If you are familiar with the employment-based immigrant visa category in the United States, you will know that meeting the eb3 visa requirements is one sure way of obtaining a Green Card as a foreign national.
Over time, the United States has had an alluring appeal for foreign nationals because of the supposed ‘American dream’. Foreigners believe that they can get better job opportunities, higher standards of living, educational access and general success.
With the radical changes on immigration policies since the inauguration of President Trump, many immigrants have gotten discouraged in their pursuit of relocating to the United States.
Clearly, it is still possible to legally relocate to the United States and this article will educate you on things you need to consider to immigrate to the USA as a skilled worker in 2025
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Understanding the US Immigration System for Skilled Workers
Skilled workers who wish to immigrate to the US have visa options that can allow them to do that.
The options are the H-1B visa for specific occupations, the EB-2 visa for professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability, and the EB-3 visa for skilled workers, professionals and other workers.
For the sake of this article, we will be focusing on the EB3 visa.
What are the requirements for the EB3 visa in 2025?
The following qualifies an applicant for an EB-3 visa:
• Job offer from a US employer
• Must be a full-time permanent job
• Applicant must meet the specific skill level requirements for the chosen EB3 subcategory.
• Employers must get a labour certification showing no US worker is available for the position.
• The applicant must ensure that the employer has filed an Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker (Form I-140) with the USCIS on his/her behalf.
How to meet the eligibility criteria for an EB3 visa application
Before you begin your application, you need to know if you meet the eligibility criteria for an EB3 visa. The criteria are as follows:
• Applicants need to pass a medical examination
• They also need to undergo criminal background checks.
• For a skilled worker (EB-3A), you need to have at least 2 years of training or experience.
• For professionals (EB-3B), you need to have a bachelor’s degree or something equivalent.
• Other workers a.k.a. Unskilled labour (EB-3C) requires less than 2 years of training.
• The employer offering you a job must have a labour certification from the U.S. Department of Labour.
Who qualifies for the EB3 visa in 2025?
Anyone who falls into the 3 categories – skilled worker, professionals and unskilled labour – for the EB3 visa qualifies.
Key documents needed for the EB3 visa application process
The eb3 visa requirements demand that the applicant(s) have these documents:
• A valid passport
• The employment letter showing an offer from a US employer
• Approved labour certification from the US Department of Labour
• Form I-140 (Immigrant petition for alien worker)
• Form I-907
• Birth Certificate
• Payment receipts
• Two passport-sized photos
• Academic qualification documents
• A medical examination report by a US-approved physician.
• Additional supporting documents (if required) by the National Visa Center.
Notably, the EB3 visa, also known as the Worker’s Green Card or a Permanent Resident Card, is a document issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that allows the visa holder to live and work in the US indefinitely.
While holding this visa, the holder enjoys most but not all benefits as a citizen and after a specified period, he/she can then apply for a U.S. citizenship.
The people who are qualified to get a green card include family members of U.S. citizens or permanent residents, workers in the U.S. on employment visas and even those who already had a green card and are issued a new one.
Adjustment of status occurs when an individual who is already in the U.S. is applying for a green card while still in the country.
On the flip side, consular processing requires the applicant to apply for an immigrant visa from a U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country. If they successfully enter the U.S., they can now apply and get their green card.
Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for the EB3 Visa in 2025
This section will educate you on how to properly apply for an EB3 visa in 2025.
Job search and offer: You need to know the right places to find employers who are hiring and are willing to sponsor. You can find them in job fairs, job platforms, through networking and recruiters.
When you find them, you need to properly apply and ace the interview then you wait for an offer. If there is no outright rejection and the offer is taking time, then send them a follow-up mail.
While you search for a job, it is vital that you do proper research to understand how the US job market works. The research helps potential applicants to find roles that match their skills and career goals.
Proper research helps you to stand out and gives you a competitive edge.
Education and Credentials: When submitting your academic qualifications and other credentials, you need to ensure that it meets US standards.
Some employers will require that your credentials pass through certain evaluations. For instance, the applicant’s transcripts passing through WES evaluation.
Also, the applicant may have to prove that they proficient in English Language especially if they are from a non-English speaking country. To prove that, they can take exams such as TOEFL and IELTS.
Financial Considerations: Applicants must be prepared for the financial burden that this visa process will require. They need to have enough finances to fund their immigration journey.
This will include application fees, legal fees (for those who will use the services of immigration lawyers) and living expenses in the USA (Here, they have to submit proof of funds to show that they can take care of themselves while residing in the US).
Legal and Professional Guidance: Going through the immigration journey alone can be tricky especially if it is your first time. To avoid making mistakes that can lead to rejection, it is advisable that you consult with an experienced immigration attorney.
Their expertise will help to streamline the process for you and ensure that you do not enter pitfalls that will cost you.
Common Challenges in the EB3 Visa Application Process and How to Avoid Them
Applicants need to be prepared for certain challenges that may arise during the visa application process.
The first possible challenge is a visa denial, and this could happen for a number of reasons – incomplete application, insufficient funds, criminal record, travel history, purpose of travel, passport issues, travel insurance, ties to home country, health issues, poor visa interview and violating visa rules.
If you have been denied a visa, it is possible to appeal and see if the consulate will change their mind. After you have reviewed the refusal letter, you should prepare a detailed appeal letter explaining why you believe the decision should be reconsidered.
You can also add more supporting documents that will address the concerns raised in the refusal.
With how strict immigration policies have become, it is important to stay informed about immigration laws and regulations as breaking them can cause one to not only be denied but also be banned from the US.
The deportation exercise carried out by President Trump has shown the consequence of unauthorized stay in the US, hence that is not even an option for applicants anymore.
Another possible challenge that applicants can face is bringing their family members alongside them to the USA. Some families have been known to live apart from each other because one of them travelled to the US for greener pastures.
When the applicant finally succeeds, he/she will experience culture shock and homesickness, and may likely be discriminated against by citizens who are unwelcoming of immigrants.
There is no one way to avoid all these challenges, but there are some precautions one can take to avoid some of them. One of them is working with an immigration expert such as an attorney or a consultant.
