What Are the Steps in the EB-3 Process? A Detailed Guide From Filing to Green Card

The EB-3 program attracts many workers and families because it offers a chance to obtain a US green card through employment. However, EB-3 processing usually involves several different stages and can take years, which leaves many people confused when they first look into the program.

Global Immigration Group walks you through the EB-3 process from A to Z, helping you understand each stage, prepare a suitable financial plan and take more control of your family’s US immigration journey.

Overview of the EB-3 immigration process

EB-3 is a multi-stage process, from a US business hiring a foreign worker to the applicant and family receiving immigrant visas and entering the United States as permanent residents.

The EB-3 process usually goes through 7 main steps:

Step 1: Find a US business to sponsor your employment

The worker must receive a job offer from a US business willing to sponsor an EB-3 immigration case.

Step 2: Obtain PERM labor certification

The business carries out recruitment under US Department of Labor rules and files for PERM labor certification to show that it could not find a US worker who meets the requirements of the position.

Step 3: File Form I-140

After PERM is approved, the business files Form I-140 with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to sponsor the worker under EB-3.

Step 4: Wait for the priority date

The applicant follows the Visa Bulletin to see when the case’s priority date becomes current and the case can move to the next steps.

Step 5: Complete the file at the NVC and submit Form DS-260

When the priority date becomes current, the case is transferred to the National Visa Center (NVC). The applicant pays the visa fees, submits Form DS-260 and uploads the required civil documents.

Step 6: Medical examination and visa interview

The applicant and accompanying family members have medical examinations at a designated facility and attend the immigrant visa interview at the US Embassy or Consulate.

Step 7: Enter the United States and receive your green card

After being issued immigrant visas, the worker and family can enter the United States. Green cards are mailed to the registered US address after immigration procedures are complete.

Step 1: Find a US business to sponsor your employment

The first step in the EB-3 process is for the worker to receive a job offer from a US business that needs foreign workers and is willing to sponsor an EB-3 case.

Depending on the position, the worker may be considered under one of the three EB-3 groups: Skilled Workers, Professionals or Other Workers.

At this stage, the business and the worker usually discuss job requirements, hiring conditions, the proposed wage and matters related to immigration sponsorship.

Some points to consider when choosing a sponsoring business

• Research the legal information and operating history of the hiring business.
• Read the employment contract and related terms carefully before signing.
• Understand the responsibilities of the sponsoring business and the worker at each stage of the EB-3 process.
• Ask an immigration specialist if you have any questions about the case or hiring conditions.

Not every US job offer qualifies for an EB-3 immigration case. The sponsoring business must meet the program’s requirements and complete the full recruitment process under US Department of Labor rules.

Step 2: The business obtains PERM labor certification

After finding a suitable candidate, the sponsoring US business applies for PERM (Program Electronic Review Management) labor certification from the US Department of Labor (DOL). For most EB-3 cases, PERM labor certification is a prerequisite before the business can file Form I-140.

The purpose of PERM is to show that hiring a foreign worker will not negatively affect the job opportunities, wages and working conditions of US workers.

Before filing PERM, the business must complete certain required procedures, including:

• Determining the prevailing wage for the position through a Prevailing Wage Determination (PWD).
• Carrying out recruitment to look for US citizen or permanent resident candidates who meet the job requirements.
• Keeping recruitment records and documents showing that the process was completed under US Department of Labor rules.

After completing these steps, the business files ETA Form 9089 with the US Department of Labor to apply for PERM labor certification.

Foreign workers do not file PERM themselves. The sponsoring business handles the entire PERM process with the support of an immigration attorney or authorized representative.

Step 3: The business files Form I-140 with USCIS

After the US Department of Labor approves the PERM labor certification, the sponsoring business files Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker) with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Form I-140 asks USCIS to recognize that the foreign worker meets the requirements of the position and qualifies for sponsorship under the EB-3 immigrant category.

During I-140 review, the sponsoring business usually has to show the ability to pay the proposed wage to the worker from the priority date of the case. Documents that may be used to show financial ability include:

• Business tax returns
• Audited financial statements
• The company’s annual report
• Payroll records for the worker (if any)

After the I-140 is approved, the case moves to the stage of waiting for the priority date to become current so that immigrant visa procedures can begin.

An approved I-140 does not mean the applicant will be issued an immigrant visa immediately. The worker must still wait for the priority date to become current under the Visa Bulletin before continuing with the next steps of the EB-3 process.

Step 4: Wait for the priority date

After USCIS approves the I-140, the worker and family may need to wait for some time before continuing with immigrant visa procedures. This wait depends on EB-3 visa availability at the time.

The priority date is the date that sets the case’s place in the immigrant visa queue. For most EB-3 cases, the priority date is the day the US Department of Labor received the PERM labor certification application.

Each month, the US Department of State publishes the immigrant visa schedule in the Visa Bulletin. When the priority date of a case is earlier than or the same as the date published in the Visa Bulletin, the case is considered current and the applicant can continue completing immigrant visa procedures.

The EB-3 wait is not fixed and may change from month to month or year to year. Factors that can affect it include:

• The number of EB-3 cases filed in the same period.
• The immigrant visa quota allocated each year.
• The status of the Visa Bulletin at the time of review.
• The country against which the applicant’s visa quota is counted.

Step 5: Complete the file at the National Visa Center (NVC) and submit Form DS-260

When the priority date becomes current under the Visa Bulletin, the case is transferred to the National Visa Center (NVC) to continue immigrant visa processing.

At this stage, the applicant and accompanying family members must complete several important steps:

Pay the visa processing fees: The NVC sends instructions for paying fees related to the immigration case. The applicant must complete payment before moving on.

Submit Form DS-260: After the fees are recorded, the principal applicant and each accompanying family member complete Form DS-260 (Immigrant Visa Electronic Application) on the US Department of State’s electronic system.

Form DS-260 asks for personal information, residence history, education, work experience and other information relevant to the immigrant visa review.

Upload civil documents: The applicant uploads the civil documents required by the NVC. After the NVC reviews the file and confirms that it is complete, the applicant waits for an interview to be scheduled at the US Embassy or Consulate.

Note: Each accompanying family member in an EB-3 immigration case, including a spouse and eligible children, must complete a separate DS-260.

Step 6: Medical examination and visa interview

After the NVC completes its review and schedules the interview, the applicant and accompanying family members have immigration medical examinations and attend the immigrant visa interview at the US consular post.

Immigration medical examination

The applicant must be examined at a medical facility designated by the US Embassy or Consulate. The examination usually includes:

• A general physical examination
• A chest X-ray
• Blood tests as required
• A review of vaccination history and additional vaccines if needed

People attending the medical examination should bring:

• A valid passport
• The interview letter
• Photos as required
• Vaccination records (if any)

The immigrant visa interview

The visa interview allows the consular officer to verify the information in the case and assess eligibility for an immigrant visa.

Some common questions may include:

• What job will you do in the United States?
• Who is your sponsoring business?
• Have you ever been to the United States?
• Are any family members accompanying you?
• Which state do you plan to live in after arrival?

If the file is complete and no further verification is needed, the applicant may be told after the interview that the visa is approved.

Note: In some cases, the consular officer may request additional documents or carry out administrative processing before making a final decision on the visa.

Step 7: Enter the United States and receive your green card

After being issued immigrant visas, the applicant and accompanying family members must enter the United States before the expiration date shown on the visa. At entry, a US Customs and Border Protection officer checks the file and completes the admission of the new permanent resident.

Pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee

Before or after entry, the applicant must pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee if this has not already been done. This fee covers producing and mailing the Permanent Resident Card (Green Card).

Receive your green card

After entry and completion of the necessary requirements, the green card is usually mailed to the US address the applicant registered in the case.

The time it takes to receive a green card may vary by case and by USCIS processing times.

Receive your Social Security Number

Many applicants receive a Social Security Number (SSN) after arriving in the United States if they chose to have one issued when completing Form DS-260. If you have not received an SSN, you can contact the Social Security Administration in the United States for instructions on applying.

Important points for the EB-3 immigration program

The EB-3 program offers workers and families a chance to immigrate to the United States through employment. However, it is a long process that requires careful preparation at every stage.

To limit risk and help your case proceed more smoothly, keep the following in mind:

• Research the sponsoring business carefully: Check the legal information, operating history and genuine hiring needs of the US business.
• Read employment and service contracts carefully: Understand your rights, obligations and related costs before signing.
• Prepare a complete file from the start: Check that information is consistent across your passport, birth certificate, degrees and other civil documents.
• Follow the Visa Bulletin regularly: This helps you stay on top of your file and your family’s immigration plan.
• Work with an experienced advisory firm: Correct guidance on the process and proper preparation of your file can help minimize avoidable errors during processing.

The EB-3 process includes many stages, from recruitment, PERM labor certification and Form I-140 to completing the file at the NVC, the visa interview and receiving the green card. Understanding each step helps workers prepare their documents, finances and immigration plans for the whole family.

If you are exploring the EB-3 program or want to assess your own eligibility, contact Global Immigration Group for one-to-one advice and a US immigration pathway that suits you. Our team will support you throughout the preparation of your file and the EB-3 procedures.

Updated November 2, 2026. This content is for reference only and is not legal advice for any individual case.