EB-3 Skilled Worker Green Card
USCIS fee schedule G-1055 (edition 10/07/26): Form I-140 USD 715 paper or USD 665 online, plus the Asylum Program Fee (USD 600 regular petitioner, USD 300 small employer or self-petitioner, USD 0 nonprofit) and other fees that may apply. State Department: employment-based immigrant visa processing USD 345. USCIS says new inflation-adjusted fees take effect on October 16, 2026.≈ $715
USCIS processing-times tool: Form I-140 skilled worker or professional (E31; E32) at Service Center Operations, 80% of cases are completed within 4 months. Estimates change over time.
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Source-backed requirements
Eligibility
(2)Skilled Worker Experience Requirement
ConditionalApplies to the EB-3 skilled-worker subcategory: the nontemporary, nonseasonal job requires at least two years of training or experience, and the applicant must meet its requirements.
Verified officialProfessional Degree Requirement
DocumentConditionalApplies only to the EB-3 professional subcategory: the job requires a bachelor's degree and the applicant must hold a U.S. bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent degree.
Verified official
Qualification
(1)Permanent Full-Time Job Offer
MandatoryThe applicant must have a permanent, full-time job offer from a U.S. employer to be eligible for the EB-3 visa category.
Verified official
Application
(2)Labor Certification (PERM)
MandatoryEB-3 normally requires an approved DOL labor certification. A qualifying Schedule A case uses the applicable alternative filing procedure; do not treat prior PERM approval as universal.
Verified officialImmigrant Petition Filing
MandatoryThe U.S. employer must file Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, to initiate the EB-3 visa process for the foreign national.
Verified official
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Source citations
8 CFR 204.5 — Employment-based immigrant petitions
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (DHS)
Current regulatory text reviewed 2026-10-13: EB-1 extraordinary ability evidence, self-petition and continued work; EB-3 subcategories, qualifications and labor-certification alternatives. No current fee or waiting-time claim.
Official links
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