Can Every Nigerian Qualify for the EB‑3 Visa? Here’s Why Eligibility Is Carefully Reviewed

If you spend any time on Nigerian social media, you’ll see endless ads for “work abroad,” “visa sponsorship,” and “green cards.” Some make it sound as if all you need is money and a passport; others warn that only doctors and IT experts have any chance.

Between these extremes, one question keeps coming up:

“Can every Nigerian qualify for the EB‑3 visa?”

The honest answer is no—and that is a good thing.

EB‑3 is a powerful, family‑friendly route to U.S. permanent residency. Because of that, it is tightly regulated. Not everyone will qualify, and not every applicant should even try right now. But many more people qualify than they realise, especially if they understand what the rules actually say.

This article breaks down how EB‑3 eligibility works, why reputable firms like InvestMigrate carefully review every case, and what you can do to know where you stand.

What Is the EB‑3 Visa, Really?

EB‑3 is an employment‑based immigrant visa. “E” means employment‑based; “B‑3” is the third preference level. Unlike temporary work visas or visitor visas, EB‑3 leads directly to a U.S. green card for the main worker and eligible family members (spouse and unmarried children under 21).

EB‑3 covers three sub‑categories:

• Professionals – Jobs that normally require a bachelor’s degree or foreign equivalent.

• Skilled Workers – Jobs requiring at least 2 years of training or work experience.

• Other Workers (Unskilled) – Jobs requiring less than 2 years’ training or experience, but still permanent and full‑time.

In all three cases, EB‑3 is job‑driven, not “agent‑driven”:

• A U.S. employer must have a genuine vacancy.

• They must try to recruit locally and prove there are not enough willing, qualified U.S. workers.

• They then apply to sponsor a foreign worker—possibly you—through a regulated process.

So, you do not “qualify” in the abstract. You qualify for a specific job, in a specific category, under specific rules.

Basic Pillars of EB‑3 Eligibility

To understand who can and cannot qualify, think of EB‑3 as sitting on four pillars:

• A Real Job Offer From a U.S. Employer

• Matching Skills/Education/Experience

• Clean Enough Background and Medical History

• Truthful, Consistent Documentation

If any of these pillars is missing or badly damaged, eligibility collapses.

Real Job Offer

Without a real U.S. employer, there is no EB‑3 case. The entire category exists to fill labour shortages in America. Fake job offers, paper companies, or mysterious “connections” are red flags for fraud.

Legitimate EB‑3 employers:

• Have a verifiable business address and operations.

• Pay at least the prevailing wage for the role.

• Work with regulated immigration counsel.

Reputable advisory firms like InvestMigrate do not fabricate job offers. They partner with vetted employers who have ongoing demand.

Matching the Job Requirements

This is where your personal profile comes in.

• If the job is classified as Professional, you must normally hold a bachelor’s degree (or evaluated foreign equivalent) in a related field.

• If it’s Skilled, you need 2+ years of relevant experience or training.

• If it’s Other Worker, you may not need formal qualifications, but you must be capable of doing the work and willing to commit to a permanent, full‑time role.

A Nigerian with:

• BSc in Accounting + 3 years’ experience may qualify for a professional accounting role.

• HND in Mechanical Engineering + 4 years as a technician may qualify for a skilled worker role.

• WAEC + 1 year in hospitality may be matched to some other worker (unskilled) roles.

The key is fit. Agents who promise EB‑3 to everyone, regardless of background, are ignoring this reality.

Background and Medical Checks

All immigrants must pass:

• Security and background checks (criminal history, immigration violations, etc.).

• Medical examinations to screen for certain communicable diseases and conditions.

Having minor traffic issues or a small police matter does not automatically kill a case, but serious criminal history, fraud, or security concerns can. Each situation must be assessed carefully and honestly.

Documentation and Truthfulness

Even strong candidates can fail if their documents are:

• Fake

• Inconsistent

• Contradictory across different forms

  
  

The U.S. system takes misrepresentation very seriously. Being caught using fake documentation or lying in an interview can lead to permanent bans.

For this reason, InvestMigrate and its partner law firms would rather reject an application than build a case on shaky documents.

Why Reputable Firms Don’t Accept Everyone

Some Nigerians get offended when a firm says, “Based on our assessment, we cannot proceed with your EB‑3 case right now.”

But this is exactly what you should want from a serious advisor.

Protecting You From Wasted Effort and Money

EB‑3 is long and expensive. If your chances are extremely low due to:

• Major criminal issues

• Unresolvable documentation problems

• Complete mismatch between your background and available jobs

then paying to start a case is simply throwing money and time away.

An honest firm will explain:

• Where the obstacles are

• Whether any can be fixed

• If another route (student visa, different work category, or long‑term planning) might be more suitable

Protecting Their Licence and Reputation

InvestMigrate works with regulated immigration professionals whose licences depend on compliance with U.S. law. Submitting obviously ineligible or fraudulent cases can attract penalties.

Therefore, thorough screening is a matter of survival for serious firms. If someone tells you, “We accept anybody; just bring your money,” they are either:

• Not actually doing EB‑3, or

• Planning to file weak cases and disappear when things go wrong.

Who Commonly Qualifies—and Who Commonly Doesn’t?

While every case is unique, experience shows some patterns.

Profiles That Often Qualify

• Working professionals in accounting, engineering, IT, education, or management with stable work histories and degrees.

• Skilled technicians: welders, electricians, mechanics, machine operators, logistics supervisors, hospitality supervisors, healthcare aides, etc., with 2+ years’ experience.

• Motivated “other workers” with at least a secondary school education and real experience in physically demanding or service roles, who are ready to work hard.

Key strengths:

• Clean or manageable background

• Verifiable documents

• Realistic expectations about job type and timeline

Profiles That Often Struggle

• Individuals with recent serious criminal convictions that raise security or moral concerns.

• People relying entirely on fake degrees, fake work history, or forged documents.

• Applicants who refuse to consider any job outside office‑type roles, yet do not have qualifications for professional categories.

• Those who expect a six‑month guaranteed green card, insist on shortcuts, or resist honest timeline discussions.

Not qualifying today does not mean never. But it does mean you need a clear plan instead of denial.

Why Money Alone Cannot Buy EB‑3 Eligibility

In the Nigerian context, many systems sadly bend when enough cash is offered. This fuels the belief that if you can pay millions of naira, you can buy a visa.

But EB‑3 is anchored in foreign law and institutions:

• U.S. employers face heavy penalties for immigration fraud.

• U.S. lawyers must follow professional ethics.

• Government officers have independent systems and cross‑checks.

Throwing more money at a fundamentally weak case only enriches dishonest middlemen. It will not change:

• Your lack of experience for a skilled job

• Your inability to document a degree you never earned

• A serious criminal conviction

In fact, the more you try to use money to bend the system, the more likely you are to end up with bans and blacklists.

How Eligibility Assessments Actually Work

When InvestMigrate assesses your profile for EB‑3, they typically look at:

• Personal Information – age, marital status, number of children, country of citizenship (Nigeria), previous travel history.

• Education – highest qualification, field of study, awarding institution, possible credential evaluation outcome.

• Work Experience – job titles, duties, years in each role, industries, full‑time vs part‑time.

• Language Ability – practical English skills, especially for safety‑sensitive or customer‑facing roles.

• Background Concerns – any criminal history, immigration violations, or complex marital situations.

• Document Availability – can you obtain the required certificates, transcripts, letters, and ID documents?

The goal is not to judge you. It is to answer:

“Is it realistic, legal, and ethical to build an EB‑3 case for this person?”

Sometimes the answer is yes immediately. Sometimes it is “not yet, but here is what you can work on.” Sometimes, unfortunately, it is no, and another strategy must be considered.

What If You Don’t Currently Qualify?

Hearing “no” is never pleasant. But an honest “no” is more valuable than a sweet lie that leads nowhere.

If a proper assessment shows you are not a viable EB‑3 candidate right now, you can still move forward in other ways:

Strengthen Your Profile

• Gain more experience in relevant roles.

• Pursue vocational training or certifications that match in‑demand EB‑3 jobs.

• Fix documentation issues (correct names, obtain official certificates, clear tax or employment records).

A year or two of focused improvement can transform a weak profile into a strong one.

Explore Alternative Routes

Depending on your goals and resources, options might include:

• Study routes (U.S., Canada, U.K., etc.) leading to post‑study work.

• Other work visas where you meet eligibility better.

• Longer‑term family sponsorship if you have relatives who are citizens or permanent residents abroad.

The key is to choose a path that is legal, structured, and honest about requirements.

Why “Maybe” Is Better Than “Guaranteed”

If any provider tells you:

• “100% guaranteed EB‑3 approval”

• “Everyone qualifies—no worries”

• “We bypass normal U.S. processes”

you should walk away.

Real immigration professionals speak in terms like:

• “Based on current law and your documents, you appear eligible, but final decisions rest with U.S. authorities.”

• “We believe your chances are strong, provided everything you’ve told us is accurate and we follow the proper steps.”

That nuance may sound less exciting than “guaranteed,” but it is exactly what honesty sounds like in this field.

How to Protect Yourself When Checking Eligibility

• Insist on an assessment before paying large fees.If a firm takes your money without asking detailed questions about your background, be concerned.

• Be completely truthful.Hiding criminal history, overstays, or previous visa refusals only delays the problem. Many issues can be worked around if disclosed early; they become deadly if discovered later.

• Ask questions.

  • Which EB‑3 subcategory do you think I fit—Professional, Skilled, or Other Worker?

  • How does my education and experience match the roles you work with?

  • What are the main risks or weak points in my case?

• Verify the company.Check registration, online presence, reviews, and, where possible, the identity of U.S. lawyers or partners involved.

• Compare information with official sources.USCIS and the U.S. Department of State websites provide basic EB‑3 descriptions. Your advisor’s explanations should broadly match them.

Where InvestMigrate Fits In

InvestMigrate’s mission is to protect families from unsafe migration practices and guide them towards ethical, structured pathways to the United States—especially through EB‑3.

That mission means:

• We do not promise EB‑3 to everyone.

• We conduct thorough screening before taking on a case.

• We work only with legitimate U.S. employers and regulated legal partners.

• We prioritise clarity and compliance over speed and sales.

If we believe EB‑3 is a realistic option for you, we will explain why, outline timelines, and support you through each step. If not, we will tell you honestly and—where possible—offer guidance on what to improve or consider instead.

Final Thoughts: You Deserve the Truth About Your Chances

So, can every Nigerian qualify for the EB‑3 visa?

No.But many Nigerians do qualify—more than the rumours suggest—provided they:

• Have or can be matched with a genuine U.S. job.

• Meet the related education/experience level.

• Pass security and medical checks.

• Provide honest, consistent documentation.

Whether you belong in this group cannot be answered by a random WhatsApp broadcast or a roadside “agent.” It requires a careful, professional review of your unique situation.

If you are ready to move beyond rumours and get a clear picture of your EB‑3 eligibility, you can start with a structured assessment:

Sign up in the lead form.

You may hear “yes,” “no,” or “not yet”—but you will hear the truth. And when it comes to your future and your family’s future, nothing is more valuable than that.