EB-2 vs EB-3: The Right Option for You

Trying to decide between the EB-2 and EB-3 employment-based green cards? Understanding their key differences can help you choose the right path to U.S. permanent residency. This guide breaks down the qualifications, application processes, and processing times to help you make an informed decision.

Overview:

1. Overview of EB-2 and EB-3 visas
2. Second vs third preference
3. Requirements
4. Application Process
5. Processing Time
6. Conclusion

1. Overview of EB-2 and EB-3 Visas

The EB-2 and EB-3 visas are both employment-based immigrant visas, and understanding EB-2 vs EB-3 is essential when choosing between them. This means that, in most cases, a US employer is required to sponsor you. Additionally, there cannot be any other qualified and willing American workers for the job.

Both of these visas give you permanent resident status in the United States (a green card), making EB-2 vs EB-3 a critical comparison for long-term planning. As a permanent resident, you have many benefits including the following:

• Ability to live and work in the United States
• Easier ability to enter and exit the United States
• Ability to sponsor your family members for immigration benefits
• As a permanent resident, you are on the path to U.S. Citizenship
• Ability to go to school in the United States

Both visas have many benefits and may be useful for you, depending on your EB-2 vs EB-3 eligibility. However, it is important that you understand the differences when evaluating EB-2 vs EB-3. This will enable you to determine which visa is most appropriate for your situation when comparing EB-2 vs EB-3.

The EB-2 visa is the second-preference employment visa. This visa is available to people with advanced degrees and/or exceptional ability. Advanced degrees are master’s degrees or higher (or the foreign equivalent). A person with a bachelor’s (or equivalent) and five years of work may also be eligible for an EB-2 visa. Exceptional ability is anyone with heightened ability in their respective field. This can be shown through awards, work experience, or with other evidence. The EB-2 visa is also available to people who will work in the national interest of the United States. This could include healthcare professionals who will work in under-resourced areas.

The EB-3 visa is the third-preference employment visa. This visa is open to professionals, skilled workers, and unskilled workers. Professionals are people with bachelor’s degrees or higher (or the foreign equivalent). Skilled workers are people with 2 or more years of relevant work experience. Unskilled workers are people with less than 2 years of relevant work experience.

More information about the EB-2 and EB-3 visas can be found on our website. Additionally, my team and I would be happy to answer any questions you have about either. We would also be happy to assist you with your EB-2 or EB-3 visa case.

While there are several similarities in these types of visas and the application process, there are key differences to consider in EB-2 vs EB-3. The following sections will explain some of them.

2. Second Preference vs Third Preference

The first key difference between the EB-2 vs the EB-3 visa is their preference categories. Both are employment-based visas, but EB-2 vs EB-3 distinctions still play a major role in outcomes. However, the EB-2 visa is the second-preference employment visa and the EB-3 visa is the third-preference employment visa. This means that EB-2 visas are slightly preferred over EB-3 visas, a key factor in EB-2 vs EB-3 decisions.

EB-2 visas make up 28.7% of approved employment-based visas. Additionally, if there is more supply than demand for EB-1 visas, the EB-2 visa can fill the remainder of the spots allocated for EB-1 visas.

EB-3 visas also make up 28.7% of approved employment-based visas. Additionally, if there is more supply than demand for EB-1 + EB-2 visas, they can fill the remainder of those allocated spots. However, the EB-3 category is not eligible for any of these “spillover” spots if there are any EB-1 or EB-2 visas ahead of them.

EB-2 visas are of a higher preference, which means the standards to obtain this category are more strict in EB-2 vs EB-3 comparisons. If you qualify for both the EB-2 and EB-3 visa, it may be better to apply for one over the other. You should discuss with a qualified immigration lawyer which option is best for you when evaluating EB-2 vs EB-3. For example, the country you were born in may be a very important consideration, as this can impact your wait time.

In addition to the EB-2 and EB-3 visa, there are a couple of other types of employment-based green cards. The EB-1 visa is for priority workers.  It has the highest set of requirements, and only a select few people will qualify. The EB-4 and EB-5 visas are only for specific workers. Thus, the EB-2 and EB-3 visas are the most commonly utilized. Additionally, there are also family-based green cards. This means that a family member, as opposed to an employer, would sponsor your green card application. My team and I would be happy to help you figure out which green card avenue is most appropriate for you.

3. Requirements

Another difference between the EB-2 and the EB-3 visa has to do with the requirements, which is a major factor in EB-2 vs EB-3. As previously mentioned, the requirements for the EB-2 visa vs EB-3 visa has similarities and differences.

Similarities

US Employer Sponsor

Under both visas, you must have an offer of employment from a US employer, which is a shared element in EB-2 vs EB-3. Additionally, the US employer must be willing to sponsor you. The one exception here is if you are applying under the National Interest Waiver category under the EB-2 visa. The National Interest Waiver is a special sub-category of the EB-2 visa for people that will be working in a field that is in the national interest. In this case, you may be eligible to self-petition. This means that you can apply for the EB-2 visa without an employer sponsoring you.

Labor Certification

Under both the EB2 and the EB3 visa, the employer sponsor must get an approved Labor Certification from the U.S. Department of Labor, a core requirement in EB-2 vs EB-3. Basically, what this means is that the employer must show that they tried to hire a qualified U.S. worker, but they were unable to do so successfully. This process is also referred to as the PERM process.

One exception to the requirement of getting an approved labor certification is the national interest waiver. As mentioned above, the national interest waiver is a special subcategory of the EB-2 visa, available to people who will be working in a field that is in the national interest. Under this category a job offer and a completed labor certification are not required.

Differences

Education and Experience

One of the main differences between the EB-2 and EB-3 visa has to do with the education and experience required to qualify, which is central to EB-2 vs EB-3. As previously mentioned, the EB-2 visa is the second-preference employment visa and the EB-3 visa is the third-preference employment visa. This means that the requirements for the EB-2 visa are more strict. The EB-2 visa category holders must hold advanced degrees, have exceptional ability, or benefit the national interest of the United States. These standards must be shown through past work experience, significant awards, or other evidence. These are relatively high bars to meet.

On the other hand, the EB-3 visa has less strict requirements. People who are professionals, skilled workers, and unskilled workers are eligible for this visa. As mentioned above, professionals are people with bachelor’s degrees or higher (or the foreign equivalent). Skilled workers are people with 2 or more years of relevant work experience. Unskilled workers are people with less than 2 years of relevant work experience.

Many more people are eligible within the EB-3 visa category, which is an important distinction in EB-2 vs EB-3. My team and I can help you determine if the EB-2 or EB-3 visa is more appropriate for you.

4. Application Process

The application process for each visa can be slightly different when comparing EB-2 vs EB-3.

Under both the EB-2 and the EB-3 visa, the employer must first go through the PERM Labor Certification process (which we discussed above). Once the employer receives the approved labor certification, they must file a Form I-140 (immigrant petition) with USCIS. Lastly, the foreign worker seeking the EB-2 or EB-3 visa must then apply for an immigrant visa or apply for an adjustment of status if they are lawfully present inside the United States. The process is very similar under the EB-2 and EB-3 visa.

The main difference is that the EB-2 visa only sometimes requires the PERM labor certification, which is a key point in EB-2 vs EB-3. Those with advanced degrees or exceptional ability must have a PERM labor certification. However, as we mentioned, those who qualify for the National Interest Waiver do not require a PERM labor certification. National interest waiver applicants can skip the PERM labor certification process and apply for their own I-140 (without having an employer sponsor).

On the other hand, all EB-3 applicants will require the PERM labor certification.

Another important difference to note is that the job recruitment process is slightly less difficult for some EB-3 visas than it is for EB-2 visas.

Despite the differences, the EB-2 and EB-3 visas will always the filing of an I-140 (immigrant petition) and either an adjustment of status or application for immigrant visa. This portion will work almost identically under both categories.

5. Processing Time

The processing time is one of the most significant differences between the EB-2 visa and EB-3 visa when evaluating EB-2 vs EB-3. As previously mentioned, the EB-2 visa has stricter requirements than the EB-3 visa. Based on the more strict requirements, the EB-2 visa has historically had less of a visa backlog. A visa backlog is a situation where the demand for a particular visa is higher than the available supply of that visa. Based on the increased demand, there is a waiting period. When this happens, there is a backlog. This can be a confusing concept to understand. If you have any questions, please message us as we would be happy to explain in more detail.

Some Information on Visa Backlogs

Regarding visa backlogs, please note that 28.7% of total employment-based green card visas are allocated for the EB-2 and the EB-3 visa categories respectively. Additionally, no more than 7% of the available visas in either category can be allocated to people from one country. Once a particular country has reached its limit of available visas, a backlog can form for that country. The country you are counted within is based on the country you were born in (this is also referred to as your country of chargeability).

EB-2 and EB-3 Processing Times

• The processing time for the PERM labor certification is usually 6 to 18 months. This is the same for both the EB-2 and EB-3 visas.

• The processing time for the Form I-140 is usually around 6 to 9 months. This is also the same for EB-2 and EB-3 visas. It is also possible to pay extra for premium processing to expedite this process.

The above-mentioned steps are not influenced by the quotas on EB-2 and EB-3 visas. However, once your Form I-140 is filed, you will receive a priority date. You cannot schedule your visa interview until this date becomes current on the visa bulletin. Nor can you apply for an adjustment of status until that time as well. In many cases, the priority date is current. This means that there is no backlog. However, as we discussed, there are many countries that are subject to a backlog.

You can check the visa bulletin page here to current priority dates.

Many people will not have a wait for the EB-2 visa (depending on their country of birth).

On the other hand, there is a backlog for almost all applicants for the EB-3 visa. For nationals of many countries, this will be around 1-2 years. For nationals of other countries, such as China or India, wait times can be over 10 years.

The huge discrepancy in processing times between these 2 visa categories means that EB-2 vs EB-3 analysis is crucial based on your country of birth.

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For more information about backlog waiting times, you can look at the State Department website’s visa bulletin page. Additionally, my team and I would be happy to provide an analysis for your specific case.

6. Conclusion

The EB-2 visa and EB-3 visa have many similarities, but understanding EB-2 vs EB-3 is key to choosing the right path. Both categories are avenues to permanent residency (a green card). However, the EB-2 visa and EB-3 visa also have many differences. This guide examined some of the key differences such as the preference order, the requirements, the application process, and the processing time. You should now have a much stronger understanding of the differences between the EB-2 and EB-3 visas.

If you have any questions about the information in this guide or about either of these visas in general, please feel free to email me directly. I can be contacted at contact@ashoorilaw.com. I am very responsive via email and I would be happy to help you.