How difficult is it to get an EB-3 visa?

To apply for an EB-3 visa, you need to complete a multi-step process that includes receiving a job offer from a U.S. employer, obtaining a labor certification, and attending a visa interview at the U.S. Consulate in Vietnam. This green card is based on immigration law and is for skilled workers, professionals, and unskilled workers who meet the criteria set by the U.S. Immigration Service.

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility

• Must be a Vietnamese citizen, age 18+, with clear legal and medical status.
• Must meet one of the EB‑3 categories:
• Professionals: Hold a bachelor’s degree or its foreign equivalent.
• Skilled workers: Have at least 2 years of relevant training or experience.
• Other workers: Perform jobs requiring less than 2 years of training.

Step 2: Secure a U.S. Employer Job Offer

• The job must be full-time and permanent, corresponding to your EB‑3 category.
• The U.S. employer must start the PERM Labor Certification process by recruiting in the U.S. and proving no qualified U.S. workers are available.

Step 3: PERM Labor Certification

• Employer files ETA Form 9089 with U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).
• Includes prevailing wage determination and recruitment efforts.
• Expected processing: ~12–18 months, possibly longer if audited.

Step 4: File Form I‑140 with USCIS

• Once PERM is approved, the employer submits Form I‑140 to USCIS.
• Standard processing: 4–9 months, average around 7.6 months.
• Premium processing available for 15 calendar days (~$2,805 fee).

Step 5: Visa Availability & NVC Processing

• With I-140 approval, wait for your priority date to become "current" per the Visa Bulletin.
• Vietnam EB-3 is often current; applicants then proceed via National Visa Center (NVC) for documents and DS-260 form.

Step 6: Consular Interview in Vietnam

• Scheduled at U.S. Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City (or Embassy in Hanoi).
• Required documents:
• Valid passport, medical exam from approved clinic (e.g. IOM or Cho Ray Hospital)
• Police clearance, civil documents
• Job offer letter, academic and experience records
• If in the U.S. already, applicants may file I-485 Adjustment of Status instead of consular processing.

Step 7: Travel and Admission to the U.S.

• If visa is granted, travel to the U.S. before visa expiry.
• Upon arrival, you’re admitted as a lawful permanent resident; your Green Card is mailed afterward.

Estimated Timeline

Vietnam applicants usually process without long visa queue delays, unlike EB‑3 applicants from India or China.

Key Considerations

• Documentation Accuracy: Ensure all translations and records (e.g. job description, wage, qualifications) are precise and verifiable. Mistakes may trigger audits or denials.
• Flash Scams Warning: Avoid agencies that promise EB‑3 approvals or ask for fees before obtaining a valid job offer.
• Track Visa Bulletin Monthly: Monitor cutoff changes to know when you can proceed.

Navigating this journey successfully takes more than just meeting the requirements — it takes the right guidance and a trusted strategy.

Choose the right path, take the right steps — Begin your American dream through the EB-3 program with UOM Global.

At UOM Global, we don’t just process visas — we help build your future.
With our strategic immigration planning, deep understanding of U.S. policies, and partnerships with trusted U.S. attorneys, UOM guides you through every step of your EB-3 journey — from eligibility assessment and document preparation to visa approval and long-term relocation support.

Contact UOM Global today to schedule a free consultation at www.uomglobal.com
Available 24/7 via live chat or email at [email protected]

The overall processing time for an EB-3 visa typically ranges from 2 to 3 years, but it can vary depending on several factors such as the applicant’s nationality, the EB-3 subcategory (skilled, professional, or unskilled), and current government processing backlogs.

Nevertheless, in the case of high-demand countries (India, China, or the Philippines), an applicant may have to wait up to 5 years or more, depending on the per-country provision of visas and the retrogression of the priority date.

EB-3 Visa Process & Timeline Breakdown

What Can Affect EB-3 Processing Time?

Country of Chargeability

The large volume countries experience delay in applications because of the yearly country-specific limitations.

Visa Bulletin & Priority Dates

You can only proceed once the priority date used at the time of PERM or I-140 filing is deemed current in the monthly Visa Bulletin.

Accuracy of Documentation

Errors in description of jobs, classification of wages, recruiting files or standards of aptitudes of the candidates involved can result into delay in processing, awaiting review, or rejection of documents.

Premium Processing

Premium processing is also available only in Form I-140, and speeds up the USCIS decision time to 15 calendar days (currently, the fee is 2,805 dollars as of 2025), however it does not facilitate the PERM labor certification or green card issuance.

Adjustment of Status vs. Consular Processing

To apply internally in the U.S., you can expect the I-485 step to take longer than usual since it is affected by interview backlogs. But when making an appointment overseas, embassy availability may become a factor.

Tips to Avoid Delays

• Attend to an advanced immigration attorney as a way of doing it right.
• Make sure that your employer is financially capable, as well as credible.
• Become aware of the Visa Bulletin as it is posted monthly to see the progress of your group.
• Consider premium processing if you need faster I-140 approval.

In Summary

While the EB-3 visa is considered one of the more accessible employment-based green cards, the path can be lengthy and complex. For applicants from low-demand countries, the process may take as little as 2 to 3 years. In the case of others, especially the piece of the unskilled worker category in India or China, this whole process may take more than ten years.

Need Help Navigating the EB-3 Visa Process?

At UOM Global, we specialize in helping skilled, professional, and unskilled workers across Asia achieve U.S. permanent residency through the EB-3 program.

Start your EB-3 visa process with confidence — Apply through our website at www.uomglobal.com and get professional, end-to-end support every step of the way.

The difficulty of obtaining an EB-3 visa varies depending on each applicant’s circumstances. Although EB3 visa is regarded as one of the more accessible employment based categories of green card, it is not at all a smooth avenue. The procedure which requires applicants to go through a multi-level process with strict legal requirements, sponsorship by an employer in the United States and in some cases years of waiting has its pitfalls, particularly individuals in countries where high demand exists.

Understanding the key challenges ahead can help you prepare more effectively and avoid unnecessary delays.

Key Challenges

1. Securing a Qualified Employer Sponsor

It can be challenging to identify an American employer, who is eager and willing to sponsor you and also who uses eligibility under one of the criteria. Employers will have to be prepared to spend time and money on the PERM labor certification procedure, which is 8-22 months long and requires rigorous documentation proving that no qualified U.S. workers were found to fill the position.

2. Lengthy Labor Certification & USCIS Processing

• PERM Certification typically takes 6–12 months, and may be audited if recruitment records are incomplete or suspicious.
• Form I-140 processing takes 4–9 months (or 15 days with premium processing).
• Additional delays occur due to visa bulletin backlogs for certain countries.

3. Visa Backlog & Priority Date Retrogression

Most applicants from high-demand countries like India and China face long waiting periods, particularly in the Other Workers (unskilled) category. Some may wait 5–10+ years before visas become available

Common Obstacles to Approval

• Incomplete or inaccurate documentation (e.g. job descriptions, recruitment proof)
• Lack of qualifications matching the job requirements
• Employer financial inability to pay the prevailing wage
• PERM audit issues or DOL denial during recruitment phase
• Priority date not current due to per-country visa caps

Final Thoughts

Although the EB-3 visa category accepts a broadly-based category of skilled, professional and unskilled workers the key component to succeed is the cooperation on the part of your employer, documentation, and close monitoring of your priority date and visa bulletin movement. It is long and complicated, yet having a proper plan and a mentor, it can be done, without doubts.

For more information about the EB‑3 visa process or to get personalized guidance on your case, feel free to contact UOM Global team.

We’re available 24/7 via live chat or email at [email protected] — ready to assist you every step of the way.

EB-3 is an employment based immigrant visa issued by the United States, belongs to the third preference which is utilized to apply by the foreign nationals to obtain the permanent residency ( Green Card ) in the United States of America, through employment.

The U.S. employers have the option of sponsoring foreign immigrants to get green cards in this program; the immigrant would need to fall in either of the following three subcategories:

EB-3 Visa Categories

1. Skilled Workers

• Must have at least 2 years of job experience or training in a skilled occupation.
• The job must be non-seasonal and permanent.
• Relevant post-secondary education may count toward this requirement.

2. Professionals

• Must have a U.S. bachelor’s degree or its foreign equivalent.
• The degree must be a normal requirement for the occupation.
• Experience cannot substitute for the degree.

3. Other Workers (Unskilled)

• For positions requiring less than 2 years of training or experience.
• Common roles include caregivers, cleaners, hotel staff, or food service workers.

Note: Other Workers can have the longest waiting times due to the great demand and limited visa availability.

Key Features of the EB-3 Visa

✔ Job Offer Required

You must be sponsored by a U.S. employer that has an official offer to you for a full-time (35 or more hours per week and 12 months per year) job that is permanent.

✔ Employer Sponsorship

The U.S. employer must sponsor you by completing a PERM labor certification and filing Form I-140 with USCIS.

✔ Leads to Green Card

Grants U.S. permanent residency, allowing the applicant, the spouse and unmarried children under 21 to live and work in the United States permanently.

✔ Family Inclusion

Unmarried children under 21 of spouses and unmarried children under 21 can apply for green cards in the same application.

✔ Cost Estimate

The overall spending on an EB-3 visa may amount to as much as $45,000 inclusive of the attorney fees, labor certification charges, the USCIS filing and the visa interview fees.

Application Timeline

• PERM Labor Certification: ~6–12 months (Employer has to prove there is no American worker qualified to do the job.)
• I-140 Petition Processing: ~4–9 months (Employer files a petition with USCIS on the worker’s behalf.)
• Adjustment of Status or Consular Processing: Depends on visa availability and applicant’s location
• Total Processing Time: The Processing time depends on the country; some countries complete it in 1 to 3 years and for other countries, it can take longer depending on demand (like India or China).

Important Notes

• No self-petitioning: You cannot self petition i.e. a U.S. employer must sponsor you.
• Annual visa limits: Each country has a cap, so applicants from high-demand nations (India, China, Philippines) may face longer wait times.
• Though the EB-3 visa is a strong immigration scheme, it is quite demanding, as it involves a proper organization of the employer, the applicant, and the legal counsel.

Not sure how to begin your EB‑3 visa journey? UOM is here to guide you.

UOM is a trusted partner for skilled workers, professionals, and employees across Asia. We specialize in employment-based green card solutions and provide full-service support — from eligibility screening to legal processing and long-term settlement planning.

Our end-to-end EB‑3 services include:

• Personalized eligibility assessment and job-matching with certified U.S. employers
• Complete legal handling of PERM Labor Certification and Form I‑140
• Step-by-step support for visa interviews and family inclusion
• Ongoing legal guidance, case tracking, and immigration strategy

Book your free consultation today at www.uomglobal.com and let UOM help you build your future in the U.S. — step by step, the right way.

Yes. Most EB-3 applicants are required to attend a visa interview at a U.S. consulate or embassy. UOM provides thorough preparation to help you navigate this step with confidence.

Not necessarily. UOM works with a vetted network of U.S. employers actively hiring foreign workers under EB-3 sponsorship, and can support you throughout the matching and documentation process.