EB3 Green Card: Employment-Based Visa for Skilled and Unskilled Workers

The PERM process begins with the employer asking the Department of Labor (DOL) for a Prevailing Wage Determination (PWD). The PWD determines the minimum salary the employer must pay the employee according to the job requirements and job description.

The PWD lists the job title and job description that the employer is trying to fill.  The employer also lists the minimum education, experience, skills, and other requirements for the job.  For example, the employer may require minimum education and minimum experience.  The employer might require that the employee relocate or travel.  The DOL considers all theses factors into consideration when determining the prevailing wage.  The prevailing wage determination takes approximately 4-6 months.

After the employer receives the prevailing wage determination, the employer must undergo a period of recruitment. This requires the employer to test the job market to find a qualified, willing, and able U.S. employee for the job. The employer must undergo a series of recruitment steps defined by statute. The employer must provide a lawful job-related reason for not hiring qualified applicants. The recruitment period for the PERM process takes approximately 60 days to complete.

After the recruitment, the employer submits a Form 9089 (PERM application) to the DOL. This form asks DOL to certify that there are no qualified, willing, and able employees for the job and that the employer can proceed with the petition with USCIS. The PERM application can take anywhere from 4-6 months to be decided. The entire PERM process can take between 9-12 months.

The EB3 category of visas is available for:

• Skilled workers,
• Professionals, or
• Unskilled or Other workers

“Skilled workers” are persons whose job requires a minimum of 2 years of training or work experience and is not of a temporary or seasonal nature.   You must be able to demonstrate at least 2 years of job experience or training.  You must be performing work for which qualified workers are not available in the United States.

“Professionals” are persons whose job requires at least a U.S. baccalaureate degree or a foreign equivalent and are members of the professions. These are, among others, architects, engineers, lawyers, doctors, surgeons, elementary or secondary teachers, university, academics, or seminarians. You must be able to demonstrate that you possess a U.S. baccalaureate degree or foreign degree equivalent and that a baccalaureate degree is a standard required for entry into the occupation. You must be performing work for which qualified workers are not available in the United States. Education and experience may not be substituted for a baccalaureate degree.

“Unskilled” or other workers must be capable, at the time the petition is filed on your behalf, of performing unskilled labor (requiring less than 2 years training or experience), that is not of a temporary or seasonal nature, for which qualified workers are not available in the United States.

The employer must undergo the PERM process and obtain the Labor Certification explained above.  The employee must also have a permanent offer for employment to qualify for the EB3 green card.  A Labor Certification is a way to verify that the admission of a foreign employee to the U.S. will not harm job opportunities available to U.S. workers.

For the PERM, the employer must be registered as a business entity in a state.  The employer must also have a Federal Employer Identification Number and applicable business licenses.

The employer must also pay for the attorney’s fees of the PERM process.  There cannot be a promise of repayment from the employee.  The employer must comply with all regulatory requirements during the recruitment process.  There are no government fees to obtain a PWD or to apply for a PERM.

After the employer obtains a Labor Certification with the DOL, the employer submits Form I-140, all the supporting documentation and the applicable fees to USCIS.  The employer must prove that they can pay for the employer’s salary by submitting tax returns.  The employee must also submit evidence proving that they qualify for the position.

If the employee is in the United States, the employee can also apply for Adjustment of Status.  This gives the employee an EB3 green card in the United States.  If the employee is abroad, the employee will go through consular process. For more information on consular process click here. The consular process gives the employee an EB3 visa from abroad.

During the interview, your spouse submits evidence of the marriage, a police certificate, medical exam, biometrics, original civil documents, and his or her passport to the interviewing officer. If done correctly, the immigrant visa is approved, and a stamp is placed in the passport. The stamp allows your spouse to enter the U.S. as a green card holder. The green card and social security card arrive in the mail at the U.S. address.

The green card through marriage allows your spouse to live and work in the United States. This green card is valid for two years.  Before the expiration of the green card, your spouse must apply to remove the conditions of the green card through marriage.  Once these conditions are lifted, your spouse receives a permanent green card through the marriage to you. For more information on removal of conditions, click here

Many clients ask how to get a green card through marriage in the United States if the petitioner is not a U.S. citizen. Unfortunately, Spouses of permanent residents are not eligible to get a green card through marriage in the United States. Therefore, it is important that you understand exactly what you and your spouse are eligible to receive and how to get a green card through marriage the correct way.

The entire process of getting a green card through marriage is complicated and time-consuming. It is crucial that the case and the evidence are presented correctly to avoid unnecessary delays or additional costs.

We understand how important it is to bring your loved ones to the United States as quickly and efficiently as possible. It is our job and honor to help families reunite in the United States.