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US employer-sponsored immigration
US EB-3 Unskilled Worker
No degree needed, for jobs requiring less than two years’ training or experience — a US employer offers a permanent full-time job and sponsors your green card.
Reviewed by Oscar Yip · Updated October 2026
Programme overview
The EB-3 unskilled worker category (“Other Workers”) covers jobs needing less than two years of training or experience, commonly in hospitality, food service, care and manufacturing. No degree is needed, but a US employer must offer a permanent full-time job and first complete labour certification (PERM).
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InvestmentNo investment required
Education / experienceNo degree; under two years’ training or experience
EmployerRequired, with labour certification
FamilySpouse and unmarried children under 21
Summary
EB-3 unskilled worker immigration covers jobs requiring less than two years’ training or experience, with no degree needed, suiting families who want to move to the US through work. A US employer offers a permanent full-time role and completes labour certification, then files the I-140; you apply for a green card when your priority date is current. This category has fewer visas each year, so backlogs are generally longer.
Key benefits of EB-3 Unskilled Worker
- No degree neededFor jobs needing less than two years' training or experience — no degree required.
- A green card through work — no investmentBased on a permanent full-time US job offer; no investment or business background needed.
- Apply directly from overseasNo US work visa needed first: once the I-140 is approved and your date is current, you interview at a US consulate.
- I-140 premium processing: 15 business daysWith premium processing, USCIS must approve, deny or request evidence within 15 business days.
- Keep your priority dateAn approved I-140 generally keeps its priority date; after 180 days it is not revoked automatically if the employer withdraws.
- Change jobs while you waitOnce the I-485 has been pending 180 days, you can move to a same or similar job without a new PERM or I-140.
- File I-485 at the same time in the USIf you are in the US and a visa is available, file I-140 and I-485 together and apply for work and travel permits.
- Spouse and children get green cards tooYour spouse and unmarried children under 21 come with you as derivatives and become permanent residents.
- 10-year green card; citizenship after five yearsNo conditional stage; apply for citizenship after five years, and green-card-holding children under 18 living with you in the US become citizens automatically.
Browse current EB-3 job openings
View openings at usa-eb3.comOur dedicated portal, usa-eb3.com, lists sponsoring employers hiring now, with wages, locations and duties, plus this month's Visa Bulletin dates by country of birth. You can apply for a specific position online. The portal is available in Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, English and Vietnamese.
Why Global Immigrate for EB-3 Unskilled Worker
- families approved
- 50+
- approval rate
- 100%
- offering this programme since
- 2020
GI Group recruitment network
GI Group has its own recruitment team to help match you with suitable employers and roles — not just the visa paperwork.
End-to-end labour certification and visa support
One team coordinates the timeline from labour certification and the I-140 through to the green card.
Clear, transparent fees
All service fees and third-party costs are set out in writing before you sign — no hidden charges — and our refund terms are explained clearly.
Requirements
Applicants generally need to meet the following:
- A permanent full-time job offer from a US employer
- The employer completes labour certification (PERM)
- You are able to perform the job
- Admissibility: no serious criminal record and a satisfactory medical examination
Our three guarantees
Full service-fee refund if refused
Guaranteed in your service agreement: if your application is refused, we refund the service fees you have paid in full — or you can switch to another suitable programme at no extra charge.
No extra charge for further documents or resubmission
If the authorities request further documents, or an application must be resubmitted, we handle it at no additional service fee.
Handled by professionals, fee fixed at signing
Every application is prepared and reviewed by our professional immigration team. Your service fee is fixed when you sign, with no additional charges afterwards.
Service fees exclude investment amounts, government fees and third-party costs. Refusals caused by false or incomplete information, or by the applicant not cooperating as required, are not eligible for a refund. Full terms are set out in the service agreement.
Free EB-3 Unskilled Worker brochure
Covers the requirements, process and timeline, a fee overview and FAQs. Leave your details and we’ll send it to you.
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If you can’t see it, please check your spam folder. A consultant may also contact you to answer any questions about the programme.
Application process
- Assessment and employer matchVariesWe confirm the employer, role and work location.
- Labour certification (PERM)Per Department of Labor timelinesPrevailing wage determination, recruitment and filing of the labour certification.
- File I-140Premium processing about 15 working daysOnce the labour certification is approved, the employer files the I-140; premium processing is available.
- Green card stageDepends on visa backlogFile I-485 or attend a consular interview when your priority date is current.
Pathway to PR and citizenship
- Green card (permanent residence)Labour certification and I-140 first; a longer wait, usually 5–6 years or more (longer for those born in mainland China)
You, your spouse and unmarried children under 21 receive ten-year green cards directly, with no conditional stage.
Keeping permanent statusThe US must be your permanent home; a trip of over 6 months may be questioned, and over 1 year is generally treated as abandoning the green card unless you hold a re-entry permit (up to 2 years)
- US citizenshipAfter 5 years as a green card holder
Apply to become a US citizen and get a US passport; you must pass the English and civics tests. The naturalisation oath includes renouncing allegiance to your former country; whether you keep your current nationality depends on that country’s own law (for example, the PRC does not recognise dual nationality).
Residence for citizenshipAt least 30 months physically in the US within the 5 years, with continuous residence; a single trip of over 6 months can break continuity, and you must live in your state for 3 months before applying
General information only; requirements follow each country’s latest rules and can vary with your circumstances.
EB-3 Unskilled Worker client stories
Client storyVerifying the employer, then moving to the US through EB-3 unskilled
Ms Law’s EB-3 Unskilled Worker experience. She wanted the family to move to the US and her child to grow up there.
Read the full storyClient storyNo degree, and an EB-3 unskilled route for the children’s futureMr Tse’s EB-3 Unskilled Worker experience. He wanted his children to study in the US.
Read the full storyClient storyA longer backlog than expected, explained honestly throughoutMr Kwok’s EB-3 Unskilled Worker experience. He wanted to move to the US through employer sponsorship.
Read the full storyCompared with other options: United States
See the United States overview| Programme | Investment | Status | Typical timeline | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US EB-5 Investor Immigration | USD 800,000 (TEA) / USD 1,050,000 | Green card | I-526E: rural projects prioritised by law, timing depends on USCIS; others about 24–36 months | Families with funds who want to immigrate without education or employment requirements |
| US EB-1A Extraordinary Ability | No investment; no employer needed | Green card | I-140 premium processing (15 working days); green card depends on backlog | People with international or national acclaim in their field |
| US EB-2 NIW National Interest Waiver | No investment; no employer needed | Green card | I-140 premium processing (45 working days); green card depends on backlog | Researchers, doctors and professionals with a master’s degree |
| US EB-2 Advanced Degree / Exceptional Ability | No investment; US employer sponsorship | Green card | Labour certification, then the visa backlog | Highly qualified people already hired by a US employer |
| US EB-3 Skilled Worker | No investment; US employer sponsorship | Green card | Labour certification, then the visa backlog | Professionals with a bachelor’s degree or two years’ relevant experience |
| US EB-3 Unskilled WorkerThis programme | No investment; US employer sponsorship | Green card | Labour certification; backlog generally longer | People without formal qualifications willing to take a specified job |
EB-3 Unskilled Worker FAQ
Why is the backlog longer?
The unskilled category has fewer visas each year and more applicants, so waits are generally longer than for skilled categories; see the monthly Visa Bulletin.
Must I work for the employer after receiving the green card?
You must genuinely intend to take the job when you apply, and take it up after receiving your green card.
Can my children receive green cards too?
Yes. Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can receive green cards as derivative applicants. In some cases the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) protects children who are close to 21.
Sources
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