Key EB-3 Visa Jobs for Unskilled Workers in 2026
You can find many job opportunities under the EB-3 visa for unskilled workers in 2026. These roles often require less than two years of training and give you a chance to apply for an EB-3 green card.
The jobs span different industries and offer full-time employment with sponsorship.
Hospitality and Restaurant Openings
Jobs in hospitality and restaurants are among the most common EB-3 visa options. You could work as a crew member in fast-food chains like McDonald’s or Bojangles.
These roles include taking orders, preparing food, cleaning, and customer service. Salaries for these jobs usually range from $12 per hour to about $29,000 per year.
Locations commonly hiring include Georgia, Ohio, Alabama, and Alaska. The recruitment for some positions opens in mid-2025 for the 2026 intake.
Employers will sponsor your EB-3 green card after you get a formal job offer.
Manufacturing and Warehouse Positions
In manufacturing and warehouse work, you might assemble parts or sort goods. These jobs often require simple, repetitive tasks and physical work, such as lifting and organizing materials.
You may find positions in states like Minnesota or Colorado. Some jobs pay between $30,000 and $45,000 per year.
For the EB-3 visa, employers must show they cannot fill these roles locally and will sponsor your green card application once hired.
Agriculture and Farm Roles
Agriculture and farm jobs under the EB-3 visa typically involve planting, harvesting, and tending to crops or livestock. You should be prepared for outdoor work in different weather conditions and physical labor.
These roles might be seasonal or year-round. You can expect a salary close to $25,000 per year or more depending on the farm and location.
Employers will handle your green card sponsorship after successful recruitment through the official labor certification process.
Healthcare Support and Caregiver Positions
You can apply for unskilled healthcare support jobs like nurse assistants or caregivers. These roles include helping patients with daily tasks such as bathing, feeding, and moving around.
You will need either a certification or the ability to get one, depending on state rules. Salaries are higher here, around $40,000 per year in some cases.
These positions allow sponsorship for an EB-3 green card once all immigration fees and paperwork are processed.
Eligibility and Application Criteria
You must meet specific requirements to qualify for the EB-3 visa as an unskilled worker. These include having a valid job offer from a U.S. employer, proper employer sponsorship, and meeting the minimum qualifications for the position.
The process involves several official certifications and strict steps.
Job Offer and Position Requirements
Your job must be a permanent, full-time position in the U.S. It should fit into the “other worker” category, which means unskilled labor requiring less than two years of training or experience.
The employer needs to get a PERM Labor Certification from the U.S. Department of Labor. This certification proves no qualified U.S. workers are available for the job.
The job duties usually involve simple tasks such as cleaning, food preparation, or manual labor. Your salary must meet or exceed the prevailing wage for the role and location, as set by the Department of Labor.
Employer Participation and Obligations
Your prospective employer must fully support your visa process. They are responsible for applying for the PERM Labor Certification, which involves recruitment efforts to test the U.S. labor market.
The employer must prove they have tried and failed to hire qualified U.S. workers. This includes placing job ads and interviewing candidates.
They must also provide you with a formal, signed job offer letter. This letter confirms the job’s details, salary, and location.
Once approved, the employer works with an immigration attorney to file your EB-3 petition with USCIS. You typically cover related legal and filing fees.
Applicant Qualifications and Capabilities
To qualify, you do not need formal education or specialized skills but must show you can perform the job duties. You should have less than two years of work experience or training related to the position.
Experience must be verifiable. You must be legally admissible to the U.S., which means you need to pass background, health, and security checks.
You cannot apply without a valid, permanent job offer. You will also need to complete the necessary forms and attend an interview.
The entire process may take around 36 months or longer, so patience and preparation are essential.
Step-By-Step EB-3 Application Process
You need to follow a clear sequence to apply for the EB-3 visa as an unskilled worker. This involves getting a job offer, going through labor certification, filing important immigration forms, and attending the visa interview.
Each step requires attention to detail and timely action.
Securing a Job Offer and Sponsorship
Your first step is to find a U.S. employer willing to sponsor you. The employer must offer a permanent, full-time job that fits the unskilled worker category, which usually means less than two years of training or experience.
The employer agrees to sponsor you through the EB-3 process. Without this offer and sponsorship, you cannot proceed with the visa application.
Make sure the job offer meets U.S. Department of Labor wage standards for your position. This shows you will be paid a fair wage and protects U.S. workers.
PERM Labor Certification Procedures
The employer must file for PERM labor certification before you can apply for the visa. This process proves that no qualified U.S. workers are available for the job.
The employer must advertise the position publicly and show efforts to hire U.S. workers first. The U.S. Department of Labor reviews the employer’s recruitment steps and prevailing wage determination.
If everything meets the rules, the PERM certification is approved. PERM approval is required before the next step.
Filing Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition)
Once PERM is approved, the employer files Form I-140 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to sponsor you for permanent residency. This petition must prove the employer’s ability to pay the offered wage and that you meet the job qualifications.
USCIS reviews the petition for consistency with the PERM certification and checks all documents carefully. You may request premium processing to speed up the petition, which can reduce processing time to around 15 days.
Approval of Form I-140 moves your case closer to the visa interview stage.
Visa Interview and Medical Examination
After I-140 approval and when your priority date becomes current, you apply for the EB-3 visa at a U.S. consulate or, if eligible, file for adjustment of status in the U.S.
You must complete a medical exam by an authorized physician before the interview. At the visa interview, a consular officer reviews your documents and asks questions about your job and background.
Passing the interview and medical exam is essential to receive the EB-3 visa and enter the U.S. as a permanent resident.
Cost Breakdown and Fees for EB-3 Unskilled Worker Applicants
You should expect costs in three main areas: fees to agencies and lawyers, government filing charges, and extra expenses like medical exams and travel.
Each of these plays an important role in the total amount you will need to budget for your EB-3 visa application.
Agency and Legal Service Fees
Many unskilled worker applicants use recruiters or agencies to find jobs and manage paperwork. These agencies often charge between $5,000 and $20,000 depending on the level of service, such as full application support or just job matching.
Legal fees for immigration attorneys can also vary. You might pay anywhere from $8,000 to $20,000 or more.
Attorneys help file forms like the I-140 petition and guide you through visa requirements. Always check if the agency or employer covers the PERM Labor Certification fees, which they usually do.
Request a clear, itemized list of what you are paying for before you commit.
USCIS and Embassy Filing Costs
The U.S. government requires several filing fees. The I-140 Petition fee alone is about $1,315.
If you apply inside the U.S., the Adjustment of Status fee is around $1,225 per person. Applying through consular processing abroad costs about $345.
Once approved, you must pay a USCIS Immigrant Fee of $220 for green card issuance. These fees add up quickly, especially if you include charges for your spouse and children.
Medical, Travel, and Dependent Expenses
You will need to complete a medical exam before your visa interview. This exam typically costs between $200 and $500, depending on location.
Travel expenses can include getting to and from the U.S. embassy or consulate, possibly multiple times, plus any necessary lodging during your visa interview process.
If you bring family members, each must pay separate fees for medical exams, interviews, and filing. Remember to budget extra for passport renewals, translations, or moving costs once your visa is approved.
These can add to your expenses beyond official fees.
Processing Times and Wait Periods
The EB-3 unskilled visa process involves several steps, each with its own timeframe. These times depend on factors like your country of origin and the workload of government agencies.
Understanding these timeframes can help you plan your application better.
Expected Timelines for 2026 Intake
For the 2026 intake, the PERM labor certification typically takes about 6 to 12 months. This is the first required step where your employer must prove no qualified U.S. workers are available for the job.
After PERM approval, Form I-140 processing usually takes 4 to 9 months. You can pay for premium processing to reduce this to about 15 days if you need faster results.
You may face a waiting period for your visa number availability, which can vary widely based on your country. For many applicants, the total process ranges from 2 to 5 years.
Priority Date Backlogs and Updates
Your priority date is key to moving forward in the EB-3 process. It is the date when your PERM application is filed and determines your place in line for visa approval.
Most countries now share similar cutoff dates, which simplifies tracking your priority date. However, applicants from high-demand countries like India or China often face longer waits.
You can monitor the Visa Bulletin monthly to see if your priority date is current. When your date is before the cutoff, you can proceed with visa processing or adjustment of status.
Benefits of the EB-3 Unskilled Worker Visa
This visa offers you a stable way to live and work in the U.S. You gain access to permanent residence, can bring close family members, and have chances to build a long-term career and settle down.
Pathway to Permanent Residence
With the EB-3 visa, you can apply for a Green Card, which grants you permanent residence in the U.S. This means you can live and work without time limits.
After meeting residency requirements, you may also apply for citizenship. The process starts with a job offer from a U.S. employer willing to sponsor you.
Once your visa is approved, you can adjust your status to permanent resident. Permanent residence also gives you access to many social benefits, including healthcare and education.
Having an EB-3 Green Card allows you to plan your future in the U.S. with more certainty.
Opportunities for Family Members
Your spouse and children under 21 can come with you to the U.S. as your dependents. They receive the same permanent residence status, allowing them to live, study, and work legally.
This family sponsorship helps you keep your family together while you settle in the country. It creates a more stable and supportive home environment.
Your family members also gain access to public services like schooling and healthcare. This can improve their quality of life and open new opportunities, especially for children’s education.
Long-Term Career and Settlement Options
The EB-3 visa opens doors to steady employment in sectors such as agriculture, hospitality, and healthcare support. These industries often face worker shortages, which can result in longer-term job security for you.
While the jobs are considered unskilled, you can still receive training on the job to develop new skills. This can help you advance your career or find better opportunities over time.
With permanent residence, you have the freedom to live anywhere in the U.S. and pursue various career paths. You can also eventually apply for citizenship, which offers further rights and benefits beyond the Green Card.
Important Considerations and Challenges
Applying for the EB-3 visa as an unskilled worker involves long wait times and strict rules you must follow throughout the process. Understanding these issues will help you prepare better and avoid common pitfalls.
Demand and Delays for Unskilled Worker Visas
The EB-3 visa category for unskilled workers is limited to 10,000 visas per year. Many applicants from countries like India, China, and Mexico compete for these spots, creating a backlog.
You can expect wait times of 10 years or more in some cases. This delay happens because of high demand and a strict per-country cap that limits the visas each country can receive annually.
Processing steps such as PERM labor certification, filing Form I-140, and adjusting status take time.
| Step | Time Estimate |
|---|---|
| PERM Labor Certification | Several months to 1 year |
| I-140 Processing | About 7.6 months |
| Total Processing Time | 24–36 months or longer |
Using premium processing for the I-140 form is an option but adds extra cost ($2,805) and does not affect overall visa availability.
Maintaining Eligibility During the Process
You must keep your job offer and meet all eligibility criteria while you wait. The employer must offer a permanent, full-time job that matches the unskilled category requirements.
You also need to complete medical exams. Submit documentation like passports and proof of job qualifications.
If your status changes or the job offer ends, you risk denial of your application. You need to keep valid temporary status in the U.S. during processing if you apply from inside the country.
Employers must show that no qualified U.S. workers are available for your role. They must follow strict recruitment rules.