What Is EB-3 Green Card?
The EB-3 Green Card is a way for skilled workers, professionals, and other workers to get a job and live permanently in the United States. It’s meant for jobs that need at least two years of training or experience, a bachelor’s degree, or for jobs that require less training and are not temporary. The EB-3 is part of the United States’ effort to bring diverse skills to its workforce.
Advantages of EB-3 Green Card
The EB-3 Green Card offers a promising route for skilled workers, professionals, and other workers looking to build their careers and life in the United States. It encompasses a wide range of benefits, from employment and residency opportunities to family inclusion. Here, we delve into the specific advantages that make the EB-3 Green Card a sought-after option for many aspiring residents.
Permits
Employment Permit:
The EB-3 Green Card grants permission to work in the United States, opening up a variety of career paths across different sectors. This employment permit is a key benefit, helping Green Card holders secure their footing in the U.S. labor market and advance professionally.
Residence Permit:
Beyond work authorization, the EB-3 Green Card also offers a residence permit. This allows Green Card holders and their families to live in the U.S., establishing a stable home while pursuing employment opportunities.
Validity
The EB-3 Green Card provides a pathway to permanent residency in the United States, a feature that distinguishes it from many other non-immigrant visas. Once granted, it allows for an indefinite stay, subject to certain conditions and the Green Card process, marking a significant step towards building a long-term future in the U.S.
Family Members
Spouses:
A major benefit of the EB-3 Green Card is the accommodation it provides for spouses of Green Card holders. Spouses can apply for a dependent visa, enabling families to stay together and support each other as they adapt to life in the United States.
Children:
The EB-3 Green Card extends its benefits to the children (unmarried and under 21 years) of Green Card holders, allowing them to live, study, and grow in the U.S. alongside their parents. This ensures that families do not have to face separation, providing a cohesive family unit.
EB-3 Green Card Application Requirements
Understanding the requirements for the EB-3 Green Card is essential for skilled workers, professionals, and other workers aspiring to live and work permanently in the United States. The EB-3 Green Card stands as a crucial pathway for individuals seeking not only to advance their careers but also to contribute significantly to the U.S. workforce. Here, we break down the essential criteria and steps involved in the application process for an EB-3 Green Card, laying out a clear roadmap for potential applicants.
Essential Eligibility Criteria
The journey to securing an EB-3 Green Card begins with a comprehensive understanding of its specific requirements. This visa category is tailored for three main groups: skilled workers, professionals, and unskilled workers, each having distinct eligibility criteria.
Educational and Experience Requirements
Skilled Workers:
Applicants must demonstrate at least two years of job experience or training relevant to the position they are being offered.
Professionals:
A U.S. baccalaureate degree or its foreign equivalent is required, which is typically necessary for the professional job on offer.
Unskilled Workers:
For those applying as other workers, less than two years of experience or training is necessary for the unskilled labor position being considered.
Employment Offer
Prospective applicants must have a valid job offer from a U.S. employer to qualify for the EB-3 Green Card. The job offer should align with the applicant’s background in terms of education and experience.
Labor Certification
Employers must obtain a PERM Labor Certification from the Department of Labor, confirming that hiring a foreign worker will not disadvantage U.S. workers in similar roles regarding wages and working conditions.
Permanent Full-Time Offer
The job offer for EB-3 Green Card applicants must be for permanent, full-time employment. Temporary or seasonal jobs do not qualify under this visa category.
EB-3 Green Card Application Process
Understanding the steps to apply for an EB-3 Green Card, a valuable pathway for skilled workers, professionals, and other workers aiming to secure their future in the United States, is crucial. This guide simplifies the EB-3 Green Card application process into manageable steps, ensuring clarity and efficiency for prospective applicants.
Preliminary Preparation
Evaluation of Your Case:
The first step involves a thorough assessment of your qualifications against the EB-3 criteria. Determine which category you fall into: skilled worker, professional, or other worker, and ensure that you meet the specific requirements of that category.
Constituting Your Eligibility:
At this stage, it’s important to gather the necessary evidence that substantiates your eligibility, such as educational credentials and job experience. Consulting with an immigration attorney may also be beneficial to ensure a comprehensive evaluation.
Understanding the PERM Application
What is the PERM Application?
The Program Electronic Review Management (PERM) application is a prerequisite for most EB-3 Green Card categories. It’s a system used by the Department of Labor (DOL) to process labor certifications, which is an essential step in ensuring that the employment of foreign workers does not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of similarly employed U.S. workers.
Why it was Implemented?
The PERM process was implemented to streamline labor certification by making it faster and more efficient. It ensures a strict labor market test to protect U.S. workers and maintain the integrity of the immigration system.
Step by Step PERM Application Process
Prevailing Wage Determination:
The employer initiates the process by requesting a prevailing wage determination from the DOL, which defines the average wage for the occupation in the area of intended employment.
Recruitment Phase:
The employer must conduct recruitment efforts to test the labor market, demonstrating that there are no willing, able, qualified, and available U.S. workers for the position offered.
Filing the PERM Application:
After completing the recruitment process, the employer files the PERM application with the DOL, detailing the job duties, requirements, and recruitment results.
Approval:
Upon review, if the DOL certifies the PERM application, the employer then moves forward with filing the Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, on behalf of the candidate.
Necessary Documents
Preparing the necessary documentation is critical for a smooth application process. Essential documents typically include:
Passport: A valid passport is required for each applicant.
Educational and Professional Credentials: Diplomas, degrees, and certifications, alongside resumes and employment references, confirm your educational and professional qualifications.
Job Offer Letter: A permanent job offer from a U.S. employer is essential.
Labor Certification (PERM): Your employer must obtain a PERM Labor Certification from the Department of Labor.
Adjustment of Status
For those already in the U.S., the adjustment of status process involves filing Form I-485 to change their status to that of a lawful permanent resident.
Consular Processing
For applicants outside the U.S., consular processing involves coordinating with a U.S. consulate to obtain an immigrant visa based on the approved I-140 petition.
How Do We Manage Your Application Process?
48 to 72 hours
- Visa Strategy
- 11 to 15 months
- File Preparation
- Varies by application
- Official Procedures
- Process Completion
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- Customized file preparation from start to finish
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Overall Process Timeline (From Contract Start)
Department of Labor (DOL)
Approximately 4–6 months to obtain the DOL Labor Certification from the U.S. Department of Labor.
USCIS – Form I-140
To prevent delays, required documentation and immigration forms, including Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker), are prepared and submitted to USCIS concurrently while awaiting the DOL Labor Certification decision.
Note: USCIS provides sufficient time for applicants to complete and finalize their case files if additional documentation is required.
National Visa Center (NVC)
After USCIS approval and receipt of the approval notices, all required fees and documents are submitted to proceed with the case.
Subsequently, an official notification letter is issued by the National Visa Center (NVC) confirming case completion and forwarding the file for U.S. Embassy interview scheduling.
Embassy Notice
An official notice is sent via email confirming the date and time of the embassy interview.
Applicants are instructed to submit additional required documents and complete local procedures, including obtaining the interview registration and cargo delivery form in the country of interview.
Travel Ban Letter (If Applicable)
If the applicant is a citizen of a country subject to U.S. travel restrictions, all supporting documentation and approvals, including the employer guarantee letter, must be submitted to the interviewing consular officer in advance.
This step is essential to prevent visa delays or refusal.
Entry Visa
After visa issuance, applicants generally have three to six months to enter the United States.
In most employment-based cases, the foreign worker is required to report to the sponsoring employer within three months of entry.
Welcome to the United States
You and your family enter the United States and begin your new life.
Green Card
Within approximately 30 to 45 days after entering the United States, the Green Card is mailed to your registered U.S. address.
Passport and United States Citizenship
After the period determined by U.S. immigration authorities, applicants may declare readiness by completing the required forms to apply for U.S. citizenship and attend the naturalization examination.