Must-Know Facts About the EB-3 Green Card Timeline
Must-Know Facts
For most applicants, obtaining an EB-3 green card typically takes between 2 to 5 years. Your country of origin plays the largest role in determining wait times. Applicants from most countries face about a 2-year wait before a visa becomes available, while nationals of China wait around 4.5 years and those from India can face delays of up to 12 years.
Although paying a $2,805 premium processing fee can shorten the Form I-140 processing time to just 15 business days, this does not speed up other steps in the EB-3 process.
Many foreign nationals begin their journey to the U.S. on a temporary nonimmigrant visa, but others seek to make the United States their permanent home. Green cards allow immigrants to live and work in the U.S. in renewable 10-year periods. One of the most common paths is the EB-3 green card, which has relatively accessible eligibility requirements. However, its popularity also means applicants often experience longer processing times. Below, Green Card Link explains what you need to know about EB-3 visa processing time in 2025.
EB-3 Processing Timeline
Step One: PERM Labor Certification
The PERM labor certification ensures that hiring a foreign worker does not harm the wages or working conditions of qualified U.S. workers. This step includes:
- Prevailing Wage Determination: Takes around 5 months according to the Department of Labor.
- Recruitment Period: Employers must advertise the job for U.S. workers, usually lasting 2–3 months.
- Form ETA-9089 Filing: Once filed, the Department of Labor takes about 16 months to process. If audited, this could take even longer. Importantly, the filing date establishes your priority date, which is your place in line for a green card.
Estimated total: About 2 years.
Step Two: Form I-140 Petition
- Standard I-140 processing time: Around 8 months.
- With premium processing ($2,805 fee): 15 business days
Step Three: Priority Date and Visa Bulletin
Your priority date (the date your ETA-9089 was filed) determines when you can move forward. The U.S. sets annual visa limits by country, which creates long waits for high-demand nations.
- Most countries: ~2 years
- China: 4+ years
- India: 12+ years
While waiting, your place in line continues moving forward as visa bulletin dates advance.
Step Three: Priority Date and Visa Bulletin
- Adjustment of Status (Form I-485): For applicants already in the U.S. on a valid visa. Typically 6–12 months. Unfortunately, there is no way to expedite this step. Applicants can check USCIS’s official processing time tool for the most accurate updates.
- Consular Processing: For those outside the U.S. Typically 3–6 months, depending on embassy or consulate availability. Steps include:
- Paying fees
- Submitting Form DS-260
- Uploading documents online
- NVC document review
- Medical exam with an approved physician
- Consular interview
- Paying fees
Importantly, some parts of the process overlap. For example, while your I-140 is pending, your priority date is still advancing in the visa line.
EB-3 Wait Times by Country
According to the most recent Visa Bulletin:
- India: ~12 years, 2 months
- China (mainland born): ~4 years, 8 months
- Mexico, Philippines, and all other countries: ~2 years, 4 months
Because timelines can change, it’s best to consult immigration attorneys at Green Card Link for the most up-to-date strategy. In some cases, porting to another category (such as EB-2) may be a better option.
Premium Processing: Does It Help?
USCIS offers premium processing for certain forms, including the I-140. For $2,805, USCIS guarantees a decision in 15 business days.
However:
- Premium processing does not affect your priority date.
- It will not speed up the visa bulletin backlog.
- It also does not improve your chances of approval.
If your priority date will not be current for years, premium processing may not meaningfully benefit your case. Green Card Link and its immigration attorneys can help determine whether premium processing is worth pursuing for your specific situation.
Premium Processing: Does It Help?
The EB-3 category is part of the third preference employment-based immigrant visas. Unlike EB-1 and EB-2, it has less strict requirements. You may qualify under one of three categories:
- Professionals – You hold a bachelor’s degree and your occupation requires it.
- Skilled Workers – You have at least two years of job experience or training.
- Unskilled Workers (Other Workers) – You are applying for a permanent, full-time job for which there are not enough available U.S. workers.
Because EB-3 requirements are more accessible, the category is highly competitive, which explains longer wait times.
Schedule a Consultation
The EB-3 green card process is complex, with multiple steps, wait times, and country-specific rules. At Green Card Link, its immigration attorneys guide clients through every stage—from PERM labor certification to I-485 approval—helping maximize your chances of success.
📞 Contact Green Card Link today to schedule a consultation and receive a personalized assessment of your EB-3 eligibility and timeline.
EB-3 Visa Process: Step-by-Step Guide
The EB-3 visa is a valuable employment-based green card option for foreign workers seeking permanent residency in the United States. To obtain this visa, applicants must follow the standard employment-based green card process, which involves multiple stages.
Step 1: Employer Sponsorship
Your journey begins with securing a U.S. employer who is willing to sponsor your green card application. The EB-3 category requires employer sponsorship and cannot be self-petitioned.
Step 2: PERM Labor Certification
Your employer must obtain a PERM Labor Certification from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). This certification involves a thorough recruitment process to confirm that no qualified U.S. workers are available, willing, or able to take the offered position.
Step 3: Filing Form I-140
Once the PERM is approved, your employer can file Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, on your behalf. This petition demonstrates that the employer intends to hire you permanently and that you meet the qualifications for the position.
Step 4: Waiting for Your Priority Date
After filing, you must wait for your priority date to become current according to the Department of State’s Visa Bulletin. Your priority date is the day your ETA-9089 application was filed with the DOL. This date determines your place in the green card queue.
Step 5: Adjustment of Status or Consular Processing
Once your priority date is current, you can apply for permanent residency:
- If you are already in the U.S., file Form I-485, Adjustment of Status.
- If you are abroad, file the DS-260 Online Immigrant Visa Application and complete consular processing through the National Visa Center (NVC).
Step 6: USCIS or Consular Interview
The final stage involves an interview—either at a local USCIS office (if applying inside the U.S.) or at a U.S. consulate or embassy abroad. If approved, you will be issued your EB-3 immigrant visa or green card.
Understanding EB-3 Priority Dates
Your priority date is the filing date of your ETA-9089 (PERM). This date is crucial because the U.S. only issues a limited number of employment-based green cards each year.
If the demand for EB-3 visas exceeds the supply, a backlog occurs. For some applicants—particularly those from India and China—this can mean waiting 5 to 10+ years before a green card becomes available. In contrast, applicants from other countries may experience shorter waiting times if their chargeability area remains “current.”
Example:
A nurse from the Philippines with a priority date of August 1, 2022, might find the Visa Bulletin’s final action date listed as January 1, 2023. This means she would wait at least five months before becoming eligible to apply for adjustment of status. However, visa bulletin dates may move forward or stall depending on demand.
Benefits of the EB-3 Visa
The EB-3 green card comes with several advantages:
- Grants lawful permanent residency in the U.S.
- No separate Employment Authorization Document (EAD) required to work.
- Less stringent eligibility requirements compared to EB-1 or EB-2 visas.
- Spouse and children may also immigrate with you.
- Flexibility to change jobs or employers after a certain period.
EB-3 Consular Processing
If you are outside the U.S., your EB-3 application will proceed through consular processing. The steps include:
- Complete Form DS-261 – Once your I-140 is approved and your case is transferred to the NVC, you must complete the DS-261 online.
- Medical Examination – Schedule a required immigration medical exam and vaccinations.
- Submit Supporting Documents – Including passport, photographs, approved PERM certification, I-140 approval, DS-261 confirmation, employment letter, academic records, resume, criminal records (if applicable), and medical results.
- Visa Interview – Attend your scheduled interview at the consulate. If approved, you will receive your immigrant visa and a sealed packet to present at a U.S. port of entry. Once admitted, your green card will be mailed to you.
EB-3 Consular Processing
Costs vary depending on whether you are applying inside or outside the U.S. Employers and employees share different responsibilities:
Employer Costs
- I-140 Filing Fee: $715
- Asylum Program Fee:
- Regular Petitioner: $600
- Small Employer or Self-Petitioner: $300
- Nonprofit: $0
- Regular Petitioner: $600
- Premium Processing (optional): $2,805
Employee Costs
- Adjustment of Status (Form I-485): $1,440 (for applicants inside the U.S.)
- Consular Processing Fee: $345 (for applicants abroad)
- USCIS Immigrant Fee: $235
- Medical Exam Fee: Varies by physician
Employers may also incur advertising expenses for the PERM recruitment process. While hiring an immigration attorney is optional, consulting an immigration attorney at Green Card Link is strongly recommended to avoid delays or mistakes.
Frequently Asked Questions About the EB-3 Visa
How long does the EB-3 green card process take?
Processing can range from 2 to 11 years, depending on your country of origin and whether premium processing is used. Applicants from China and India generally face the longest wait times.
Can EB-3 visa holders bring dependents?
Yes. Spouses and unmarried children under 21 may accompany you and apply for derivative visas.
Can I upgrade from EB-3 to EB-2?
In some cases, applicants may file for EB-2 after I-140 approval if they meet the qualifications and their employer supports the new petition.
How Green Card Link Can Help
Navigating the EB-3 process can be overwhelming. At Green Card Link, its immigration attorneys have extensive experience assisting both employers and foreign workers with employment-based green card petitions. They provide personalized guidance, ensure proper documentation, and help maximize your chances of approval.
If you have questions about your EB-3 green card application in 2023 or 2024, schedule a consultation with an immigration attorney at Green Card Link today.