An EB-3 visa is an employment-based, third-preference visa that allows foreign workers to live and work permanently in the United States. It is typically used for skilled workers, professionals, and other workers.

To apply for an EB-3 visa, an individual must be sponsored by an employer in the U.S. The sponsor is usually a U.S.-based company or organization that is willing to hire the foreign worker and offer them a permanent position. The employer must file a petition (Form I-140) on behalf of the worker, and they must demonstrate that the position being offered cannot be filled by a U.S. worker.

Here are the main categories of the EB-3 visa:

1. Skilled Workers: Individuals with at least two years of experience or training in a specific occupation.
2. Professionals: Workers with a U.S. bachelor’s degree or foreign equivalent, and who perform jobs that require at least a degree.
3. Other Workers: Unskilled labor requiring less than two years of training or experience, which is often difficult to fill by U.S. workers.

For the process to begin, the employer needs to EB-3 Visa Sponsor:

1. Obtain a Labor Certification (PERM) from the U.S. Department of Labor.
2. Submit a Form I-140 petition to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
3. Once approved, the worker may apply for a visa at a U.S. consulate or adjust status if already in the U.S.