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The EB-3 green card application is a third-preference employment-based immigrant visa designed for skilled workers, professionals, or other employees. Here is an overview of the EB-3 green card application:
Categories:
- Skilled Workers: Require at least two years of relevant job training or experience.
- Professionals: Need a U.S. bachelor’s degree or its foreign equivalent.
- Other Workers: Can qualify with less than two years of work experience, excluding temporary or seasonal jobs.
Employer Sponsorship:
- Employers must provide sponsorship for a permanent, full-time position.
- Employers file Form I-140, Petition for Alien Worker, on behalf of the applicant.
- Employers must demonstrate the ability to pay the offered wage and prove that no qualified American workers are available for the position.
Labor Certification Process:
- The PERM Labor Certification process is required for each EB-3 visa petition.
- Employers must conduct recruitment processes and obtain a Prevailing Wage Determination from the U.S. Department of Labor.
Family Sponsorship:
- Spouses and minor children of EB-3 visa holders can also apply for derivative visas (E34 or EW4 for spouses, E35 or EW5 for children).
- Spouses can apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) while the permanent residency process is ongoing.
The EB-3 green card application process involves employer sponsorship, meeting specific eligibility criteria based on skill level or education, and going through the Labor Certification process to demonstrate the unavailability of qualified American workers.
Eligibility Requirements for EB-3 Green Card Applications:
The EB-3 green card application is designed for skilled workers, professionals, and other employees. Here are the key eligibility requirements based on the search results:
Skilled Workers:
– Must have at least two years of job training or work experience.
– Jobs must not be temporary or seasonal.
Professionals:
– Require a U.S. bachelor’s degree or its foreign equivalent related to the job position.
– The degree must be officially documented from a college or university.
Other Workers:
– Often referred to as “unskilled workers.”
– Can qualify with less than two years of work experience.
Employer Sponsorship:
– Applicants need a permanent, full-time job offer from a U.S. employer.
– Employers must demonstrate that qualified American workers are not available for the position.
Application Process:
– Involves the PERM Labor Certification process with the U.S. Department of Labor.
– Requires filing Form I-140, Petition for Alien Worker, by the employer.
– Applicants can apply for adjustment of status or an immigrant visa at a U.S. consulate abroad after I-140 approval.
The eligibility requirements for EB-3 green card applications include having relevant work experience, specific educational qualifications for professionals, and employer sponsorship for a permanent job position.
What is the cost of applying for an EB-3 green card
The cost of applying for an EB-3 green card varies based on different factors and includes various fees and expenses as outlined in the search results:
Mandatory USCIS Filing Fees:
– Form I-140 filing fee: $700.
– Form I-485 filing fee: Varies based on age and refugee status:
– $1,225 for applicants between 14 and 78, including mandatory biometrics fee.
– $750 for applicants below 14 filing with a parent.
Attorney Fees:
– Labor Certification: $3,000.
– Permanent Residency Petition: $3,000.
– Adjustment of Status (if in the U.S.): $2,500 for the principal beneficiary and $1,500 for each family member.
Optional Premium Processing:
– USCIS premium processing fee: $2,500.
Other Costs:
– Consular Processing (if outside the U.S.): Varies based on individual circumstances.
– Additional fees for family members accompanying the primary beneficiary.
The total cost of applying for an EB-3 green card includes USCIS filing fees, attorney fees for various stages of the process, optional premium processing fees, and additional costs depending on individual circumstances.
Difference Between EB-3 and EB-1 Green Card Applications
The EB-3 and EB-1 green card applications differ significantly based on the information provided in the search results:
1. Eligibility Criteria:
- EB-1: Reserved for individuals with extraordinary abilities, outstanding professors and researchers, and multinational managers. It requires top-level achievements and exceptional abilities.
- EB-3: Designed for skilled workers, professionals, and other workers with varying levels of training or experience. The requirements are less stringent compared to EB-1.
2. Processing Times:
- EB-1: Typically has faster processing times due to its stringent requirements and fewer applicants.
- EB-3: Can have longer processing times due to substantial backlogs and the broader range of applicants it caters to.
3. Labor Certification Requirement:
- EB-1: Does not require labor certification, streamlining the application process.
- EB-3: Involves labor certification, which can lead to longer processing times as it verifies the unavailability of qualified American workers for the job.
4. Educational Background:
- EB-1: Requires exceptional abilities or top-level achievements without specific educational criteria.
- EB-3: Requires varying levels of education or experience depending on the subcategory (skilled workers, professionals, or other workers).
5. Priority Dates:
Priority dates vary between EB-1 and EB-3 based on the applicant’s country of birth and demand for visas from that country.
6. Job Categories:
- EB-1: Focuses on distinguished experts, outstanding professors, researchers, and multinational managers.
- EB-3: Includes subcategories for skilled workers, professionals, and other workers based on job requirements.
7. Sponsorship Requirement:
Both EB-1 and EB-3 applications require employer sponsorship for a permanent, full-time position.
8. Porting Possibility:
Applicants can potentially port their petition from EB-3 to EB-1 if they meet the stringent requirements of the higher preference category.
The differences between EB-1 and EB-3 green card applications lie in eligibility criteria, processing times, labor certification requirements, educational backgrounds, priority dates, job categories, sponsorship requirements, and the possibility of porting between categories.
Difference Between EB-3 and EB-2 Green Card Applications
The EB-3 and EB-2 green card applications have distinct differences based on the information provided in the search results:
1. Eligibility Criteria:
- EB-2: Requires candidates to have an advanced degree or exceptional ability in their field. Candidates with a bachelor’s degree and significant work experience may also qualify.
- EB-3: Involves job positions for skilled workers, professionals, or other workers. Candidates need a bachelor’s degree and relevant work experience, but an advanced degree is not mandatory.
2. Processing Times:
- EB-2: Generally has shorter processing times compared to EB-3 due to its more stringent requirements and potentially fewer applicants.
- EB-3: Can have longer processing times as it caters to a broader range of applicants with less strict eligibility criteria.
3. Labor Certification Requirement:
- EB-2: Involves the PERM labor certification process, which tests the U.S. labor market for qualified workers, potentially extending processing times.
- EB-3: Also requires a labor certification but may have less stringent requirements compared to EB-2.
4. Educational Background:
- EB-2: Typically requires candidates to have an advanced degree like a master’s or doctorate, although exceptional ability can also qualify.
- EB-3: Requires candidates to have a bachelor’s degree along with relevant work experience, making it more accessible to a broader pool of applicants.
5. Priority Dates:
Priority dates for both categories vary based on the applicant’s country of birth and the demand for visas from that country.
6. Job Categories:
- EB-3: Includes subcategories for skilled workers, professionals, and other workers based on the nature of the job and required qualifications.
- EB-2: Focuses on professionals with exceptional ability or advanced degrees, offering a more specialized pathway.
7. Porting Possibility:
Applicants can potentially port their petition from EB-3 to EB-2 if they meet the requirements for the higher preference category, which can impact processing times and eligibility.
The differences between EB-2 and EB-3 green card applications lie in eligibility criteria, processing times, labor certification requirements, educational backgrounds, priority dates, job categories, and the possibility of porting between categories.