Key takeaways
The EB-3 Green Card at a glance
| Visa category | EB-3 — Employment-Based Third Preference |
|---|---|
| Annual visa allocation | ~40,040 28.6% of the 140,000 annual US employment-based immigrant visas |
| Three sub-categories | Skilled, Unskilled, Professionals Each with different experience and education requirements |
| Job offer required | Yes — permanent full-time Employer must sponsor the applicant and file Form I-140 |
| PERM labor certification | Yes Employer must prove no qualified US worker is available for the position |
| Processing time (country-dependent) | Varies by country India and China experience extended waits due to per-country quotas; other countries typically two to three years subject to USCIS and DOL workload |
| Family inclusion | Spouse and children under 21 Green cards issued alongside the primary applicant |
| Path to citizenship | 5 years as green card holder Plus basic English, civics knowledge, and continuous US residency requirements |
Why EB-3 through Mercan
Live permanently in the US
EB-3 provides full permanent residency in the United States. You can live anywhere in the country, change addresses freely, and receive a 10-year renewable Green Card.
Work without restriction
Green card holders can work for any US employer without needing additional work authorization (EAD). You can change jobs, start a business, or become self-employed.
Bring your family
Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 are included as derivative beneficiaries and receive Green Cards at the same time as the primary applicant.
Unrestricted US travel
Enter and exit the United States freely throughout the year (subject to maintaining continuous residency for citizenship eligibility).
Path to US citizenship
After 5 years as a Green Card holder you become eligible to apply for US citizenship and a US passport, which grants visa-free access to 186 countries.
Unskilled category — no prior experience
The EB-3 Unskilled Worker category requires no prior work experience, no language testing, and no educational attainment — the most accessible permanent residency route for the United States.
Eligibility requirements by category
The EB-3 category has three tracks. Mercan helps identify which track fits your background and matches you with an appropriate US employer.
- 1
EB-3 Unskilled / Other Workers
You must be able to perform labor requiring less than 2 years of training or experience. The job must be one where qualified US workers are unavailable. No language test required. No educational attainment required. This is Mercan's primary route for candidates without extensive work history.
- 2
EB-3 Skilled Workers
You must have at least 2 years of relevant job experience, post-secondary education, or specialized training matching the job requirements. The job must be one where qualified US workers are unavailable. Post-secondary education may count toward the required training.
- 3
EB-3 Professionals
You must hold a US baccalaureate degree (or foreign-equivalent) and work in a role where qualified US workers are unavailable. Education must be independently verified and match the job-specific requirements on the labor certification.
- 4
Permanent full-time job offer (all categories)
You must have a permanent, full-time job offer from a US employer willing to sponsor your application. The employer files the PERM labor certification with the Department of Labor and subsequently files Form I-140 with USCIS. Mercan connects candidates with pre-approved US employers.
- 5
Admissibility to the United States
No criminal record, no prior US immigration violations, no communicable diseases, and no history of immigration fraud. Medical examination and police clearances are required during consular processing.
- 6
Visa bulletin priority date
You must wait for your priority date (the date the PERM was filed) to become current under the US Department of State visa bulletin. Nationals of India and China experience extended waits; most other countries move faster.
The EB-3 process in 9 steps
Mercan manages the full process from eligibility screening to Green Card delivery. Typical timeline varies by country of birth due to US visa bulletin backlogs.
- 1
Application and screening
1–2 weeksComplete Mercan's initial assessment form. Our team evaluates your eligibility for the Unskilled, Skilled, or Professionals EB-3 category and confirms viability before you commit.
- 2
Employer matching
2–6 weeksMercan pairs you with a qualified US employer that has current job openings matching your profile and is willing to sponsor an EB-3 petition.
- 3
Job offer and acceptance
1–2 weeksThe US employer extends a permanent, full-time job offer. Once accepted in writing, the sponsorship process begins.
- 4
PERM labor certification
6–12 monthsThe US employer files Form ETA 9089 (PERM) with the Department of Labor. PERM requires the employer to prove no qualified US worker is available for the role through a mandatory recruitment process.
- 5
Form I-140 immigrant petition
6–9 months (premium: 45 days)The employer files Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker) with USCIS. Premium processing is available for an additional fee to speed up this step.
- 6
Priority date wait
0 months to several yearsWait for your priority date (date of PERM filing) to become current under the US Visa Bulletin. This timeline varies dramatically by country of birth — nationals of India and China face extended waits.
- 7
Fee payment and visa application
1–3 monthsOnce your priority date is current, pay the required USCIS and National Visa Center fees and file the immigrant visa application with the US consulate in your home country.
- 8
Consular interview
1 day (appointment)Attend an in-person interview at the US consulate in your country of residence. Bring all supporting documents, medical exam results, and police clearances. Most interviews result in visa issuance within 2 weeks.
- 9
Arrival and Green Card delivery
2–4 weeks after arrivalArrive in the United States, present your immigrant visa at the port of entry, and apply for your Social Security Number. The Green Card is ordered upon U.S. arrival and is mailed within a few weeks; in the interim, the visa stamp endorsed at entry serves as proof of permanent resident status. You can immediately begin working for your sponsoring employer.
Why Mercan for EB-3
Mercan Group has processed over 21,500 EB-3 cases — one of the largest volumes of any immigration consultancy globally. Our network of US employer partners with pre-approved PERM labor certifications means candidates skip months of waiting for employer matching. Our refusal rate is near zero, and in the rare case of a refusal, Mercan refunds its professional fees (government fees are non-refundable).
Frequently asked questions
What is the EB-3 visa category?
The EB-3 is an employment-based immigrant visa category that provides permanent residency (Green Card) to qualified workers sponsored by a US employer. It includes three sub-categories: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other (Unskilled) Workers. Approximately 40,040 EB-3 visas are allocated annually by the US government.
Do I need a job offer?
Yes. The EB-3 program requires a valid permanent, full-time job offer from a US employer who sponsors your application through the PERM labor certification process and subsequent Form I-140 petition. Mercan connects qualified candidates with US employers who have approved PERM certifications.
What is the difference between EB-3 Skilled and Unskilled?
EB-3 Skilled Workers require at least 2 years of training or experience. EB-3 Other Workers (commonly called Unskilled) require less than 2 years of experience but positions must be permanent and full-time. EB-3 Professionals require a US bachelor's degree or equivalent. Mercan typically places clients in the Unskilled or Skilled category depending on their background.
How long does the process take?
Processing times vary significantly by country of birth due to per-country visa quotas. For nationals of most countries, the full process typically takes around two to three years from PERM filing to Green Card delivery, though timelines depend on USCIS and DOL workload. Nationals of India and China face extended waits that can extend several years due to high demand against limited annual quotas. Mercan provides current case-by-case timeline estimates during your consultation.
Can my family come with me?
Yes. Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can be included as derivative beneficiaries. They receive Green Cards alongside you and have the same rights to live, work, study, and eventually naturalize as US citizens.
Will I be refunded if my application is refused?
Mercan's refusal rate is near zero based on years of EB-3 case processing. In the rare event of a refusal, Mercan offers a refund of professional fees. Government filing fees and consular fees are non-refundable regardless of outcome.
Can I leave my job after receiving my Green Card?
It is not advisable to leave your sponsoring employer immediately after receiving your Green Card. The US Department of Labor can file complaints against Green Card holders who abandon sponsored positions shortly after approval, which may result in Green Card termination. A minimum 1-year commitment to the sponsoring employer is strongly recommended.
What salary can I expect?
US employers submit a Prevailing Wage Determination as part of the PERM process, ensuring the salary meets or exceeds the minimum prevailing wage for the role and location. Actual wages vary by job title, industry, and geographic region. EB-3 positions must meet US minimum wage and fair labor standards.
What does Mercan Group do?
Mercan Group connects qualified candidates with US employers who have pre-approved PERM labor certifications. We manage the entire process from initial eligibility assessment through employer matching, PERM filing support, Form I-140 petition, consular processing, and Green Card delivery. With 21,500+ EB-3 cases processed, Mercan is one of the most experienced EB-3 facilitators in the world.
Am I eligible for US citizenship after the Green Card?
Yes. After 5 years as a Green Card holder you become eligible to apply for US citizenship (naturalization). Requirements include basic English literacy, civics knowledge, continuous US residency of at least 5 years with 30+ months of physical presence, good moral character, and commitment to the US Constitution.
Government sources and regulators
- USCIS — Employment-Based Immigration (Third Preference EB-3)Official USCIS page for the EB-3 category with eligibility requirements, forms, and processing information.
- US Department of Labor — PERM Labor CertificationOfficial DOL page for the Permanent Labor Certification (PERM) program that all EB-3 petitions must go through.
- US Department of State — Visa BulletinMonthly Visa Bulletin showing current priority date cutoffs for every immigrant visa category, including EB-3, by country of birth.
Important considerationsSpeculative investment. Read before subscribing.
Per-country visa quotas under the US Immigration and Nationality Act create extended delays for nationals of China and India; US employers may decline sponsorship of applicants from these countries due to the long processing timelines. Green Card status can be rescinded if the beneficiary abandons the sponsoring job within an unreasonably short timeframe. US government fees are non-refundable regardless of application outcome and include: USCIS Form I-140 USD 715, USCIS premium processing USD 2,805, asylum program fee USD 600, NVC processing USD 345 per applicant, USCIS immigrant fee USD 235 per applicant, and Form I-485 adjustment of status USD 1,440 (applicants 14+) or USD 950 (under 14) where applicable. Processing timelines vary significantly by country of birth and current USCIS/DOL workload. This page is informational only and does not constitute legal advice — consult a licensed US immigration attorney for advice regarding your specific situation.