Applying for an EB-3 Unskilled Visa – How long does it take, and is it worth it? Let’s find out!

Here are the main factors that contribute to the overall processing time of about 4.5 years

1. Waiting for Quotas and Priority Dates (Visa Bulletin & Backlogs)

Quota Limitations: The U.S. government limits the number of permanent immigrant visas (Green Cards) issued each year under the EB-3 category.

Per-Country Cap: Even though there’s a global quota, each country is also subject to a per-country limit (no more than 7% of the worldwide total). For “All Other Countries” (including Thailand), the situation is generally better than for China or India. However, if demand suddenly increases beyond the quota, a backlog can occur — meaning cases get delayed.

Priority Date: Your Priority Date is the date your employer files the PERM application. You can only receive your visa once your Priority Date becomes current according to the Visa Bulletin. When the cutoff date moves backward (called retrogression), the waiting time can become even longer.

2. Labor Certification (PERM Labor Certification)

Estimated time: 12–17 months

Why it takes time: Your U.S. employer must file with the Department of Labor (DOL) to prove that there are no qualified, willing, and available U.S. workers for the position, and that the offered wage meets prevailing wage standards.

3. Immigrant Petition (Form I-140)

Estimated time: 12–15 months (or 15–45 business days with Premium Processing, which requires an additional fee)

Why it takes time: The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reviews the petition. If any supporting documents are missing or incomplete, they may issue a Request for Evidence (RFE), which causes delays.

4. (For some jobs) Prevailing Wage Determination (PWD)

Estimated time: 5–8 months

Why it takes time: The DOL receives a large volume of PWD requests across multiple visa categories (including H-1B and EB-3). This step ensures that the wage offered by the employer is fair and compliant with U.S. labor laws.

What do you get in exchange for the 4.5-year wait?

This waiting period is truly an investment in your future, because you will gain the most valuable outcome of all – permanent residency in the U.S.

Permanent Resident Status (Green Card): You will become a lawful permanent resident.

Family Opportunities: You can bring your spouse and unmarried children to start a new life in the U.S. together.

Path to Citizenship: The Green Card is your gateway to eventually applying for U.S. citizenship.

Educational Opportunities: Both you and your dependents will have access to better education and training options.

Even though the process takes time (and honestly, four years go by fast), it’s a bridge to a better, lawful, and permanent life in the United States.

During the waiting period, you can use the time to improve your English skills and prepare for your new life abroad.

Ready to queue up for a better future?

We have reliable U.S. employers (sponsors) with years of experience guiding Thai applicants through the entire Green Card process from start to finish.

If you’d like more information about the EB-3 application,

please contact our EB-3 department directly via Line OA: @kpb-eb3visa

You can also follow other KPB USA channels at:

www.kpbusa.com