No $800,000 for EB-5? How the EB-3 Visa Offers Another Route to a US Green Card
Last updated: October 15, 2026
No $800,000 for EB-5? The EB-3 visa is another route to a US Green Card that requires no investment. Instead, a US employer sponsors you for a full-time, permanent job. The trade-off is clear: you must relocate and work in the sponsored role, and waiting times depend on your country of birth and the monthly Visa Bulletin.
This guide is for people who looked into EB-5 and found the minimum investment out of reach. It compares EB-5 vs EB-3, walks through the EB-3 process step by step with current time ranges, and explains what the October 2026 Visa Bulletin means for applicants from India, the rest of South Asia and the Middle East.
Key Takeaways
EB-5 requires $800,000 (TEA or infrastructure) or $1,050,000, held at risk. EB-3 requires no investment.
EB-3 needs a full-time, permanent job offer from a US employer, and you relocate to work in that role.
The main stages are PERM labor certification, Form I-140, then consular processing or adjustment of status.
The October 2026 Visa Bulletin moved the EB-3 Rest of World final action date back to May 15, 2024.
Born in India? The EB-3 final action date for India is January 1, 2014, a backlog of more than 12 years. Check your country of birth before planning around EB-3.
Both routes can include a spouse and unmarried children under 21, if applicable, and both can lead to citizenship eligibility after 5 years as a permanent resident.
Neither route guarantees a job, approval or a fixed timeline.
EB-5 vs EB-3: What Is the Difference?
EB-5 and EB-3 both lead to US permanent residence, but they work in opposite ways. EB-5 is investor-driven and needs no employer. EB-3 is employer-driven and needs no investment.
Factor | EB-5 Immigrant Investor | EB-3 Employment-Based |
Minimum investment | $800,000 (TEA or infrastructure) or $1,050,000; inflation adjustment due from January 1, 2027 | None |
Job required? | No | Yes: full-time, permanent US job offer |
Who files the first petition? | The investor (Form I-526E or I-526) | The employer (PERM, then Form I-140) |
Where you live and work | Anywhere in the US | You relocate and work in the sponsored role |
Main financial risk | Investment capital is at risk | No investment; you depend on the job and employer |
Family coverage | Spouse and unmarried children under 21 | Spouse and unmarried children under 21 |
Green Card type | Conditional (2 years), then permanent after Form I-829 | Permanent from the start |
October 2026 Visa Bulletin (Rest of World) | Current in all EB-5 categories | Final action date May 15, 2024 (Other Workers: January 1, 2022) |
Citizenship eligibility | Generally 5 years after becoming a permanent resident | Generally 5 years after becoming a permanent resident |
In short: EB-5 swaps money for flexibility; EB-3 swaps time and work commitment for a route that needs no investment.
Who Can Apply for the EB-3 Visa?
The EB-3 category, administered by USCIS, has three subgroups:
Skilled workers: jobs that require at least 2 years of training or experience.
Professionals: jobs that require a US bachelor's degree or a foreign equivalent.
Other workers: jobs that require less than 2 years of training or experience.
InvestMigrate works with employers in logistics, advanced manufacturing and quality control. Many of these roles fall under the "other workers" subgroup, so a degree is often not required. Eligibility depends on individual circumstances and the specific job.
In short: EB-3 is open to degree holders, experienced workers and entry-level workers, as long as a US employer offers a qualifying permanent job.
How Does the EB-3 Process Work, Step by Step?
Here are the main EB-3 stages, with time ranges currently reported by official sources. Ranges vary by case.
Job offer and prevailing wage: the employer requests a prevailing wage determination from the US Department of Labor (DOL). As of September 30, 2026, DOL was processing requests filed in June 2026, so roughly 4 months.
Recruitment and PERM filing: the employer tests the US labor market, then files the PERM application (Form ETA-9089). The filing date becomes your "priority date."
PERM review: per DOL's FLAG processing times (as of October 5, 2026), analyst review averages about 336 days. Taken together, the PERM stage now often takes more than a year.
Form I-140: the employer files the immigrant petition with USCIS. With premium processing, USCIS commits to act within 15 business days.
Wait for your priority date: you can move forward only when your priority date is current in the monthly Visa Bulletin for your country of birth.
Consular processing or adjustment of status: most applicants abroad complete the DS-260 through the National Visa Center and attend an interview at a US embassy. If you are already in the US in valid status, you may be able to file Form I-485 instead.
Relocation and work: you enter the US as a permanent resident and start the sponsored job.
In short: EB-3 is a multi-year process, and the Visa Bulletin wait is often the longest stage.
What Does the October 2026 Visa Bulletin Mean for EB-3?
The October 2026 Visa Bulletin, the first of fiscal year 2027, retrogressed EB-3 for Rest of World. The State Department explained:
"…these retrogressions are necessary to keep visa issuances within FY 2027 quarterly and annual limits."
US Department of State, Visa Bulletin for October 2026
Country of birth | EB-3 final action date | EB-3 Other Workers final action date |
Rest of World (including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and the Middle East) | May 15, 2024 | January 1, 2022 |
Philippines | August 15, 2023 | January 1, 2022 |
India | January 1, 2014 | January 1, 2014 |
China (mainland born) | January 8, 2022 | October 1, 2019 |
In September 2026, the Rest of World EB-3 final action date was September 1, 2024, so October's bulletin moved it back by several months. For October, USCIS is accepting adjustment of status filings based on the "Dates for Filing" chart, where Rest of World EB-3 is August 1, 2024.
For applicants born in India, the EB-3 backlog is far longer than for most other countries. Applicants should also check travel.state.gov for consular policies affecting their nationality. In August 2026, a federal court vacated a State Department pause on immigrant visas for nationals of 75 countries, so check the current position for your nationality.
In short: as of October 2026, a Rest of World EB-3 applicant's priority date must be before May 15, 2024 to be current, and Other Workers wait longer.
Who Pays for EB-3 PERM Labor Certification?
This is one of the most common EB-3 questions. Under US Department of Labor rules (20 CFR 656.12), an employer may not seek or receive payment of any kind for activities related to obtaining the PERM labor certification, including attorney fees and recruitment costs. In practice, the employer bears these costs, and the worker cannot pay or reimburse them.
Applicants generally pay their own costs for later stages, such as immigrant visa fees, medical exams and document preparation. EB-3 is never a way to buy a job or a Green Card.
In short: the sponsoring employer pays for PERM and recruitment; you cover your own visa-stage costs.
Who Does EB-3 Suit, and Who Doesn't It Suit?
EB-3 may suit you if:
You want a US Green Card but don't have $800,000 to invest.
You are ready to relocate and work full time in roles such as logistics, manufacturing or quality control.
You are willing to commit to the sponsoring employer. For "other workers," this is typically at least one year.
You were born in a country with a shorter backlog, such as most Rest of World countries.
EB-3 may not suit you if:
You want a passive route or plan to keep your current career or business abroad.
You were born in India and need a faster timeline.
You want to choose your US city or employer freely from day one.
If you can invest and prefer flexibility, compare options in our EB-5 vs Portugal Golden Visa guide, or read why EB-5 timelines vary.
In short: EB-3 suits motivated workers ready to move; it does not suit those seeking a passive or flexible route.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is EB-3 cheaper than EB-5?
Yes, in most cases. EB-3 requires no investment, while EB-5 requires $800,000 or $1,050,000 at risk. Under Department of Labor rules, the employer pays for PERM and recruitment. Applicants generally pay their own visa-stage costs, such as government fees and medical exams.
How long does the EB-3 visa take in 2026?
It varies by country of birth. The PERM stage often takes more than a year, and Rest of World applicants then wait for a priority date before May 15, 2024 to become current, per the October 2026 Visa Bulletin. India's backlog is much longer.
Do I need a degree for the EB-3 visa?
Not always. The "other workers" subgroup covers jobs that need less than 2 years of training or experience, and the "skilled workers" subgroup covers jobs needing at least 2 years. Only the "professionals" subgroup requires a bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent.
Can my family come with me on an EB-3 visa?
Yes. If applicable, a spouse and unmarried children under 21 can generally receive Green Cards as derivative beneficiaries. Children must remain eligible under the age rules, which depend on individual circumstances.
Who pays for EB-3 PERM labor certification?
The employer. Under 20 CFR 656.12, an employer may not seek or receive payment from anyone for activities related to obtaining the PERM labor certification, including attorney fees and recruitment costs. The worker cannot pay or reimburse these costs.
Can I apply for EB-3 if I'm already in the US?
Possibly. If you are in the US in valid status, you may be able to file Form I-485 for adjustment of status once your priority date is current, instead of consular processing abroad. Eligibility depends on individual circumstances, so speak with a licensed immigration attorney.
Explore the EB-3 Route or Compare It With EB-5
To see the roles and process in detail, visit our EB-3 visa page. If you are still focused on EB-5, book a free EB-5 consultation. You can also contact the InvestMigrate team.
Find Out If EB-3 Fits Your Plans
Every applicant's background and country of birth are different. Book a free, no-obligation assessment with an InvestMigrate consultant. Complete the short form below and our team will contact you.
Disclaimer: InvestMigrate is an investment migration consultancy, not a law firm, broker-dealer or investment adviser. This article is general information only and is not legal, tax, securities or investment advice, or an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any security. InvestMigrate may receive referral compensation from EB-5 projects or regional centers. Immigration and investment outcomes are not guaranteed, and EB-5 investments involve risk, including loss of capital. Program rules change frequently; confirm current requirements with official government sources and a licensed immigration attorney and financial professional before acting.
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