5 Signs an EB‑3 Opportunity Is Legit (and Not a Scam)

For many Nigerians, relocating to the United States is about far more than travel. It is about long‑term security, better income, quality education for children, and a stable environment to build wealth. The EB‑3 employment‑based immigrant visa has become one of the most realistic ways to achieve this dream legally.

But where there is demand, scams appear.

Across Nigeria, “work abroad” agents promise U.S. jobs and green cards with unbelievable speed and minimal paperwork. Some ask for millions of naira upfront, only to disappear. Others push clients into risky or illegal routes that can permanently damage their immigration record.

This blog post is a practical, data‑driven guide to help you separate real EB‑3 opportunities from scams—so you can pursue your relocation plans with confidence.

Why Nigerians Are Targeted by Immigration Scams

To understand why caution is necessary, it helps to look at the bigger picture.

1. High desire to migrate

A 2023 Afrobarometer survey found that about 52% of Nigerians would like to leave the country if given the chance, one of the highest rates in Africa. Young professionals, in particular, are actively searching for international opportunities due to unemployment, insecurity, and limited career growth.

2. Limited knowledge of U.S. immigration law

U.S. immigration rules are complex. Many people are not familiar with visa categories (like H‑1B, F‑1, EB‑3, or DV lottery) or the difference between a work visa and a green card. This knowledge gap makes it easier for fake agents to sell “shortcuts.”

3. International statistics on visa fraud

The U.S. Department of State and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regularly warn against fraudulent job offers and visa agents worldwide.  According to a 2022 report from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the U.S., immigration‑related services are among the top categories for consumer fraud, with victims losing tens of millions of dollars every year.

When you combine high migration demand with low regulatory oversight of local “agents,” you have a perfect environment for scams. The solution is not to abandon your dream—but to learn how to spot what is real.

A Quick Overview of the EB‑3 Program

Before identifying real vs fake offers, you need to know what a genuine EB‑3 pathway looks like.

The EB‑3 visa is an employment‑based immigrant category that leads to a U.S. green card (permanent residency). It is designed for three groups:

• Skilled workers – at least 2 years of training or work experience.

• Professionals – jobs that require at least a U.S. bachelor’s degree or foreign equivalent.

• Other workers (unskilled) – jobs requiring less than 2 years of training or experience.

Key points about EB‑3:

• It is employer‑sponsored. A U.S. employer must offer you a permanent, full‑time position and agree to sponsor you.

• It involves a multi‑step legal process with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and USCIS.

• It can include your spouse and unmarried children under 21 as dependents.

• Once approved and you receive your immigrant visa, you enter the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident.

Because it leads directly to a green card, scammers love to attach “EB‑3” to their fake offers. That is why the following five signs are so critical.

1. A Legit EB‑3 Opportunity Is Tied to a Verifiable U.S. Employer

The foundation of every real EB‑3 case is a specific job with a real company in the United States.

What legitimacy looks like

A genuine EB‑3 opportunity provides:

• The full legal name of the U.S. employer

• The job title, duties, and work location

• A verifiable company website and contact information

• A written job offer or clear position description

You—or your advisory firm—should be able to:

• Look up the company on U.S. business registries or state databases

• Confirm the business address on Google Maps or through independent searches

• See that the company’s industry matches the job being offered

For example, if someone claims you will work as a “food processing worker” in Texas, the sponsor should be an actual food production or logistics company operating in that region—not a random name with no online presence.

Red flags to watch for

• The agent refuses to reveal the employer until you pay a large fee.

• The company name constantly changes, or the description is vague: “a big U.S. company,” “a major employer,” etc.

• The job details sound unrealistic, such as “no experience required, work from home, earn $6,000/month” in EB‑3.

• The advertised role looks more like a remote online job than a physical, full‑time role in the U.S.

According to USCIS, every employment‑based green card requires a job offer and an employer willing to go through the legal sponsorship process. If you can’t clearly identify that employer, the opportunity is not trustworthy.

2. A Legit EB‑3 Case Follows the Official U.S. Process (PERM → I‑140 → Visa/Adjustment)

The second sign of legitimacy is whether the provider explains—and actually follows—the real legal steps for EB‑3.

The official EB‑3 process in simple terms

A genuine EB‑3 process normally includes:

• PERM Labor Certification (Department of Labor)

  • The employer tests the U.S. labor market by advertising the job.

  • They must prove there are no available, qualified U.S. workers willing to take the role at the prevailing wage.

  • The DOL reviews and, if satisfied, certifies the application.
    

• Form I‑140 – Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker (USCIS)

  • The employer files an I‑140 petition on your behalf.

  • USCIS reviews your qualifications, the job, and the employer’s ability to pay the offered wage.
    

• Consular Processing or Adjustment of Status

  • If you are outside the U.S., you attend a visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate (for Nigerians, usually the U.S. Consulate in Lagos or Embassy in Abuja).

  • Once your immigrant visa is issued and you enter the U.S., you become a lawful permanent resident (green card holder).

From recent government data:

• The U.S. Department of Labor certified over 140,000 PERM applications in FY 2023 across all EB categories.

• EB‑3 is consistently one of the most used employment‑based categories, reflecting strong employer demand for both skilled and certain lower‑skilled roles.

What scammers do instead

Fake agents often:

• Promise a “direct green card” or “express work permit” without mentioning PERM or I‑140.

• Tell you that you can enter on a tourist (B‑1/B‑2) or student visa and just “convert later” to EB‑3 without a real employer.

• Offer fake offer letters not backed by any real labor certification or USCIS petition.

• Say they will “handle everything with immigration” but refuse to give case numbers, petition receipts, or copies of filed forms.

If the person selling you an EB‑3 opportunity cannot explain these steps—or actively tells you they are “not necessary”—they are not dealing with a legal process.

3. Legitimate Providers Give You Written Contracts, Clear Fees, and No Guaranteed Approvals

Money is one of the fastest ways to tell a legitimate opportunity from a fraud.

What a transparent, ethical fee structure looks like

A reputable firm:

• Provides a written service agreement or contract that:

  • Lists all professional fees and estimated government filing fees

  • Explains what services are included (e.g., case assessment, document preparation, communication with employer, coordination with immigration counsel)

  • States refund or non‑refund conditions in clear language

• Issues receipts for every payment

• Allows you time to review the contract and ask questions before paying

The U.S. government does charge its own fees. For example (as of 2024; these can change):

• USCIS filing fee for Form I‑140 – several hundred dollars

• Immigrant visa processing fee (Department of State) – several hundred dollars per applicant

• Other costs: medical exams, translations, travel, etc.

Private service providers charge additional professional fees for coordinating the process, working with employers, documentation, and ongoing support. These fees can be substantial because the process is long and complex—but they must be transparent.

Why “guaranteed approval” is a lie

No matter how experienced a law firm or advisory company is, no one can guarantee that the U.S. government will approve an immigration case. Many factors—background checks, medical issues, security screenings, or errors in documentation—are beyond the provider’s control.

When you hear phrases like:

• “100% visa guaranteed”

• “Pay 10 million now, green card assured”

• “No interview, no questions”

You are not dealing with a compliant business.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has repeatedly warned that “guarantees” are a classic sign of immigration fraud. Genuine professionals promise you a fair, diligent process—not a guaranteed result.

Red‑flag payment practices

• Being asked to pay entirely in cash, with no receipt.

• All fees demanded upfront, with no milestones.

• No documentation showing where your money goes (which part is government fee, which part is professional fee, which part relates to the employer, etc.).

• Random “extra” payments requested later, without explanation.

4. Genuine EB‑3 Opportunities Come Through Registered, Traceable Organizations—Not Anonymous Agents

Another key sign of legitimacy is who you are dealing with.

What a credible advisory firm or partner looks like

A trustworthy EB‑3 advisory firm, like InvestMigrate, will have:

• Registered Business Status

  • Official registration in its operating country (e.g., CAC registration in Nigeria)

  • Clear physical office addresses, phone numbers, and email

• Online Presence and Track Record

  • A professional website with detailed program information

  • Verifiable client testimonials or case studies (while protecting client privacy)

  • Consistent branding and communication across platforms (website, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, etc.)

• Partnership with Qualified U.S. Immigration Counsel

  • They either have in‑house licensed immigration attorneys or work closely with U.S. lawyers.

  • They can state clearly which law firms or attorneys manage the legal filings.

• History and Experience

  • Years in operation (InvestMigrate, for example, has been active since 2017).

  • A clear explanation of how many families or professionals they have assisted.

Why anonymous or “street” agents are risky

Many scams begin with:

• A WhatsApp broadcast or Facebook post from an individual with no office, only a phone number.

• A small shop or kiosk that claims to handle “travel, recruitment, and visas” all together.

• Unregistered people posing as “commission agents” of foreign firms they cannot properly identify.

These individuals may:

• Disappear once you pay.

• Make promises that no real immigration lawyer would make.

• Use forged documents or fake appointment letters that collapse at the embassy interview stage.

Always ask:

• “Who exactly is the company handling my case?”

• “Where is your office?”

• “Can I see your registration documents or meet a senior representative?”

• “Who is the U.S. law firm or attorney working on my file?”

If the answers are vague, walk away.

5. Real EB‑3 Pathways Emphasize Long‑Term Stability, Not Quick Shortcuts

The fifth sign is perhaps the most important: tone and expectations.

The reality of EB‑3 timelines and requirements

U.S. government data and law firm reports show that:

• The PERM process alone can take 6–12 months or more, depending on processing times and audits.

• The I‑140 stage may take several more months, though premium processing can speed this up in some cases.

• After that, you must wait for a visa number to become available in your category and country (based on the Visa Bulletin). For many Nigerian applicants in EB‑3, the wait has often been relatively manageable compared to some oversubscribed countries, but it still takes time.

Real providers are honest about:

• Timelines that may stretch into years, not weeks.

• The need for medical exams, background checks, and consular interviews.

• The fact that you will need to move your family, adjust to a new culture, and work full‑time in the U.S. job offered.

How scammers sell the dream

Fraudulent agents tend to:

• Promise unrealistically short timelines, such as “Get your green card in 6 months” regardless of global backlogs.

• Describe EB‑3 as a temporary work permit, not a permanent, full‑time job with responsibilities.

• Focus heavily on luxury lifestyle images—big houses, fancy cars—rather than the reality of starting again in a new country.

• Downplay or ignore the legal obligations on both the employer and the worker.

Legitimate immigration is about stability and structure, not overnight miracles.

Practical Checklist: Is This EB‑3 Opportunity Legit?

Before you commit to any EB‑3 program, run it through this quick checklist:

• Employer Verification

  • Do you know the exact name and location of the U.S. employer?

  • Can you verify that the company exists and operates in the industry described?

• Process Clarity

  • Has someone clearly explained PERM, I‑140, and consular processing?

  • Have they told you approximately how long each stage might take?

• Documentation

  • Have you received a written service agreement, not just verbal assurances?

  • Are job details, responsibilities, and conditions written down?

• Fees and Guarantees

  • Do you know exactly how much you are paying, to whom, and for what?

  • Has anyone “guaranteed” approval or offered to bypass normal procedures?

• Provider Credibility

  • Is the advisory firm or agency officially registered and easy to research online?

  • Do they work with named, licensed U.S. immigration lawyers?

If several answers are “No” or you feel rushed to pay, treat it as a warning sign.

How InvestMigrate Helps Nigerians Pursue EB‑3 Safely

InvestMigrate was founded with a single mission: to protect families from unsafe migration practices and guide them through ethical, structured pathways to the United States.

For Nigerian professionals and families, we focus on the EB‑3 employment‑based route because it is:

• Legal and regulated

• Family‑friendly (spouse and children can obtain permanent residency)

• Designed for both skilled and certain semi‑skilled roles, making it more accessible than many other categories

Our approach is built on:

• Compliance and transparency – We explain every step, share realistic timelines, and separate government fees from service fees.

• Verified partners and employers – We work only with legitimate U.S. employers and qualified immigration counsel.

• Financial and legal protection structures – Clear agreements, documented processes, and ethical handling of funds.

Over more than a decade, this structure has helped many families relocate without relying on risky shortcuts or unregulated brokers.

Protect Your Dream, Don’t Rush It

The desire to leave difficult conditions in Nigeria is understandable. Economic data, unemployment rates, and security concerns all show why so many people are looking outward. But desperation is exactly what scammers exploit.

A legitimate EB‑3 opportunity:

• Is tied to a real, verifiable U.S. employer.

• Follows the official PERM → I‑140 → visa/green card process.

• Provides written contracts, transparent fees, and no false guarantees.

• Comes through registered, traceable organizations with a track record.

• Emphasizes long‑term stability and realistic timelines, not instant miracles.

If what you are being offered doesn’t meet these standards, pause. Ask questions. Seek a second opinion from a reputable firm or lawyer. Your future—and your family’s future—is too important to gamble on an informal WhatsApp promise.

Ready to Explore a Structured, Legal EB‑3 Pathway?

If you are a Nigerian professional, skilled worker, or family looking for a secure route to U.S. permanent residency, you can learn more about InvestMigrate’s EB‑3 program and submit your details for a consultation.

Sign up in the lead form. 

Taking 10 minutes to verify an opportunity today can save you years of regret and financial loss tomorrow. Choose structure over shortcuts, and give your family the stability they deserve.