EB-3 unskilled visa: frequently asked questions

PERM labor certification usually takes over a year. After that, the wait depends on the monthly Visa Bulletin. With the October 2026 final action date at January 1, 2022 for most countries, new cases should plan for roughly 4 to 6 years or more in total.

Most positions require no prior experience. Basic English helps in the employer interview and the visa interview, and some employers set their own language requirement.

Yes. Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 are included as derivative beneficiaries and receive green cards with you.

If you are abroad, you move to the U.S. when your immigrant visa is issued. If you are already in the U.S. with valid status, you may be able to file for adjustment of status and a work permit once your priority date is current.

You must take the sponsored job with a genuine intent to work there. Once you hold your green card and have worked in the role, you are free to build your career as a permanent resident.

If an employer withdraws before I-140 approval, the case usually restarts with a new sponsor. Your written agreement explains how fees already paid are handled.

No. For the Visa Bulletin, applicants born in Taiwan, Hong Kong or Macau use the worldwide (all chargeability areas) dates, which are currently about two years ahead of mainland China's.

The employer pays all PERM labor certification costs by law. You pay our programme fee, government filing fees for the I-140 (where agreed) and your immigrant visa or adjustment of status, plus medical exams, documents and travel. We give you the full amount in writing, by family size, before you pay anything.

It is a U.S. employment-based green card category for permanent, full-time jobs that need less than two years of training or experience. A U.S. employer sponsors the worker through PERM labor certification and Form I-140, and the worker's spouse and unmarried children under 21 can immigrate with them.

Permanent, full-time, year-round roles that need less than two years of training or experience, such as fast food crew, food preparation, hotel housekeeping, warehouse work, production line work and some driving roles. Seasonal or temporary jobs do not qualify.

U.S. immigration law sets no upper age limit and no English test for EB-3 Other Workers. You must be able to do the job, and the employer may set its own requirements, such as basic English for safety or customer service.