United States of America · Processing time
EB-3 Skilled, Professional, and Other Workers: how long does it take?
By Sam Parks · Last checked:
PERM labor certification + I-140 stages typically 12–36 months combined; visa-bulletin backlogs for India add substantial further waits.
How long does the EB-3 Skilled, Professional, and Other Workers take to process in United States?
The typical published decision window is 12 months – 3.3 years from a complete application. PERM labor certification + I-140 stages typically 12–36 months combined; visa-bulletin backlogs for India add substantial further waits.
Verified against USCIS — Case Processing Times on 1 June 2026.
Typical wait
12 months – 3.3 years
from complete application
Government fees
I-140 USD 715; I-485 USD 1,440; PERM filed electronically with DOL (no USCIS fee).
Last checked
1 June 2026
Reality vs official timing
- Official clock
- Official window only
- Delay trigger
- After 3.3 years
- Source checked
- 1 June 2026
Use 12 months – 3.3 years as the published decision window; delays usually start after the upper end if the source has not issued a newer figure.
What is the EB-3 Skilled, Professional, and Other Workers?
Third-preference employment-based green card requiring employer sponsorship and PERM labor certification.
EB-3 covers three sub-categories: skilled workers (2+ years training/experience), professionals (US bachelor’s or equivalent), and other workers (unskilled). Virtually all EB-3 cases require PERM labor certification demonstrating no qualified US worker is available, followed by an I-140 petition.
- Sponsorship: You need a job offer or employer sponsor in United States of America.
- Settlement: This route can lead to permanent residence.
- Typical permit length: Permanent residence.
- Indicative government fees: I-140 USD 715; I-485 USD 1,440; PERM filed electronically with DOL (no USCIS fee).
How to read this estimate
The 12 months – 3.3 years window is the time USCIS — Case Processing Times typically associates with the EB-3 Skilled, Professional, and Other Workers — measured from a complete, correctly-lodged application through to a decision, not from when you start gathering documents.
- Collecting documents, getting qualifications recognised, and booking consular appointments all happen before the clock starts.
- If the authority requests more information, the clock pauses until you reply — so a fast, complete response keeps your place in the queue.
- Processing times shift with application volumes and policy changes. The USCIS — Case Processing Times page linked below is the only figure that is current on the day you apply.
Official source
USCIS — Case Processing Times
https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/
Cite or reuse this dataset
This figure is free to reuse under CC BY 4.0. Cite the Visa Atlas page for the compiled, dated dataset, and cite the official source for the underlying government rule.
Suggested citation
Visa Atlas, "EB-3 Skilled, Professional, and Other Workers processing time dataset", https://visaatlas.org/processing-times/us/eb-3. Last verified 1 June 2026.
- JSON endpoint
- https://visaatlas.org/api/public/processing-times
Primary source (1)
Frequently asked questions
How long does the EB-3 Skilled, Professional, and Other Workers take to process?+
The typical wait is 12 months – 3.3 years from submitting a complete application. PERM labor certification + I-140 stages typically 12–36 months combined; visa-bulletin backlogs for India add substantial further waits. These figures come from USCIS — Case Processing Times and were last verified on 2026-06-01. Always confirm on the primary source before you apply.
When does the 12 months – 3.3 years clock start?+
The clock starts when USCIS — Case Processing Times receives a complete, valid application — not when you begin collecting documents. Gathering evidence, getting qualifications recognised, and booking consular appointments all happen before the window starts.
Is there a way to speed up the decision?+
Some United States routes offer a priority or premium service for an additional fee. Check the linked primary source for current options — availability changes and varies by consular post.
What makes an application take longer than expected?+
The most common reasons for delays beyond the published window are: missing or incorrect documents, a request for more information (which pauses the clock until you reply), background or medical checks, and consular appointment backlogs in your country. Submitting a complete, well-organised application on day one is the single biggest thing you can do to stay inside the published window.
When should I treat my EB-3 Skilled, Professional, and Other Workers application as delayed?+
Wait until you have passed the upper end of the published window (12 months – 3.3 years) before treating it as delayed. At that point, a single polite status enquiry through the official channel is reasonable. Do not chase repeatedly, as this tends to slow a case rather than speed it up.
Next steps
Full visa guide
Eligibility, application steps, fees, and FAQs for the EB-3 Skilled, Professional, and Other Workers.
All United States processing times
Compare decision windows across every United States visa route.
Government fees breakdown
Full itemised fee schedule for the EB-3 Skilled, Professional, and Other Workers.
Reviewed by Sam Parks, Editor and lead researcher.