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

1. Overview of EB2 and EB3 Visas

The EB2 and EB3 visas are both employment-based immigrant visas. This means that, in most cases, a U.S. 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). 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. However, it is important that you understand the differences. This will enable you to determine which visa is most appropriate for your situation.

The EB2 visa is the second-preference employment visa, commonly referred to as the eb2 visa category under U.S. immigration law. 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 progressive work experience may also be eligible for an EB2 visa. Exceptional ability is anyone with heightened ability in their respective field. This can be shown through awards, work experience, or other evidence. The EB2 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 EB3 visa  is the third-preference employment-based immigrant visa under U.S. immigration law. The eb 3 visa is available to professionals, skilled workers, and certain other workers (commonly referred to as unskilled workers), provided all eligibility requirements are satisfied. 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 EB2 and EB3 visas can be found on our EB2 Visa Guide and EB3 Visa Guide. 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 EB2 or EB3 visa case.

While there are several similarities in these types of visas and the application process, there are some key differences. The following sections will explain some of them.

2. Second Preference vs Third Preference

The first key difference between the EB2 and EB3 visa is their preference categories. Both are employment-based visas. However, the EB2 visa is the second-preference employment visa, and the EB3 visa is the third-preference employment visa. This means that EB2 visas are slightly preferred over EB3 visas, which is a key consideration when evaluating the eb2 visa category versus the EB3 option.

EB2 visas make up approximately 28.6% of approved employment-based visas (about 40,000 annually). If there is more supply than demand for EB1 visas, the EB2 visa can fill the remainder of the spots allocated for EB1 visas.

EB3 visas also make up approximately 28.6% of approved employment-based visas. If there is more supply than demand for EB1 and EB2 visas, EB3 can fill the remainder of those allocated spots. However, the eb 3 visa category generally receives spillover numbers only after EB1 and EB2 demand has been satisfied, which can impact visa availability and wait times.

Because EB2 is a higher preference category, its eligibility standards are more stringent than those of the EB3 visa, which leads some highly qualified professionals to consider alternative extraordinary ability pathways such as the O1 visa to green card process. If you qualify for both the EB2 and EB3 visa, it may be better to apply for one over the other. You should discuss with a qualified immigration lawyer what would be the best visa to choose based on your unique circumstances. 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 EB2 and EB3 visa, there are a couple of other types of employment-based green cards, and some individuals may also work in the United States under a temporary classification such as the L-1 visa before pursuing permanent residence. The EB1 visa is for priority workers, including subcategories such as EB-1A for extraordinary ability, EB-1B for outstanding professors and researchers, and EB-1C for multinational managers and executives. It has the highest set of requirements, and only a select few people will qualify. The EB4 and EB5 visas are only for specific workers. Thus, the EB2 and EB3 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 (Green Card Options).

3. Requirements

Another difference between the EB2 and EB3 visa has to do with the requirements. As previously mentioned, the EB2 and EB3 visas have similarities and differences.

Similarities

U.S. Employer Sponsor

Under both visas, you must have an offer of employment from a U.S. employer. Additionally, the U.S. employer must be willing to sponsor you. The one exception here is if you are applying under the National Interest Waiver category under the EB2 visa. The National Interest Waiver is a special sub-category of the EB2 visa for people whose work has substantial merit and national importance, such as advancing U.S. healthcare, technology, or economic interests. In this case, you may be eligible to self-petition. This means that you can apply for the EB2 visa without an employer sponsoring you.

Labor Certification

Under both the EB2 and EB3 visa, the employer sponsor must get an approved Labor Certification from the U.S. Department of Labor (also called the PERM process). This means the employer must show that they tried to hire a qualified U.S. worker but were unable to do so successfully. The exception is the National Interest Waiver for EB2, which does not require a job offer or labor certification.

Differences

Education and Experience

One of the main differences between the EB2 and EB3 visa has to do with the education and experience required to qualify under each category. As previously mentioned, the EB2 visa is the second-preference employment visa, and the EB3 visa is the third-preference employment visa. This means that the requirements for the EB2 visa are more strict. The minimum requirements for EB2 include an advanced degree (master’s or higher, or bachelor’s plus five years of progressive experience), exceptional ability demonstrated through industry awards or other evidence, or work in the U.S. national interest. These are relatively high bars to meet.

On the other hand, the EB3 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.

Because the eb 3 visa has broader eligibility criteria, it may be more accessible to many applicants, although higher demand can sometimes result in longer wait times depending on visa bulletin movement. My team and I can help you determine if the EB2 or EB3 visa is more appropriate for you.

4. Application Process

The application process for each visa can be slightly different.

For both EB2 and EB3 visas, the employer must typically complete the PERM Labor Certification process. Once the employer receives the approved labor certification, they must file a Form I-140 (immigrant petition) with USCIS, and many applicants maintain lawful status during this process by complying with the H1B visa requirements. Lastly, the foreign worker seeking the EB2 or EB3 visa must then apply for an immigrant visa (via consular processing) or apply for an adjustment of status if they are lawfully present inside the United States.

The main difference is that the EB2 visa only sometimes requires the PERM labor certification. Those with advanced degrees or exceptional ability must have a PERM labor certification. However, 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 file their own I-140 (without having an employer sponsor).

On the other hand, all EB3 applicants will require the PERM labor certification.

Another important difference to note is that the job recruitment process is slightly less rigorous for some EB3 visas (e.g., unskilled workers) than it is for EB2 visas.

Despite the differences, the EB2 and EB3 visas will always require the filing of an I-140 (immigrant petition) and either an adjustment of status or application for an immigrant visa. This part of the process is nearly identical for both categories.

5. Processing Time

The processing time is one of the most significant differences between the EB2 visa and EB3 visa. For a more detailed breakdown of timelines and backlog trends, review our full guide on EB3 processing time. As previously mentioned, the EB2 visa has stricter requirements than the EB3 visa. Based on the more strict requirements, the EB2 visa often has a shorter visa backlog compared to EB3, making it faster for many applicants, especially from countries with high demand.

Some Information on Visa Backlogs

Approximately 28.6% of total employment-based green card visas are allocated for the EB2 and EB3 visa categories respectively (about 40,000 visas each annually). 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 forms for that country. The country you are counted within is based on the country you were born in (also referred to as your country of chargeability).

EB2 and EB3 Processing Times

The processing time for the PERM labor certification is usually 6 to 18 months. This is the same for both the EB2 and EB3 visas.

The processing time for the Form I-140 is usually around 6 to 9 months. This is also the same for EB2 and EB3 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 EB2 and EB3 visas. However, once your Form I-140 is filed, you will receive a priority date. You cannot schedule your visa interview or apply for an adjustment of status until this date becomes current on the visa bulletin. In many cases, the priority date is current, meaning there is no backlog. However, there are many countries that are subject to a backlog.

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

Many people will not have a wait for the EB2 visa (depending on their country of birth). In contrast, many applicants in the eb 3 visa category are subject to visa backlogs, which can directly affect overall green card timelines depending on the applicant’s country of chargeability. For nationals of many countries, this will be around 1–2 years. For certain countries with high demand, such as China and India, eb 3 visa wait times may be significantly longer due to annual visa limits and per-country caps; applicants should review the Visa Bulletin for the most current information.

The huge discrepancy in processing times between these 2 visa categories means that you should carefully analyze which category is faster based on your country of birth.

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

EB2 vs EB3 Comparison Table

6. Conclusion

The EB2 visa and EB3 visa have many similarities. Both categories are avenues to permanent residency (a green card). However, the EB2 and EB3 visas also have many differences. This guide examined some of the key differences, such as the preference order, requirements, application process, and processing time. You should now have a much stronger understanding of the differences between the EB2 and EB3 visas.

Which is better, EB2 or EB3? It depends on your qualifications and country of birth. If you meet the stricter EB2 requirements, it’s often the better choice due to shorter backlogs. However, EB3 is more accessible for those with less advanced qualifications, though wait times may be longer. Consult an immigration attorney to determine the best path for your situation.

Choosing between the EB2 and EB3 visas can significantly impact your green card timeline and eligibility. If you’re unsure which path to take, our experienced immigration attorneys are here to help. Schedule a free consultation today to discuss your options.

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.