EB-3 Unskilled Visa: Your Pathway to Legal Employment in the USA

EB-3 Unskilled Visa: Your Pathway to Legal Employment in the USA EB-3 unskilled visa. EB-3 Other Workers. Unskilled worker green card USA.

Discover how the EB-3 unskilled visa program can open doors to permanent residency while filling critical workforce needs across the United States.
What is the EB-3 Unskilled Visa?

Employment-Based Category

The EB-3 unskilled visa is part of the third preference employment-based immigration category specifically designed for workers performing unskilled labor requiring less than 2 years of training or experience.

Permanent Residency

Unlike temporary work visas, the EB-3 leads directly to a green card, offering a path to permanent residency in the United States for qualified applicants and their immediate family members.

Labor Certification
Requires a U.S. employer to sponsor the foreign worker through a PERM Labor Certification, proving no qualified U.S. workers are available for the position.

Eligibility Requirements

Job Offer from U.S. Employer

You must have a permanent, full-time job offer from a U.S. employer willing to sponsor your visa application and complete the necessary paperwork.

Unskilled Labor Position

The job must qualify as "unskilled labor" requiring less than two years of training or work experience to perform.
Labor Certification Approval

Your employer must obtain an approved labor certification from the Department of Labor, verifying no qualified U.S. workers are available.

Admissibility to the U.S.

You must be admissible to the United States with no disqualifying criminal history, health issues, or immigration violations.

Application Process Timeline

PERM Labor Certification
Your employer files for labor certification with the Department of Labor. This process includes recruitment efforts to prove no qualified U.S. workers are available. Time: 6-8 months.

I-140 Petition

After labor certification approval, your employer files Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker) with USCIS. Time: 4-6 months for processing.

Priority Date Waiting Period

Wait for your priority date to become current in the visa bulletin. This is typically the longest part of the process for EB-3 unskilled workers. Time: 2-5+ years.

Green Card Application

File Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) if in the U.S. or complete consular processing if abroad. Time: 8-14 months after priority date is current.

Industries with EB-3 Opportunities

Hospitality

Hotels and resorts frequently hire for entry-level service roles that can qualify under EB-3 unskilled.

Agriculture

Farms and agribusinesses need year-round harvesters, laborers, and caretakers.

Construction

Builders and contractors require general laborers for various projects.

Food Processing

Meatpacking plants and food manufacturers often sponsor unskilled positions.

Long-Term Care

Nursing homes and care facilities may sponsor nurse’s aides and support staff.

Challenges and Considerations

Backlogs are significant – patience is required as wait times for some countries can exceed 5-10 years.

English proficiency and adaptability to U.S. workplace culture are crucial for long-term success.

EB-3 unskilled requirements PERM labor certification process Unskilled worker green card timeline