EB3 Visa Processing Time
The EB3 Visa is a third-priority worker visa reserved for foreign workers, including British nationals who wish to move permanently to the United States. The EB3 immigrant visas require a company to sponsor the overseas citizen as a foreign worker and this can impact on the processing time.
If you have any questions regarding the EB3 immigrant visas, or citizenship and immigration services, you can contact our expert immigration attorney to discuss any concerns that you may have, or for some help navigating the process.
You can call us on 0333 305 9375, or contact us online seven days a week via our live chat.
Page Contents
- What are the requirements to obtain an EB3 Visa?
- What are examples of employment for each EB3 category?
- What are the benefits of EB3 immigrant visas?
- How to apply for an EB3 visa?
- What is the EB3 Visa Processing Time?
- Costs of the application process for the EB 3 visa
- How Total Law Can Help?
- Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements to obtain an EB3 Visa?
To be eligible for an EB 3 employment-based immigrant Visa, foreign nationals must at least meet one of the following requirements:
- Be a skilled Worker: You must demonstrate that you have a minimum of two years of professional experience or training (some post-secondary education may qualify as training) and be doing a job that no American citizen or lawful permanent resident can do.
- Be a Professional worker: You must demonstrate that you hold a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent degree in the related field. If you have professional work experience and a degree, but it is not a bachelor’s degree, you will not be eligible.
- Be an Unskilled Worker: Working in “unskilled” labor is defined as a role that requires less than two years of training or experience.
- Possess a labor certification, which permits American companies to hire UK nationals (or other foreigners) to work permanently in the United States. This labor certification means the company has to prove that no American citizens can do the job. The company must apply for this certificate.
- Have an employment offer from a company that is based within the US, where the employment is not temporary or seasonal.
What are examples of employment for each EB3 category?
Skilled workers include anyone that requires a specific set of skills such as computer scientists, financial technicians, administrative assistants, law enforcement officers, electricians, graphic designers, supervisors, and journalists.
Professionals include anyone that requires a bachelor’s degree, such as lawyers, architects, engineers, architects, authors, chemists, scientists, doctors, nurses, surgeons, editors, engineers, accountants, and teachers.
Unskilled workers and other workers are workers who do not require extensive experience or training. While they are considered unskilled, each job does still require specific skills to perform tasks. Jobs in this set include caretakers, grocery clerks, farm laborers, hotel housekeepers, general cleaners, sweepers, housekeepers, nannies, and janitors.
What are the benefits of EB3 immigrant visas?
British citizens with an EB3 visa may travel to the US to work and it could eventually lead to a US green card.
Once a green card is approved, holders have the right to:
- Work.
- Freely change employers.
- Travel within the states and internationally freely.
- Live in the state of their choice.
- Obtain a driver’s license.
- Access health care and a social insurance number.
- Attend school.
How to apply for an EB3 visa?
To obtain an EB3 Green Card the applicant must have a US company as a sponsor. This means applicants need to get a job offer for a permanent, full-time position that no other qualified workers that are American or US permanent residents, already based in the US can do. This is not a self-petition visa.
It can’t be a job that is temporary or seasonal and applicants must follow the perm labor certification process in order to obtain a EB3 visa.
What is the EB3 Visa Processing Time?
It is important to note that EB3 visas have a visa cap determined by the United States Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) of 40,000 visas per year. Once this quota is reached, all other applications, even those already submitted, will be put on hold and pushed to the following year. Due to this quota system, it is common for there to be a backlog of applications. As such, processing time can take anywhere from one to three years.
It is possible to speed up the process slightly via fast-track processing. This means your US sponsor can pay a premium processing fee of $1,410 to reduce the processing time of your EB3 visa to 15 days, however, this will not help if your permit priority date is still not current.
Cost associated with the application process for a EB3 visa
There are a number of fees associated with applying for a EB3 visa. They include:
- DOL Labor Certification fees (to be paid by your employer)
- Application fees: $345
- Fees for filing the Immigration Petition for Alien Worker: $70
- Biometric fees for medical examinations
- Any other further cost for the translation of your supporting documents
- Optional premium processing fee: $1,410
How Total Law Can Help?
The EB 3 visa is a great route to obtaining permanent residence in the United States, but with so many requirements, it can get complicated and stressful.
Our team is full of talented immigration lawyers who are experts in US immigration and pros at making the process straightforward and non-stressful.
We are available to support you seven days a week, by phone or by online chat on our website.
Advice Package
Comprehensive immigration advice tailored to your circumstances and goals.
Application Package
Designed to make your visa application as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Fast Track Package
Premium application service that ensures your visa application is submitted to meet your deadline.
Appeal Package
Ensure you have the greatest chance of a successful appeal. We will represent you in any case.
The Advice Package
During this untimed Advice Session with our professional immigration lawyers in London, you will receive our comprehensive advice, completely tailored to your needs and your situation.
The Application Package
With our Application Package, your dedicated immigration lawyer will advise you on your application process and eligibility. Your caseworker will then complete and submit your forms to the Home Office on your behalf.
The Fast Track Package
Our Fast-Track Application Package is a premium service for those who need to submit their application in time with their deadlines. Your case will become a top priority for our lawyers and you will benefit from our highest-quality services.
The Appeal Package
By choosing our Appeal Package, you can rely on our lawyers’ legal knowledge and experience to ensure you have the highest chance of a successful appeal. We will also fully represent you in any hearings/tribunals.
Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the Department of State doesn’t impose any restrictions on the number of times you may travel in and out of the U.S while holding a EB3 visa.
EB3 visa applications can be denied for multiple reasons. The most common reason is fraud or misinterpretation of fake documents and information. You are advised to consult an immigration lawyer for advice when making your application to avoid potential mistakes.
Applications can also be rejected due to criminal history. This includes any record of crimes such as drug trafficking or armed robbery in your home country or any other foreign country. If you overstayed a previous visa in the US, this could lead to rejection of any future visa applications.
