EB-3 Other Workers Explained: 2026 Rules and Dates
Other Workers covers permanent full-time jobs needing under two years of training, with an employer and PERM. Oct 2026 final action date for Taiwan and Hong Kong: 1 Jan 2022.
Short answer: EB-3 Other Workers covers permanent full-time jobs that need less than two years of training or experience. A U.S. employer, PERM labor certification and an I-140 are still required. In the October 2026 Visa Bulletin, the final action date for Taiwan and Hong Kong is 1 January 2022.
What is the EB-3 Other Workers category?
Other Workers is a subcategory of the third employment-based preference (EB-3). It fits permanent, non-seasonal, full-time jobs that do not require two years of training or experience.
You still need a U.S. employer with a genuine job offer, plus PERM and an I-140. It is not an employer-free route. An approved I-140 alone does not let you start work in the U.S. before the green card, unless you hold another valid work status.
How does it differ from other EB-3 categories?
| Item | Skilled Workers | Professionals | Other Workers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical requirement | Job needs at least 2 years of training or experience | Job requires a bachelor's degree | Job needs less than 2 years |
| Employer | Required | Required | Required |
| Labor certification | Usually | Usually | Usually |
| Visa Bulletin | Same category, different row | Different row | Own row |
The subcategory is set by the job's minimum requirements, not by your personal qualifications. Even with a higher degree, if the job does not require two years of experience, it remains Other Workers. A job title alone does not decide it.
What are the 2026 dates?
| Visa Bulletin (Other Workers) | Final Action Date | Dates for Filing |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 2026: most countries (incl. Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau) | 1 Jan 2022 | 1 Jun 2022 |
| Mainland China | 1 Oct 2019 | 1 Oct 2020 |
| India | 1 Jan 2014 | 15 Jan 2015 |
| Mexico, Philippines | 1 Jan 2022 | 1 Jun 2022 |
In November 2026, the final action date for most countries is 1 June 2022. Your priority date must be earlier than the final action date before you can move to the visa stage. For PERM-based cases, the priority date is the date the PERM (ETA-9089) was filed, not the approval date.
What should Taiwan and Hong Kong applicants know?
Dates follow country of birth, and Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau currently share the date for most countries. Your priority date must be earlier than the final action date for the month of your interview. Check our October 2026 bulletin analysis and the Taiwan and Hong Kong applicant guide each month. Mainland China-born applicants face an earlier cutoff.
Is Other Workers easier to get approved?
Not necessarily. A lower threshold does not mean lighter review. The employer's recruitment, wage level and ability to pay are all examined.
Related reading: PERM step by step, EB-3 vs EB-2, Taiwan and Hong Kong applicants. Browse jobs or the process.
Last updated: 30 October 2026
Questions? admin@usa-eb3.com, WhatsApp +852 6888 4742, LINE oscar_gi.
Frequently asked questions
Do Other Workers still need labor certification?
Yes. In most cases the employer must complete PERM before filing the I-140.
Can someone with a degree use Other Workers?
Yes. Classification depends on the job's requirements, not your education. If the job needs under two years of experience, it is Other Workers.
How is the priority date set?
In PERM-based cases it is the date the labor certification (ETA-9089) was filed, not the approval date.
Can my spouse and children come too?
A spouse and unmarried children under 21 can generally be derivatives. Plan ahead for the risk of a child aging out.
Official sources
General information only, not legal advice. Immigration rules and the Visa Bulletin change; check the official sources above before you decide. Petitions are prepared and filed by the sponsoring employer’s licensed U.S. immigration attorney.