USA immigration
US EB-3 Employer Sponsored Green Card
Permanent residency in the United States through an employer who sponsors your skilled, professional or other-worker position.
Overview
How EB-3 works
EB-3 is an employment-based green card. A United States employer proves that no suitable local worker is available, then petitions for you. Once your priority date is current, you complete consular processing and move to the US as a permanent resident.
- Skilled workers — positions requiring at least two years of training or experience
- Professionals — positions requiring a US bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent
- Other workers — unskilled positions requiring less than two years of training
- Spouse and children under 21 are included in the same case
- 3 stages
- PERM, I-140, consular processing
- Family
- Spouse and children included
- Green card
- Permanent residence on arrival
Process
The three stages
- 01Employer and PERM labour certificationThe employer advertises the role and files PERM with the Department of Labor. Your priority date is set when PERM is filed.
- 02Form I-140 petitionThe employer files the immigrant petition with USCIS proving the job offer and their ability to pay.
- 03Priority date and visa bulletinYou wait until your priority date becomes current in the monthly Visa Bulletin for your country of birth.
- 04Consular processingThe National Visa Center collects documents and fees, then you attend an interview at the US embassy.
- 05Medical and visa issuancePanel physician medical, visa issued, and you travel within the validity period.
- 06Arrival and green cardYou are admitted as a permanent resident and the physical card is mailed to your US address.
Checklist
Documents you will need
- Valid passport for every family member
- Birth certificates (and NADRA records where required)
- Marriage certificate
- Education certificates and transcripts
- Experience letters matching the job requirements
- Police certificates for every country lived in
- Medical examination from an approved panel physician
- Passport photographs to US specification
What decides your timeline
| Stage | What it depends on |
|---|---|
| PERM | Department of Labor processing and any audit. |
| I-140 | USCIS processing; premium processing can speed this stage up. |
| Priority date | Monthly Visa Bulletin movement for your country of birth. |
| Consular stage | Embassy appointment availability and document completeness. |
FAQ
EB-3 questions
Do I need a job offer?
Yes. EB-3 is entirely employer driven — a genuine, full-time, permanent position in the United States is required.
How long does EB-3 take?
It depends on PERM and USCIS processing and on visa bulletin movement for your country. We give you a realistic range for your case and keep you updated.
Can my family travel with me?
Yes. Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 receive derivative visas in the same case.
Is EB-3 a work permit or permanent residence?
It leads to permanent residence. You arrive as a lawful permanent resident, not on a temporary work permit.
Free assessment
Start your EB-3 assessment
Share your profile and we will tell you honestly whether EB-3 is realistic for you.
Have questions about EB-3?
Speak to our USA team before you commit to any process or payment.