The EB-3 Unskilled Worker program is one of the simplest pathways to U.S. permanent residency. Individuals with jobs requiring less than two years of training or experience can qualify. Unlike many other immigration options, it doesn’t require advanced degrees, extraordinary abilities or substantial financial investment. However, it is an employer-sponsored process, which means you must have a US employer sponsoring your immigration petition.
Navigating the EB-3 Unskilled Worker Green Card: A Step-by-Step Guide
This guide walks through the application process from start to finish, highlighting critical milestones and common pitfalls.
Step 1: The Job Offer and PERM Labor Certification
The entire process begins with a U.S. employer. The employer must offer a full-time, permanent job and be willing to sponsor the foreign national. Typical positions fall into sectors like manufacturing, production, cleaning services, food processing, and so on.
Once an employer decides to sponsor you under the EB-3 program, they must complete the PERM Labor Certification, approved by the Department of Labor (DOL). The employer must prove there are no qualified, willing, and available U.S. workers for the position by:
- Obtaining a Prevailing Wage Determination (PWD): The PWD will indicate the minimum wage that must be paid in the area where the job will be performed.
- Conducting Recruitment Efforts: The employer must advertise the job according to strict guidelines, which often includes placing ads in newspapers and state workforce agency job banks and review all applications received and document why any U.S. applicants were not qualified for the job.
If there are no suitable U.S. workers, the employer then can file Form ETA 9089 with the DOL. The date this form is filed establishes the applicant’s priority date, which determines their place in the visa queue.
Step 2: Form I-140 Petition
After the PERM certification is approved, the employer files Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This petition verifies the employer’s financial ability to pay the prevailing wage and confirms the applicant’s qualifications for the job.
Step 3: DS-260 and The Waiting Game
Once the I-140 is approved, applicants outside the U.S. proceed with consular processing. The National Visa Center (NVC) will contact the applicant to complete Form DS-260 (Immigrant Visa Electronic Application). This form collects detailed biographical history and security background information. Applicants must also gather civil documents, such as birth certificates and police clearances.
After submitting the Form DS-260, the applicant needs to wait for their immigrant visa to become available. Due to high demand and annual visa limits, applicants are expected to wait for 1-2 years at this stage. Applicants are encouraged to regularly monitor the monthly Visa Bulletin until their priority date becomes “current.”
Step 4: Final Green Card Application
When the priority date is current, applicants take the final step. The path depends on their location:
- Consular Processing: The final step is attending an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate, where a consular officer makes the final decision on visa approval. Upon entering the U.S. with the immigrant visa, the applicant receives their physical green card.
- Consular Processing: The final step is attending an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate, where a consular officer makes the final decision on visa approval. Upon entering the U.S. with the immigrant visa, the applicant receives their physical green card.
Common Mistakes and Key Tips
Mistake: Underestimating Timelines.
The biggest error is expecting quick results. The backlog for unskilled workers is long; prepare for a multi-year journey. For example, we’ve had clients who believed they would be able to move to the U.S. within a year. They were excited, packed their plans too early, and became frustrated when they realized that the Labor Certification, petition approval, and visa availability all take time. In reality, most unskilled worker applicants need to prepare for a multi-year journey before they can relocate and begin working in the U.S. Understanding this timeline from the beginning helps set realistic expectations. Instead of viewing it as a delay, think of it as an opportunity: time to save money, learn basic English, prepare your family, and build the skills that will help you succeed once you arrive.
Tip: Vet Your Employer’s Stability.
Because the EB-3 process can take years, one of the most important factors to consider is the stability of your sponsoring employer. If the company sponsoring you were to close, significantly downsize, or withdraw support before your green card is approved, your case could collapse — forcing you to start over. This is why choosing the right employer from the beginning is critical. Many applicants underestimate this step, assuming that once an offer is made, the path is secure. But the reality is that a weak or unstable employer can create unnecessary risks and stress during an already long process.
At Global Bridge Immigration, we only cooperate with reliable U.S. companies that have a proven track record of financial stability and commitment to international hiring. These employers understand the EB-3 program, are prepared for the long timeline, and remain consistent partners throughout the process. By working with trusted employers, you minimize the uncertainty and can focus on preparing yourself and your family for your move. This makes the journey less stressful and gives you greater confidence that your case will reach approval.
Tip: Ensure Document Consistency
One of the most common and avoidable mistakes in the EB-3 process is failing to keep documents consistent. The information on your passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate, and application forms must match exactly. Even small discrepancies — like a middle name spelled differently, a missing hyphen, or a date format error — can cause the U.S. authorities to issue a Request for Evidence (RFE) or, in some cases, deny the application.
For example, we’ve seen clients whose documents listed slightly different versions of their name: on one form “María da Silva,” and on another “Maria Silva.” While this may seem like a harmless variation, USCIS treats these inconsistencies seriously. Correcting them took months, delaying the entire case. This is why it’s so important to review all documents carefully before submission. If corrections are needed, it’s far better to address them early in the process than to risk delays later on.
At Global Bridge Immigration, we help clients audit their documentation to ensure consistency and accuracy across every stage of the EB-3 journey, minimizing the chances of setbacks.
