What are the differences between the three EB-3 subcategories?

Professionals: positions requiring a minimum of a bachelor's degree, such as accountants, engineers, and teachers. Skilled Workers: positions requiring at least 2 years of work experience or training, such as chefs, electricians, and technicians. Other Workers: positions requiring less than 2 years of experience, such as cleaners and food processing workers. All three subcategories share the EB-3 priority date queue, but Other Workers has an additional annual cap of 10,000 visa numbers, resulting in the longest wait times.

Can EB-3 and EB-2 be filed simultaneously?

Yes, and this is a very common strategy. If the position requirements permit, the employer can pursue both EB-2 and EB-3 for the same employee, or file EB-2 first and later downgrade to EB-3. The two categories may share the same PERM (if position requirements differ, separate PERMs are needed), each with independent I-140s and priority dates. Applicants can maintain both EB-2 and EB-3 I-140s and file I-485 under whichever category's priority date becomes current first.

How much slower is EB-3 than EB-2?

The gap varies by year and country of birth. For mainland China-born applicants, EB-3 is typically 1-3 years slower than EB-2. However, periodic "reversals" occur where EB-3 dates advance beyond EB-2. For example, EB-3 may surge forward in certain periods while EB-2 stagnates. This is why many applicants maintain both EB-2 and EB-3 I-140s to respond flexibly to backlog fluctuations.

Can EB-2 be downgraded to EB-3?

"EB-2 Downgrade to EB-3" is a commonly used strategy: if the EB-2 backlog exceeds EB-3, the employer can file a new EB-3 I-140 using the already-certified EB-2 PERM while retaining the original priority date. No new PERM is required. However, the minimum position requirements must align with the EB-3 category (i.e., the position may require only a bachelor's degree rather than a master's). This allows the applicant to wait in both EB-2 and EB-3 queues simultaneously, maximizing flexibility.

Are there special limitations for EB-3 Other Workers?

The Other Workers subcategory has an annual cap of 10,000 visa numbers and shares the overall EB-3 priority date queue. As a result, Other Workers typically face the longest wait times. It covers positions in food service, cleaning, food processing, and other roles not requiring advanced education or extensive experience. Despite the lowest eligibility threshold, the PERM process and I-140 application requirements are identical to the other EB-3 subcategories.

What are EB-3 filing fees?

The fee structure is essentially the same as EB-2. PERM stage: recruitment advertising $3,000-$8,000 (paid by employer) + attorney fees $3,000-$6,000. I-140 stage: $715 + optional Premium Processing $2,965. I-485 stage: $1,440 per person. Total attorney fees typically range from $5,000-$12,000. PERM-related costs must be borne by the employer. For the Other Workers subcategory, the risk of PERM audit may be slightly higher due to the lower position requirements.

Can I change jobs after EB-3 approval?

Yes. The rules are the same as EB-2. Once the I-140 is approved and remains valid for 180 days without revocation, the priority date is locked in and preserved through a job change. After I-485 has been pending for 180+ days, AC21 permits porting to a "same or similar" position. The new employer typically needs to complete a new PERM but can use the original priority date. Consulting an attorney before changing jobs is essential, particularly if the I-485 has been pending for fewer than 180 days.

The Peng Law

EB-3技术人才/专业人士

EB-3 Skilled Workers & Professionals

EB-3是美国职业移民第三优先类别，分为三个子类别：专业人士（Professionals，要求学士学位）、技术工人（Skilled…

6–8 monthsPWD申请

2–3 months招聘流程

6–12 monthsPERM审批

12–18 monthsI-485审批

Overview

概述

EB-3是美国职业移民第三优先类别，分为三个子类别：专业人士（Professionals，要求学士学位）、技术工人（Skilled Workers，要求2年以上工作经验或培训）和非技术工人（Other Workers，不需要2年以上经验）。EB-3是门槛最低的雇主担保绿卡类别，适用范围广泛。所有EB-3子类别都需要PERM劳工证。非技术工人类别有年度10,000个签证名额的额外限制。

Eligibility

三个子类别

专业人士（Professionals）：职位要求美国学士学位或同等外国学历，且申请人持有相应学位

技术工人（Skilled Workers）：职位要求至少2年工作经验或培训，非临时性或季节性工作

非技术工人（Other Workers）：职位要求不到2年经验/培训，非临时性或季节性工作

所有子类别均需雇主担保并完成PERM劳工证流程

雇主须支付不低于现行工资标准（Prevailing Wage）

Application Process

申请流程

现行工资确定（PWD）

雇主向DOL申请职位的现行工资标准。当前审批约6-8个月。

招聘流程

雇主按DOL规定进行招聘：SWA登记30天、两次周日报纸广告、3种额外招聘渠道。EB-3 Professional还需额外专业渠道。

PERM申请

向DOL提交ETA 9089表格。审批约6-12个月。可能被选中审计。

I-140申请

PERM获批后180天内，雇主向USCIS递交I-140（EB-3分类）。可选择加急处理。

等待排期

EB-3排期通常比EB-2慢。中国大陆出生申请人可能需等待3-5年以上。

I-485身份调整

排期当前后递交I-485。可同时获得EAD工卡和AP回美证。

Timeline Reference

时间线参考

阶段	预计时间
PWD申请	6-8个月
招聘流程	2-3个月
PERM审批	6-12个月
I-140审批	6-12个月（加急45个日历天）
EB-3排期等待	因国家而异（中国约3-5年）
I-485审批	12-18个月

Frequently Asked Questions

常见问题

专业人士（Professionals）：职位最低要求学士学位，如会计师、工程师、教师等；技术工人（Skilled Workers）：职位要求至少2年工作经验或培训，如厨师、电工、技师等；非技术工人（Other Workers）：不到2年经验要求的岗位，如清洁工、食品加工工人等。三个子类别共用EB-3排期，但Other Workers有额外的年度10,000名额限制，排期通常最慢。