EB3 Visa Unskilled Worker Requirements: Essential Facts 2025

EB3 Visa Unskilled Worker Requirements provide the main requirements of foreign nationals who would like to become permanent residents of the U.S. working in less than two-year training and experience jobs. Such a type of visa has become necessary to address the labor shortage in the hospitality and construction, agriculture, and manufacturing sectors.

In this article, we guide you through the EB3 Visa Unskilled Worker Requirements in 2025—including eligibility, the application process, common job roles, benefits, and challenges—providing a clear overview for applicants and employers.

1. What is an Unskilled Worker?

An Unskilled Worker is an EB3 visa category that contains people working in jobs that demand less than two years of training or experience and would wish to obtain a long-term residence in the U.S.

In comparison to Skilled Workers or Professionals, this group focuses on core jobs in the hospitality, construction, agriculture, and manufacturing industries that need no higher education. Before applying one needs to understand the EB3 Unskilled Worker Requirements.

EB3 Visa Unskilled Worker Requirements and definition of unskilled worker jobs

2. EB3 Visa Unskilled Worker Requirements

In order to submit a successful application of EB3 visa as unskilled worker, few important requirements must be followed by the applicants and employers. These are part of the EB3 Visa Unskilled Worker Requirements that determine eligibility.

2.1. Ability to Perform Unskilled Work

Applicants should be able to do a job that takes less than two years of training or experience. Emphasis is placed on practical skills as opposed to education. These could involve carrying out simple assembling work, cleaning or crop harvesting.

2.2. Permanent, Non-Seasonal Employment

The job in question should be permanent and full-time, not a seasonal one or a temporary employment. The U.S. Department of Labor would like to make sure that the EB-3 visa would help to find long-term employment in the positions that have permanent labor requirements. This is in the EB3 Visa Unskilled Worker Requirements.

2.3. Labor Certification (PERM) Requirement

Those employers are supposed to submit Labor Certification (Form ETA-9089) to the U.S. Department of Labor. This certification establishes that qualified U.S. workers are not available to fill the position which is a critical step in meeting the EB3 visa unskilled worker requirements.

2.4. Employer’s Responsibility to Demonstrate Lack of Qualified U.S. Workers

The employer must provide proof that they have advertised the job locally and could not find a suitable U.S. candidate. This step ensures that the EB-3 visa is reserved for positions that genuinely require foreign labor and aligns with the EB3 Visa Unskilled Worker Requirements.

2.5. Additional Considerations

• No formal education is required.
• English proficiency is not mandatory, though basic communication skills may be necessary.
• Previous work experience is optional as long as the applicant can perform the job.

Meeting these requirements is the foundation of the EB3 Visa Unskilled Worker Requirements.

Need help ensuring your application meets all requirements? Contact UOM Global for expert assistance.

EB3 Visa Unskilled Worker Requirements including labor certification and employer proof

3. EB3 Unskilled Jobs List

The EB3 Unskilled Jobs List highlights positions that require less than two years of training or experience and are typically not seasonal. Some common job examples include:

• Service Staff (Servers): Serving food and beverages in restaurants or fast-food establishments.
• Kitchen Staff (Line Cooks, Prep Cooks, Short Order Cooks): Preparing and cooking meals according to menus.
• Housekeeping and Cleaning Staff (Housekeepers, Janitors, Commercial Cleaners): Maintaining cleanliness in hotels, offices, or commercial facilities.
• Construction Laborers: Handling materials, cleaning worksites, and assisting with basic construction tasks.
• Warehouse Workers: Managing inventory, packing, and transporting goods in warehouses.
• Caregivers: Providing care for the elderly or disabled in home or care facilities.
• Farm Workers: Harvesting crops, tending livestock, and performing general farm work.

These positions typically do not require formal education and can be learned quickly through on-the-job training, satisfying part of the EB3 Visa Unskilled Worker Requirements.

4. EB3 Visa Application Process for Unskilled Workers

The EB3 visa application procedure involving an Unskilled Worker comprises of the following important steps that ought to be done attentively to adhere to the EB3 Unskilled Worker Requirements and ensure a successful outcome.

Step 1: Employer Sponsorship

The first step is to find a full-time job opportunity in the U.S. that the employer is ready to sponsor the candidate. The employer is bound to fulfill all the requirements needed to pursue the EB3 visa by submitting the required forms and proving that the employer is adhering to the U.S. labor requirements. This is one of the requirements of EB3 Visa Unskilled Worker Requirements.

Step 2: Labor Certification (PERM)

The employer starts the PERM labor certification process with the filing to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). This will be done so that the employment of a foreigner worker is not going to have any adverse impact on the U.S. workers.

• The employer has to publicize the job and do recruitment work to demonstrate that there are no qualified U.S. workers.
• All recruitment and advertising requirements set by the DOL must be strictly followed.
• Labor certification is a crucial part of meeting the EB3 visa unskilled worker requirements.

For guidance on the PERM process and labor certification, reach out to UOM Global for support with EB3 Visa Unskilled Worker Requirements.

Step 3: Filing the Immigrant Petition (Form I-140)

Once the labor certification is approved, the employer files Form I-140 with USCIS. This petition includes:

• Evidence of the job offer
• Documentation of the applicant’s qualifications
• Proof that the employer can pay the prevailing wage for the position

Approval of Form I-140 establishes the applicant’s eligibility for permanent residency under the EB3 unskilled worker category.

Step 4: Priority Date and Visa Bulletin

Determined at time of filing of the I-140 petition or labor certification. The Visa Bulletin published by the U.S. Department of State is to be followed by an applicant to determine when his/her priority date will become effective. Then only can they go on with the remaining steps in the visa process.

Step 5: Adjustment of Status or Consular Processing

• Applicants already in the U.S. can file Form I-485 to adjust their status to permanent resident once the priority date is current.
• Applicants outside the U.S. are required to complete consular processing in one of the U.S. embassies or consulates in order to acquire their green card.

This can take 2 to 4 years based on country of origin of the applicant, date of priority and USCIS processing times. A recognized EB3 unskilled agency could help facilitate the process and could be helpful in reducing the mistakes that can delay the approval.

EB3 Visa Unskilled Worker Requirements with step by step application process

5. Factors Affecting Processing Times

The time to secure an EB3 visa of unskilled workers can be influenced by the following factors:

• Annual Visa Limit: The number of EB3 Visa which is being reserved on annual basis has now reached about 10,000.
• Country-Specific Quotas: The applicants of high-demand countries can be subjected to the longer wait times.
• Visa Bulletin Updates: Each month, the department of state publishes updates that influence the priority dates.

The time needed to process may require 36 months up to several years.

Looking for the right job opportunities under the EB3 unskilled category? UOM Global can connect you with employers and guide your application.

6. Benefits of the Unskilled Worker EB3 Visa

Obtaining an EB3 visa offers several significant benefits for applicants who meet the EB3 visa Unskilled Worker Requirements:

• Permanent Residency:Applicants and family members are allowed to live and work permanently in the U.S.
• Family Sponsorship: Spouses and unmarried children under 21 are eligible for derivative status.
• Path to U.S. Citizenship: The applicants can seek naturalization after a specific time with a green card.
• Employment Stability: A long-term employment in the places that were previously not easily available to the foreigners.

Benefits of U.S. permanent residency gained through EB3 Visa Unskilled Worker Requirements

7. Challenges in the Unskilled Worker EB3 Visa Process

Despite the benefits, applicants may encounter challenges:

• Long Wait Times: Processing can take several years, especially for applicants from countries with high demand.
• Job Verification: Employers must provide detailed proof that no qualified U.S. workers are available.
• Agency Selection: Not all agencies are reputable; choosing a trustworthy EB3 unskilled agency is critical.
• Changing Jobs: Unskilled workers need to comply with immigration rules when changing employers or roles.

Preparation and guidance from experienced agencies or legal counsel can help applicants satisfy the EB3 visa Unskilled Worker Requirements and overcome these obstacles.

Final Thoughts: Pathway to U.S. Residency with EB3

Understanding the EB3 Visa Unskilled Worker Requirements is the first step for foreign nationals seeking permanent residency in the U.S. through employment in positions requiring less than two years of training or experience. By carefully meeting eligibility criteria and following the application process, applicants can secure long-term employment, support essential industries, and open a pathway to family sponsorship and eventual U.S. citizenship.

For personalized guidance throughout the EB3 unskilled worker process, UOM Global, a specialized U.S. immigration advisory firm, offers expert assistance at every step—from job selection and labor certification to visa filing—helping applicants navigate the process smoothly and increase their chances of approval.