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent, and other workers performing unskilled labour that is not temporary or seasonal. All EB-3 cases require a permanent job offer and, in general, an approved labour certification.

Main application stages

1Employer and role review with authorized U.S. counsel
2Recruitment and labour certification with the Department of Labor
3Immigrant petition filed with USCIS
4Consular processing or adjustment of status

Who may consider this pathway

Tradespeople and skilled workers with a U.S. employer
Degree-holding professionals with a permanent offer
Employers filling positions they cannot staff locally

General eligibility considerations

A permanent, full-time job offer from a U.S. employer
Labour certification obtained by the employer
Qualifications matching the certified position
Numerical limits and country-based visa availability

Common documentation categories

Job offer letter and position description
Education, credential evaluation and experience letters
Employer financial ability documentation
Identity and civil documents

Important limitations

The process is employer-driven and the employer bears recruitment obligations
Waiting times in the other-worker sub-group are frequently long
Nothing here should be read as an assessment of your eligibility

Frequently asked questions

Can I self-petition EB-3?

No, EB-3 requires an employer sponsor. Category selection is a legal question for U.S. counsel.

Do you find U.S. employers?

No. We do not offer job placement. We provide orientation and can refer you to an authorized U.S. attorney.

Official sources

Last verified: 2026-09-07