Third Preference (EB-3)
We Help Clients Secure EB-3 Visas in Texas
At Pollak PLLC, our Dallas EB3 visa lawyer is an experienced and effective representative for business executives, businesses, organizations, and individuals. Working with both petitioners and sponsors, we help clients secure EB-3 visas. Our firm has years of experience with immigration law and are confident in our abilities to help you navigate the legal processes of immigration. If you have any questions or concerns about applying for an EB-3 visa, we are more than ready to help. To schedule a strictly private case evaluation with a Texas immigration lawyer, please call our Dallas law office or send us a message directly through our website.
The EB-3 visa is an immigrant visa (preference category three) for U.S. employment-based permanent residency. This is reserved for individuals who are defined as “skilled workers,” “professionals,” or “other workers” (also known as unskilled workers). Although the qualifications for an EB-3 visa are less stringent than either an EB-1 or an EB-2 visa, the backlog and waiting times for it may be longer.
EB-3 Requirements
An Overview of EB-3 Visas
An EB-3 visa is considered a third-preference employment visa. It is intended to provide immigration options for foreign workers who do not quite meet the strict qualification standards to obtain an EB-1 or an EB-2 visa, but who might still make a valuable contribution to the United States workforce. There are three types of EB-3 visas:
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EB-3A: For professionals who have a bachelor's degree or the foreign equivalent.
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EB-3B: For skilled workers who can demonstrate at least two years of relevant job training/experience.
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EB-3C: For unskilled workers who have the ability to perform work that no U.S.-based workers can currently fill.
With all types of EB-3 visa applications, you obtain a valid Permanent Labor Certification from the Department of Labor. In effect, this means that the applicant and the sponsor must prove that the current U.S. workforce is insufficient to fill the available position(s).
Sponsorship Required: No Self-Petition Option Available
Notably, there is no self-petition category for an EB-3 visa. Every EB-3 application requires a sponsorship. In order to file a successful petition for a visa, an individual international worker will need a job offer from a qualified American employer. That employer must sponsor the petition. If you have any questions about the role of the sponsor in the process, our Dallas, TX employment immigration lawyer is available to help.
Unlike applicants for an EB-1 visa, EB-3 applicants require sponsorship from an employer. In all instances, EB-3 applicants must have both a labor certification and a permanent, full-time job offer to qualify. There are three subcategories within the umbrella of EB-3 applicants –– skilled workers, professionals, and unskilled workers. They are required to produce different levels of evidence in order to apply for the visa.
EB-3 Skilled Worker Requirements
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Demonstrate at least two years of job experience or training.
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Work must involve employment for which qualified workers in the U.S. are unavailable.
EB-3 Professional Requirements
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Possess a U.S. baccalaureate (bachelor's degree) or foreign equivalent. (Note, the position must normally call for a professional with a bachelor's degree.)
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Work must involve employment for which qualified workers in the U.S. are unavailable.
EB-3 Unskilled Worker Requirements
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Must be able to perform unskilled labor on a permanent basis. (This excludes seasonal work.)
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Work must involve employment for which qualified workers in the U.S. are unavailable.
EB-3 Application Process
The application for this visa begins with the employer –– otherwise known as the petitioner. They must file form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker. From there, the employer must demonstrate that they are able to pay the applicant the offered wage (usually this is done by sending in an annual report, statement, or tax return).
The second phase of the application process switches from the petitioner to the applicant. To successfully apply for an EB-3, an applicant must:
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Obtain a Permanent Labor Certification from the Department of Labor.
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Complete Form I-140.
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Submit filing fees. (Example: the filing fee for form I-140 is $700.)
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Submit evidence related to the application. (Such as a bachelor's degree, for instance.)
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Sign and file the form(s).
EB-3 Alternatives
Employment-based visa alternatives to the EB-3 include the EB-1 (first preference) and EB-2 (second preference) visas. EB-1 visas are reserved for aliens who are outstanding professors, researchers, executives, or individuals with “extraordinary ability.” EB-2 visas are reserved for individuals who hold an advanced degree or equivalent in their field, or for those who display “exceptional ability” in the arts, sciences, or business.
You Can Rely On Dallas Immigration Attorney Karen-Lee Pollak
EB-3 visas are complicated. It is normal to have many questions and concerns about the application process. With extensive experience helping clients navigate the U.S. immigration & visa system, our Managing Attorney Karen-Lee Pollak can help you find the best solution. When you reach out to our Dallas law office, you will have a chance to work with a firm that can:
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Conduct a comprehensive, confidential review of your case;
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Answer any questions you have about EB-3 visa applications;
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Gather all of the information and paperwork you need to proceed; and
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Proactively work to help you overcome any obstacles to an EB-3 visa.
Call Our Dallas, TX EB-3 Visa Attorney for Help
Our Texas EB-3 visa lawyer is an experienced, solutions-driven advocate helping clients obtain visas, green cards, permanent residency, temporary work visas, and more. If you have questions about the EB-3 visa application process or other immigration services our firm offers, don't hesitate to reach out to our firm. Whether you are a business or are looking for assistance in the immigration process, we have the specialized knowledge in immigration law you need. Call us at (214) 307-5510 or connect with us online to arrange a fully confidential consultation. With an office in Addison, we service clients throughout the Greater Dallas area including Fort Worth, Irving, Richardson, Arlington, Frisco, Plano, Garland, and other cities.
