Third Preference: Skilled Workers, Professionals and Other Workers (EB-3)

Every year, 40,000 visas are available under the third preference, which is open to: (a) professionals with bachelor’s degrees (not qualifying for a higher preference category); (b) skilled workers with at least 2 years training and experience; and (c) unskilled workers (for whom 10,000 visas are allotted yearly.) Labor certification is required.

The US employer must file the Form I-140 after obtaining a labor certification. Aliens sponsored under Schedule A occupations such as professional nurses and physical therapists are pre-certified and need not go through the process of obtaining a labor certification. Skilled workers are those who are capable of performing labor that requires at least 2 years of training or experience. Other workers include aliens who perform unskilled labor such as general houseworkers.