What is EB3?

Employment-Based Immigration: Third Preference EB-3

To satisfy the labor market demand for unskilled workers in the United States (US), the US government offers an opportunity for eligible applicants to work and immigrate to the USA under the EB-3 Immigrant Visa Program.

Applicants can include their spouse as well as any children they have below the age of 21 in their EB3 application. One primary applicant can obtain a green card for every member of his/her family.

You may be eligible for this immigrant visa preference category if you are a professional, a skilled worker, or a worker falling under the “other worker” sub-category.

  1. “Professionals” are persons whose job requires at least a U.S. baccalaureate degree or a foreign equivalent and are members of the professions.
  2. “Skilled workers” are persons whose job requires a minimum of 2 years training or work experience. The work cannot be of a temporary or seasonal nature.
  3. The “other workers” subcategory is for persons performing unskilled labor requiring less than 2 years training or experience. The work cannot be of a temporary or seasonal nature.

Sub-categories Professionals – You must be able to demonstrate that you possess a U.S. baccalaureate degree or foreign equivalent degree, and that a baccalaureate degree is the normal requirement for entry into the profession.

You must be performing work for which qualified workers are not available in the United States.

Education and experience may not be substituted for a baccalaureate degree.

Certification: Labor certification and a permanent full-time job offer is required. 

Sub-categories Skilled Worker – You must be able to demonstrate at least 2 years of job experience or training.

You must be performing work for which qualified workers are not available in the United States.

Certification: Labor certification and a permanent full-time job offer is required.

Sub-categories Unskilled Workers (Other Workers) You must be capable, at the time the petition is filed on your behalf, of performing unskilled labor (requiring less than 2 years training or experience), that is not of a temporary or seasonal nature, for which qualified workers are not available in the United States. 

Certification: Labor certification and a permanent full-time job offer is required.

For the Unskilled Workers (Other Workers) Sub-Category, we have employers available who are willing to provide you a full-time job offer.

U.S. Department of Labor – Labor Certification

Third preference petitions must generally be accompanied by an approved, individual labor certification from the Department of Labor on Form ETA-9089. In some cases, the petition may be submitted to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) with an uncertified ETA-9089 for consideration as Schedule A, Group I. For more information, see the “U.S. Department of Labor: Foreign Labor Certification” page.

Family of EB-3 Visa Holders

Your spouse may be admitted to the United States in E34 (spouse of a “skilled worker” or “professional”) or EW4 (spouse of an “other worker”). During the process where you and your spouse are applying for permanent resident status (status as a green card holder), your spouse is eligible to file for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Your minor children (under the age of 21) may be admitted as E35 (child of a “skilled worker” or “professional”) or EW5 (child of an “other worker”).

EB3 Requirements


  • Must be in Good health;
  • Must have no Criminal Record

Note that the EB3 program for Unskilled workers does not require
  • Specific Personal Assets
  • Specific Educational Background
  • Specific Work Experience
  • Language Skill Testing

EB3 Process


Step 1

Application for Labour Certificate (LC) from US Department of Labour (DOL).

Step 2

I-140 Application, priority date will be issued when approved.

Step 3

National Visa Center (NVC) issues visa fee invoice when priority date is current.

Step 4

Pay Visa fees & submit DS-260 to NVC. The NVC will then begin the visa process.

Step 5

Local US State Department Consular Office Interview.

Step 6

Obtain Immigration Visa. Travel to the United states to officially land.

Step 7

Begin to work full-time for the sponsor employer.

Initial Documents Requirements


Principal Applicant Documents for Initial Application

  1. Passport copy: identification page and all pages with stamps or any writing OR Copy of Principal Applicant’s Identity Card (both sides and with English translation if required)
  2. Copy of Clean Drug Screening for as many of the following drugs as possible: Amphetamine, Benzodiazepines, Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Methadone, Morphine, Phencyclidine, Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
  3. Copy of Criminal Record Clearance
  4. Copy of completed US EB-3 Immigration Application Form with signed Appendix and Affidavit
  5. Copy of all current and previous U.S. visas (if any)
  6. All previous US Government approval or denial notices for any U.S. status application (if any)
  7. Copy of Criminal Record Clearance for all family member who are over the age of 18

Interview Documents

  1. Principal Applicant and all family member’s Passport (Valid for more than six months)
  2. Original Copy of Principal Applicant and all family member’s Birth Certificate
  3. Original Copy of Principal Applicant’s Marriage/Divorce/Single Certificate
  4. Original Copy of Criminal Record Clearance for Principal Applicant and all family member who are over the age of 16
  5. DS-260 Submission Confirmation Letter

EB3 Fees


Professional Legal and Administrative Fees

Quito International Consultancy Service Limited (QICSL) together with our partnered U.S. law firms, will provide all professional legal services pertaining to the applications of U.S. Green Cards for our clients. This including a review of each case to ensure it is suitable for an EB-3 filing and that it will most likely result in a positive outcome for our clients. We offer 100% refund of all legal fees paid by the client within 30 days of a final denial decision. Please note that any government filing fees paid are not refundable.

Government Fees

  1. USCIS application fee: US $700
  2. USCIS application premium processing fee (if desired): US $700 + additional $1,225
  3. US Department of State Immigrant visa application processing fee: US $345 per person
  4. USCIS immigrant fee: US $165 per person