EB-3 Skilled Workers
& Professionals
Secure Your U.S. Green Card Through Employment
The EB-3 visa offers a stable and attainable path to U.S. permanent residency for skilled and professional workers. At Kameli Law, we represent both employers facing skills shortages and foreign professionals pursuing long-term immigration solutions. Our legal team manages every stage — from Prevailing Wage Determination and PERM labor certification to Form I-140 and final Adjustment of Status or Consular Processing — ensuring compliance, minimizing delays, and maintaining clear timelines.
Request a Free Evaluation
Find out if your position and background qualify under the EB-3 Skilled Worker or Professional categories.
What Is the EB-3 Category?
- Skilled Workers: Jobs requiring at least two years of training or experience.
- Professionals: Jobs requiring a U.S. bachelor’s degree or foreign equivalent.
Core Requirements
Eligibility Overview
Skilled Workers (2+ Years Training/Experience)
- The position must genuinely require at least two years of experience or training.
- The applicant must document equivalent experience.
- Temporary or seasonal roles do not qualify.
Professionals (Bachelor’s Degree Requirement)
- The occupation must normally require a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent).
- Experience cannot substitute for a degree when one is standard in the field.
- A credential evaluation is required for foreign degrees.
PERM Labor Certification Essentials
- No qualified U.S. workers found after good-faith recruitment.
- The offered wage meets or exceeds the prevailing wage.
- Job requirements are normal, consistent, and not tailored to the applicant.
EB-3 Compared to Other Categories
| Category | Typical Profile | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Extraordinary ability, outstanding researcher, multinational executive | Fastest processing, highest evidentiary bar |
| EB-2 | Advanced degree or exceptional ability | Often faster for some countries; higher documentation threshold |
| EB-3 | Skilled and professional workers | Broader accessibility, may have longer visa queues |
Strategic Tip: Our attorneys evaluate whether EB-2, EB-3, or a dual-track filing offers faster visa availability for your case.
Step-by-Step EB-3 Process
PERM Labor Certification (Department of Labor)
- Prevailing Wage Determination: Define the minimum lawful wage — accuracy at this stage prevents costly refiles.
- Recruitment & Audit File: Conduct required recruitment (ads, job order, etc.) and maintain a detailed audit file.
- Filing ETA Form 9089: Submit electronically; outcomes may include approval, audit, or supervised recruitment.
USCIS Stage (Form I-140 Immigrant Petition)
- Filed after PERM approval.
- Proves both employer ability to pay and beneficiary qualifications.
- Premium Processing may be used for faster adjudication (does not affect visa availability).
Final Stage — Green Card Issuance
- Adjustment of Status (I-485): For applicants inside the U.S. when the priority date is current.
- Consular Processing (NVC): For applicants abroad, concluding with a visa interview and entry as a permanent resident.
- During Adjustment, applicants may obtain EAD (work authorization) and Advance Parole (travel).
Check If You Qualify for EB-3 Sponsorship
We’ll assess your occupation, experience, and timeline to determine the most efficient strategy.
Required Documentation
Employer Evidence
- Business tax returns, audited financials, or annual reports
- Payroll records proving wage payment
- Recruitment reports and advertisements
- Business licenses or organizational charts
Employee (Beneficiary) Evidence
- Diplomas, transcripts, and credential evaluations
- Detailed experience letters specifying duties, technologies, and dates
- Professional licenses or certifications
- Passport, birth, and civil status documents
- Current U.S. status records (I-94, visa, prior approvals)
Supporting Evidence
- Certified English translations for non-English documents
- Wage surveys or expert opinions (if needed)
Key Benefits of the EB-3 Green Card Pathway
- Permanent Residency and freedom to change employers after a good-faith period
- Eligibility for U.S. citizenship after statutory residence
- Derivative benefits for your spouse and unmarried children under 21
- Career stability and flexibility post-approval
- End of visa renewals and nonimmigrant extension cycles
Common Challenges & How We Address Them
| Challenge | Kameli Law Strategy |
|---|---|
| PERM audits | Benchmark job criteria, maintain full recruitment documentation |
| Ability-to-pay concerns | Conduct early financial review and provide alternative evidence |
| Degree or credential mismatches | Pre-filing credential evaluations and explanatory letters |
| Visa retrogression | Dual-track EB-2/EB-3 filings and proactive document readiness |
| RFEs on experience | Collect detailed, duty-specific letters before filing |
| Consular delays | Prepare civil and police records early to prevent bottlenecks |
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between Skilled Worker and Professional classifications?
Skilled Workers require at least two years of experience; Professionals require a bachelor’s degree or foreign equivalent.
Can experience replace a degree for Professional classification?
Not when the occupation customarily requires a degree.
How long does the EB-3 process take?
Timelines vary based on prevailing wage, PERM processing, I-140 adjudication (premium or regular), and visa availability.
Can I work while my I-485 is pending?
Yes, once you receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
What happens if the priority date retrogresses?
USCIS pauses final adjudication until the date becomes current again.
Can I change employers before my green card is approved?
Only under AC21 portability after your I-485 has been pending 180+ days in a same or a similar occupation.
What if my PERM is denied?
We may seek reconsideration, appeal to BALCA, or refile with revised requirements.
For Employers
With nearly 30 years of experience in U.S. employment-based immigration, Kameli Law provides full-service representation for EB-3 Skilled Worker and Professional petitions — from prevailing wage to green card approval — for clients worldwide.