EB-3 Success Case: Mainland China Kitchen Helper—Other Workers Green Card

Short answer: A mainland China-born applicant worked as a restaurant kitchen helper (dishwashing, prep support, running food) under EB-3 Other Workers (unskilled). After recruitment, PERM and I-140, the case waited for visa numbers by birthplace and subcategory, then received a consular immigrant visa in 2026.

Milestones

Stage	Timing	Result
Recruitment and ads	Feb–May 2018	Completed
PERM filed	Jun 2018	Receipt
PERM certified	Jan 2019	Approved
I-140 approved	Jul 2019	Approved
Waiting for numbers	2019–2026	Bulletin movement
NVC / medical	Mar–May 2026	Qualified
Interview	Jun 2026	Visa
Entry	Jul 2026	Completed

Mainland China birth in Other Workers often faces long backlogs—check the Visa Bulletin monthly. See US EB-3 Employment-Based Immigration.

Lessons

Unskilled cases can still wait years for numbers; plan status and family life after I-140 approval.

Global Immigrate’s recommendation

Keep PERM wording unskilled so the case is not treated as skilled without proof. Retain full priority-date records. Start family civil documents before the priority date becomes current.

Data current as of October 2026. General information only; not legal advice. Individual results vary.

Frequently asked questions

Is Other Workers always very long for mainland China?

This subcategory has often had significant backlogs; the monthly Visa Bulletin is the authority—no fixed number of years is guaranteed.

Would skilled be faster?

Only if the job and experience truly meet the two-year skilled standard—do not misclassify for speed.

Can this case be copied?

The path can be referenced; backlog and outcomes vary.

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.