The EB3 visa, also known as Green card, is a US visa option for foreign skilled workers who have gotten a job offer from a licensed organization in the United States. It is the go-to option for applicants who couldn’t qualify for any other type of work visa.
Every year, the USCIS grants a maximum number of 40,040 applications for the EB3 visa, after which applications are suspended till the next year.
Whether you are a skilled worker, professional or degree holder with plans to begin your application process for the EB3 visa in 2025, this article will serve as a friendly guide to navigating EB3 visa requirements 2025, EB3 visa application process and the eligibility criteria involved for each category of the visa.
What Are The Requirements For The EB3 Visa In 2025?
EB3 visa requirements 2025 is majorly dependent on the labor category you fall into. Are you a US skilled worker with a minimum of 2 years work experience or, you’ve been doing unskilled labor for the past two years in the United States? Professionals with a US bachelor’s degree are also welcome to apply.
Whichever category you fall into, adequate information on the requirements will help support your EB3 immigration process in 2025.
Here are the EB3 visa requirements to look out for as an applicant in 2025;
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Certification
As an EB3 visa applicant in 2025, you are mandated to get a PERM Labor Certification from the United States Department of Labor. This measure was put in place to ensure foreign skilled workers aren’t receiving priority treatment over the US citizens in a job position. Businesses or companies must also ensure that they have done their due diligence of recruiting within or above the minimum wage for that role.
So, before you go ahead to apply for an EB3 visa, you must have been certified by the Labor Department that your employment offer will not affect the earnings and employability of other US skilled workers in that occupation or role.
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Sponsorship
Do not go ahead with the EB3 visa application process if your US employer is not willing to sponsor your EB3 visa petition. It is not enough that you have received a full-time job offer as a foreign applicant, they must also be willing and eligible to provide visa sponsorship for your immigration.
To be eligible for EB3 visa sponsorship, employers must be able to pay you the recommended wage range for that role until you receive permanent residency from the US government. Documents like their federal tax returns, financial statements are used to verify their eligibility and claims to meet up to the standard wage for the job.
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Documentation
There are some documents applicants for the EB3 visa are required to submit to begin the application process. You’ll later learn more on them in another section of this article but be prepared to compile and send in every necessary document that validates your work experience and professional level.
Reference letters from previous employers, genuine certifications/degrees and records of past training must be adequately translated in English language for easy readability and verification.
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Health, Finance & Criminal Status
The USCIS directs that applicants must be examined medically by a medical practitioner in an approved medical institution for past ailments, medical history and current health status. This report is then compiled for your application process.
You must also prove that you can financially sustain yourself in the US with your employer’s credibility to pay the standard wage for the job role. Clean criminal records from your country of residence that shows you’ve never had a criminal history are also an added advantage.
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Immigration Status
The US government needs to know if you are just migrating into the United States or you’ve been living in the county prior to the time you began your EB3 application status.
If you are an applicant already living in the US at the time of application, you must be careful to maintain your non-immigrant status until a decision is made on your application to avoid ruining your chances of a successful application.
These 5 major EB3 visa requirements are certain to help give you a great start in the application process but we also recommend involving an immigration lawyer or firm that can further hold your hands and provide adequate support and information on any newer changes we might have missed in this article.
How To Meet The Eligibility Criteria For An Eb3 Visa Application
To meet the EB3 visa eligibility criteria, you must have met up with the requirements for your work category and done your due diligence of following the stipulated process.
Gather the documentations and certificates that are most relevant to your category as a skilled/unskilled worker or professional degree holder. Research US companies that are capable of offering you visa sponsorship in your employment offer, and make sure the wages and job descriptions match your experience or qualifications level. If all of these checks out, you can now proceed with your application process.
Step-by-step Guide To Applying For The Eb3 Visa In 2025
This step-by-step application guide will improve your chances of a successful application for the EB3 visa this year;
- Get an employment offer from a US company that is willing and eligible to offer you a EB3 visa sponsorship. Make sure everything checks out in terms of salary, job role and employment contract.
- To determine the right wage for your job role, ask your US employer to get a PWD(Prevailing Wage Determination) from the United States Department of Labor. This might take up to 4 months.
- Follow through the process of getting a PERM Labor certification with your employer’s active participation.
- After the PERM procedure is completed and your application has been granted, your US employer must then proceed to file for a Form 1-140 petition with the USCIS as a requirement for foreign workers.
- Track your visa application priority date. This is often the date the USCIS accepts your form 1-140 petition.
- If you are a non-immigrant, proceed with your application by submitting all necessary results and documentation and attend visa interviews if summoned to one. If you are an immigrant however, continue your EB3 application online and attend visa interviews in your country’s US embassy. Compile and send in all documents too.
- Always be available for spontaneous requests by the USCIS for supporting evidence or documentation and, wait for approval.
- If approved as a non-immigrant, your EB3 visa/ Green card will be sent via email. If approved as an immigration, your Green card will be received at a US consulate where you will be asked to pay an immigrant fee.
Key Documents Needed For The Eb3 Visa Application Process
Here are the key documents needed for the EB3 visa application process;
– A 6-months valid passport showing former travel history
– Official Date of Birth certificate
– If Legally recognized marriage or divorce certificate if you fall into any of the two categories
– Evidence of immigration status if applying as a non-immigrant.
– Original copies of your degree or diploma certificates
– Original training certificates for workers.
– Reference letters from a previous employer
