EB‑3 Visa Timeline for Nigerians in 2026: How Long Does It Really Take?

Relocating to the United States through the EB‑3 employment‑based visa is one of the most reliable ways for Nigerians to secure long‑term stability, quality education for their children, and a pathway to permanent residency. But one of the first questions almost everyone asks is:

“How long will it take?”

There is a lot of confusion—and a lot of misinformation—about EB‑3 timelines. Some informal agents promise a green card in “six to nine months.” Others cannot explain the process at all. In reality, the EB‑3 journey is a multi‑stage, multi‑year process, and the exact timing depends on several moving parts.

This data‑driven guide breaks down the EB‑3 timeline for Nigerians applying around 2026, using the most recent public information from:

• The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) – for PERM Labor Certification

• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) – for I‑140 petitions

• The U.S. Department of State – for immigrant visa processing and Visa Bulletin trends

While exact timing can never be guaranteed, understanding these stages helps you plan better—and protects you from anyone selling unrealistic “fast‑track” promises.

Step 1: Initial Assessment, Preparation, and Employer Matching

Estimated time: 2–6 months (varies by applicant and market conditions)

Before any government filing happens, there is a crucial preparation phase. This is where many months can be saved—or lost—depending on how organized and proactive you are.

Eligibility Assessment

A reputable immigration advisory firm will first check:

• Your education and work experience against EB‑3 requirements (skilled, professional, or other worker category).

• Your language ability, health, and background to spot any red flags early.

• Your family situation (spouse, children under 21) to structure the case correctly.

This stage can be quick—sometimes just a few weeks—if your documents are ready. But for many Nigerians, gathering transcripts, reference letters, or old certificates can take longer.

Document Collection and CV/Resume Structuring

You’ll typically need:

• International‑standard CV

• Academic credentials and, if needed, credential evaluation

• Employment reference letters

• Passport data pages for you and family members

• Police and other background checks later in the process

InvestMigrate and similar structured firms usually provide checklists and templates, which can cut down preparation time significantly.

Employer Matching

EB‑3 is an employer‑sponsored category. A U.S. company must be willing to offer you a permanent, full‑time position and go through the legal process to sponsor you.

Employer matching time depends on:

• Your skills and work history

• The industry and specific roles available

• How quickly employers are recruiting in that period

In recent years, U.S. employers in sectors like hospitality, food processing, logistics, healthcare support, and certain skilled trades have actively used EB‑3 to fill long‑term labor shortages. If your profile fits, matching can happen in a few weeks to a few months. If you’re very specialized, it may take longer.

Data note: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics consistently reports shortages in sectors such as healthcare support, transportation, and service industries. These shortages are one reason employers turn to EB‑3 sponsorship.

Step 2: PERM Labor Certification (Department of Labor)

Estimated time (based on recent data): 8–12+ months

The PERM Labor Certification is often the single longest step in the EB‑3 process.

What is PERM?

The U.S. government requires employers to prove that:

• There are no able, willing, qualified, and available U.S. workers for the specific job at the offered wage in the job location.

• Hiring a foreign worker will not negatively affect the wages and working conditions of U.S. workers in similar roles.

To do this, employers must run a recruitment campaign—advertising the job in specific ways and documenting the results—before filing with the Department of Labor.

Recruitment and Preparation

This includes:

• Placing job ads in newspapers, online job portals, and/or state workforce agencies

• Reviewing any U.S. applicants

• Preparing detailed documentation to show the recruitment was genuine

Recruitment itself generally takes at least 2–3 months due to mandatory advertising periods.

DOL Processing Times

Once the employer files the PERM application, it enters the DOL queue. Recent official processing‑time reports from the DOL (2023–2024) show:

• Standard PERM processing times often around 8–10 months

• Audited cases (where DOL asks for more evidence) can take longer—sometimes over 12 months

These numbers change frequently based on how many applications the DOL receives and their staffing levels. However, they clearly show that PERM is not a quick step.

What This Means for Nigerians Applying in 2026

If current patterns continue, Nigerians starting EB‑3 around 2026 should be prepared for:

• 2–4 months of recruitment and preparation

• 8–12+ months of DOL processing

That means around 10–16 months from the beginning of PERM recruitment to certification, with 12–14 months being a common experience in recent years.

Step 3: I‑140 Immigrant Petition (USCIS)

Estimated time: 1–10 months, depending on premium processing and case type

Once PERM is certified, the employer (usually through their immigration attorney) files Form I‑140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker with USCIS.

What USCIS Checks at This Stage

USCIS evaluates:

• Whether the foreign worker (you) meets the education and experience requirements listed in the PERM.

• Whether the employer has “ability to pay” the offered wage from the priority date onward.

• Whether all eligibility criteria for the specific EB‑3 category (skilled, professional, or other worker) are met.

Processing Time Options

USCIS offers two main paths:

• Regular processing

  • Recent historical timelines: often 6–10 months for EB‑3 I‑140s, depending on service center workload.

• Premium processing (expedited)

  • For an additional government fee, USCIS will adjudicate the I‑140 within 15 calendar days.

  • Note: 15 days is for USCIS’s decision period, not the entire stage; preparation and mailing still take time.

USCIS publishes its processing times online, and responsible advisory firms monitor these regularly to give up‑to‑date guidance.

Typical Experience for Nigerians

Most serious EB‑3 employers and advisory firms now use premium processing to reduce waiting time and give applicants clearer visibility. When premium is used and documents are well‑prepared, you might see:

• 1–3 months total from PERM certification to I‑140 approval (including preparation + 15‑day adjudication).

With regular processing, expect 6–10 months or more.

Step 4: Waiting for a Visa Number – The Visa Bulletin

Estimated time: 0–12+ months (depends on category and demand)

Employment‑based immigrant visas like EB‑3 are subject to annual numerical limits. The U.S. Department of State publishes a monthly Visa Bulletin that shows when applicants in different categories and countries can move forward to the final stage (consular processing or adjustment of status).

Country Categories and Nigeria

Currently, Nigeria is part of the “All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed” group in the employment‑based categories. This is important because:

• Some countries (like India and China) are oversubscribed and have heavy backlogs, leading to long waits after I‑140 approval.

• Many other countries, including Nigeria, have historically seen shorter or sometimes no additional waiting once I‑140 is approved, depending on demand.

In several recent years, the EB‑3 “All Chargeability” category has moved between “current” (no extra wait) and having moderate cut‑off dates due to global demand. This pattern may continue into 2026.

What This Means Practically

If, at the time your I‑140 is approved, the Visa Bulletin lists EB‑3 “All Chargeability” as current, you can move almost immediately to consular processing.

If there is a cut‑off date and your priority date (the date your PERM was filed) is later than that cut‑off, you must wait until the bulletin advances.

This waiting period could range from 0 months (if current) to 12+ months, depending on worldwide demand in that period.

No provider can control or accurately predict long‑term Visa Bulletin movements. Honest firms will show you the data and help you track it—not promise specific months or years.

Step 5: NVC Processing and U.S. Embassy Interview

Estimated time: 4–10+ months

Once a visa number is available and your I‑140 is approved, your case is transferred to the National Visa Center (NVC) for immigrant visa processing, and then to the appropriate U.S. consulate (for Nigerians, typically Lagos or Abuja).

5.1 NVC Stage

You’ll need to:

• Pay visa and affidavit of support fees (if applicable)

• Submit civil documents (birth certificates, marriage certificates, police certificates, passports, etc.)

• Complete the DS‑260 immigrant visa application form

• Upload all documents via the NVC portal

If documents are submitted correctly and on time, NVC can complete its review in a few months. If there are missing items, translation issues, or errors, this stage can easily stretch longer.

5.2 Medical Examination

Before the interview, you and your family members must complete a medical exam with an approved panel physician. This usually happens shortly before your scheduled interview date.

5.3 U.S. Embassy or Consulate Interview

The final step is the visa interview. Here, the consular officer:

• Reviews your case, background, and intention to work in the offered job

• Checks your documentation

• May ask about your employer, job duties, salary, and relocation plan

Wait times for visa interviews depend on local embassy workload, staffing, and any global events (for example, COVID‑19 caused long delays worldwide).

In recent years, employment‑based immigrant visa interview backlogs have gradually improved since the pandemic peak, but applicants should still allow several months between NVC case completion and the actual interview date.

A realistic expectation for NVC + embassy stage is 4–10 months, depending on how fast you respond to requests and local scheduling.

Putting It All Together: A Realistic EB‑3 Timeline for Nigerians in 2026

Let’s combine the pieces into a typical scenario for a well‑prepared Nigerian family starting EB‑3 in or around 2026, assuming no major policy shocks and using the more efficient options where possible.

• Assessment, documents, employer match – 2–6 months

• PERM recruitment + DOL processing – 10–16 months

• I‑140 (with premium processing) – 1–3 months

• Visa Bulletin waiting – 0–12+ months (varies; may be zero if category is current)

• NVC + medical + interview scheduling – 4–10 months

Total realistic range:

• Best‑case scenario: ~17–20 months (if you move quickly, there’s no PERM audit, and the Visa Bulletin is current)

• More common range: 2–3.5 years from starting the process to landing in the U.S.

• Possible extended cases: 4+ years if there are audits, documentation issues, or a future backlog in EB‑3 visa numbers.

Any individual or agency promising Nigerians a guaranteed “one‑year green card” through EB‑3 is either uninformed or intentionally misleading you.

Factors That Can Speed Up or Slow Down Your EB‑3 Case

1. Document Readiness

The more organized you are from day one, the fewer delays you’ll face. Late transcripts, missing reference letters, or unclear work histories can easily add months.

2. Quality of Advisory Firm and Legal Team

Mistakes in PERM recruitment, form preparation, or evidence submission can result in:

• DOL audits or denials

• USCIS Requests for Evidence (RFEs)

• Re‑filings that reset the clock

Working with an experienced, compliant firm that collaborates with qualified U.S. immigration lawyers can reduce these risks significantly.

3. Government Policy and Workload

Processing times are affected by:

• Changes in U.S. immigration policy

• Staffing levels at DOL, USCIS, NVC, and embassies

• Global crises (pandemics, geopolitical events)

No provider has control over these factors, so any promise to “bypass” them is a red flag.

4. Your Own Responsiveness

Delays aren’t always on the government side. If you:

• Take weeks to respond to document requests

• Delay paying required fees

• Miss medical or interview appointments

you add unnecessary months to your own case.

Why Honest Timelines Protect You from Scams

Understanding the true EB‑3 timeline does more than help you plan; it also protects you from fraud.

Scammers often:

• Exploit people’s frustration with long waits

• Offer “express processing,” “shortcuts,” or “connections” to speed things up

• Ask for large upfront payments in exchange for unrealistic promises

Because many Nigerians don’t know that 12–24 months for PERM + I‑140 alone is normal, they believe claims like:

• “Our route is faster than normal U.S. process”

• “You don’t have to do PERM”

• “We can convert your tourist visa directly to a green card in a few months”

All of these are red flags. U.S. immigration agencies follow strict protocols. Anyone suggesting they can bypass those systems through personal influence or hidden channels is not dealing with a legal EB‑3 pathway.

How to Plan Your Life Around the EB‑3 Timeline

Since EB‑3 is a multi‑year journey, strategic planning is crucial. Here are practical tips for Nigerian families:

1. Think in Phases, Not Fixed Dates

Instead of asking, “What exact month will we travel?”, frame it as:

• Phase 1: 0–6 months – assessment, document readiness, employer match

• Phase 2: 6–24 months – PERM + I‑140

• Phase 3: 24–36+ months – visa number, NVC, interview, travel

This mindset reduces anxiety and helps you set broad planning windows.

2. Plan Finances Gradually

Costs are spread over several stages (professional fees, government fees, medicals, travel). A structured firm will help you stage payments so you’re not under extreme financial pressure at once.

Use the overall timeline to:

• Build a dedicated relocation savings plan

• Avoid resigning from your job or selling assets too early

• Budget for schooling, housing, and initial settlement in the U.S.

3. Prepare Your Family Emotionally

Multi‑year timelines can feel long, especially for children or spouses anxious to move. Use the waiting period to:

• Improve skills (English, digital literacy, relevant job skills)

• Research U.S. schooling, healthcare, and communities

• Discuss realistic expectations about work and lifestyle in the U.S.

4. Keep Monitoring Official Data

Processing times and Visa Bulletin dates are public:

• USCIS Processing Times: uscis.gov

• Department of Labor Processing Times: flag.dol.gov

• Visa Bulletin: travel.state.gov

Reputable advisors like InvestMigrate track these regularly and update clients so they’re never in the dark.

How InvestMigrate Supports Nigerians Through the EB‑3 Timeline

InvestMigrate, founded in 2008, specializes in structured, compliant EB‑3 pathways for families and professionals. Our approach is centered on:

• Clarity from day one – We explain each stage and share realistic timelines based on current data.

• Compliance and transparency – No shortcuts, no fake “fast tracks,” and no hidden fees.

• End‑to‑end guidance – From eligibility assessment and employer matching to documentation, PERM, I‑140, and consular preparation.

• Family‑first planning – Helping you coordinate schooling, relocation logistics, and settlement support so your move is sustainable, not just quick.

We can’t promise you a specific date of arrival—but we can promise a structured, honest, and legally sound process that protects your long‑term future in the U.S.

Patience with a Plan

The EB‑3 route is not the fastest way to enter the United States, but it is one of the most secure and family‑friendly options for Nigerians seeking permanent residency.

Based on current data, Nigerians starting an EB‑3 journey around 2026 should expect:

• At least 2 years, and more realistically 2–3.5 years, from initial assessment to landing in the U.S., with some cases taking longer depending on government backlogs and individual circumstances.

Understanding and accepting this reality does three powerful things:

• It helps you plan your life and finances intelligently.

• It makes you immune to scams that exploit impatience and desperation.

• It allows you to work with advisory firms and employers who respect the law and your future.

If you are ready to explore a structured EB‑3 pathway and want a personalised assessment of what the timeline could look like for you, you can start here:

Sign up in the lead form. 

The journey is long—but with the right information, partners, and planning, it can lead your family to the stable future you’re working so hard to build.