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US EB-3C Other Workers Green Card 2026 | Complete Guide: Requirements, Costs & How to Apply | Premiervisa
The EB-3C — A Practical Employer-Sponsored Pathway to US Permanent Residency
The United States offers multiple pathways to permanent residency (the Green Card), and the EB-3C — officially designated as the "Other Workers" subcategory of the EB-3 employment-based preference — is one of the most accessible employer-sponsored routes for individuals who do not hold advanced degrees or possess extraordinary abilities.
The EB-3C category is designed for workers in positions that require less than two years of training or experience, including unskilled and semi-skilled roles. While the category is subject to annual numerical limits and can involve significant waiting periods for applicants from certain countries, it represents a legitimate, well-established pathway to US permanent residency for workers who secure sponsorship from a qualifying US employer.
Premiervisa, headquartered in Hong Kong Central with over 3,000 successful cases and a 95% approval rate, has guided many clients through the EB-3C process, particularly those seeking employer-sponsored pathways to US permanent residency.
What Is the EB-3C Other Workers Green Card?
The EB-3C is a subcategory within the EB-3 (Employment-Based, Third Preference) immigrant visa category established under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). It is specifically designated for "Other Workers" — individuals performing unskilled labour requiring less than two years of training or experience.
The EB-3 category as a whole encompasses three subcategories: EB-3A for professionals holding a US baccalaureate degree or foreign equivalent; EB-3B for skilled workers in positions requiring at least two years of training or experience; and EB-3C for other workers in unskilled or semi-skilled positions.
All EB-3C applicants must be sponsored by a US employer who has obtained an approved PERM Labour Certification from the US Department of Labour, demonstrating that no qualified US workers are available for the position. The employer then files an Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers (Form I-140) on the applicant's behalf.
2026 Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the EB-3C Green Card, both the employer and the applicant must meet specific requirements.
Employer Requirements: The sponsoring US employer must be a legitimate US business entity. The employer must obtain an approved PERM Labour Certification from the US Department of Labour, demonstrating that the position has been advertised and that no qualified US workers are available. The employer must demonstrate the financial ability to pay the offered wage.
Applicant Requirements: The applicant must be offered a permanent, full-time position in the United States. The position must require less than two years of training or experience. The applicant must be qualified to perform the duties of the offered position. The applicant must not be inadmissible to the United States on health, criminal, security, or other grounds.
No Minimum Education Requirement: Unlike EB-3A (which requires a bachelor's degree) or EB-3B (which requires two years of training), the EB-3C category has no minimum educational requirement. This makes it accessible to a broader range of workers.
No Minimum Work Experience Requirement: The position must require less than two years of training or experience, and the applicant must be able to perform the job. There is no minimum work experience requirement for the applicant.
2026 Application Process
The EB-3C Green Card process involves multiple stages and government agencies.
Stage 1 — PERM Labour Certification: The employer applies to the US Department of Labour for PERM Labour Certification. This requires the employer to conduct a recruitment campaign to demonstrate that no qualified US workers are available for the position. The PERM process typically takes 6 to 18 months.
Stage 2 — I-140 Immigrant Petition: Once PERM is approved, the employer files Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers) with USCIS. Premium Processing (Form I-907) is available for an additional fee, reducing the I-140 decision time to 15 business days. Standard I-140 processing takes approximately 6 to 12 months.
Stage 3 — Priority Date and Visa Bulletin: After I-140 approval, the applicant must wait for their priority date to become current according to the monthly USCIS Visa Bulletin. The EB-3C category is subject to annual numerical limits and is heavily oversubscribed, particularly for applicants from China and India, resulting in potentially very long waiting periods. Applicants from most other countries (including Hong Kong) typically face shorter waits.
Stage 4 — Adjustment of Status or Consular Processing: Once the priority date is current, applicants inside the US file Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status), while applicants outside the US proceed through consular processing at a US embassy or consulate.
2026 Government Fees
PERM Labour Certification: There is no government filing fee for PERM Labour Certification — it is filed by the employer at no charge to the government.
I-140 Immigrant Petition Fee: USD 715 (filed by the employer).
I-140 Premium Processing Fee (Optional): USD 2,805 for 15 business day processing.
I-485 Adjustment of Status Fee (if applying inside the US): USD 1,440 per adult applicant (includes biometrics). Children under 14 filing with a parent: USD 950.
DS-260 Immigrant Visa Application Fee (if applying outside the US): USD 325 per applicant.
USCIS Immigrant Fee (after visa approval, outside US): USD 235 per applicant.
Medical Examination: Required for all applicants. Costs vary by location, typically USD 200 to USD 500 per person.
Total Government Fees (Indicative): For a single applicant proceeding through consular processing outside the US, total government fees are approximately USD 1,275 to USD 1,555 (approximately HKD 10,000 to HKD 12,000), excluding the employer-paid I-140 fee and medical examination.
2026 Processing Times
The total processing time for an EB-3C Green Card varies significantly depending on the applicant's country of birth and current visa bulletin wait times.
PERM Labour Certification: 6 to 18 months (employer-side process).
I-140 Processing: 6 to 12 months (standard); 15 business days (premium processing).
Priority Date Wait: This is the most variable factor. For applicants born in most countries (including Hong Kong), the EB-3C priority date is typically current or has a relatively short wait. For applicants born in China or India, the wait can be many years due to per-country annual limits.
I-485 / Consular Processing: 8 to 24 months after the priority date becomes current.
Total Estimated Time: For applicants from most countries (including Hong Kong), the total process from PERM filing to Green Card approval typically takes 2 to 4 years, subject to USCIS processing times and visa bulletin movements.
Family Members
Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 are eligible to receive derivative immigrant visas or adjustment of status alongside the principal EB-3C applicant. They receive the same Green Card (permanent residency) as the principal applicant. Each family member must file their own I-485 or DS-260 and pay the associated government fees.
Pathway to US Citizenship
After holding a US Green Card for 5 years (or 3 years if married to a US citizen), EB-3C Green Card holders are eligible to apply for US citizenship through naturalisation. US citizenship grants the holder one of the world's most powerful passports, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 180 countries and territories.
8 Strategic Reasons to Consider the EB-3C Green Card
Reason 1 — No Degree Required: The EB-3C is one of the few US Green Card categories that does not require a bachelor's degree, advanced degree, or extraordinary ability. It is accessible to workers across a wide range of backgrounds.
Reason 2 — Employer-Sponsored Permanent Residency: Unlike temporary work visas, the EB-3C is an immigrant visa — it leads directly to permanent residency, not just a temporary work authorisation.
Reason 3 — Family Inclusion: Your spouse and children under 21 receive Green Cards alongside you, giving your entire family permanent US residency.
Reason 4 — Work Authorisation During Process: Applicants inside the US who file I-485 can apply for an Employment Authorisation Document (EAD) and Advance Parole while their application is pending, allowing them to work and travel.
Reason 5 — Path to US Citizenship: After 5 years as a permanent resident, you are eligible for US naturalisation and one of the world's most powerful passports.
Reason 6 — Access to US Education System: Green Card holders pay in-state tuition rates at US public universities and are eligible for federal financial aid — a significant financial advantage for families with children.
Reason 7 — Social Security and Benefits: Green Card holders are eligible for US Social Security benefits and, after meeting residency requirements, various federal benefit programs.
Reason 8 — No Annual Cap on Green Cards for Immediate Relatives: While the EB-3C category is subject to annual numerical limits, once you hold a Green Card, your immediate relatives (spouse and children under 21) can also apply without being subject to the same numerical limits.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the EB-3C Other Workers Green Card?
The EB-3C is a US employment-based immigrant visa subcategory for workers in positions requiring less than two years of training or experience. It is one of three subcategories within the EB-3 (Third Preference) category and provides a direct pathway to US permanent residency (Green Card) for employer-sponsored workers.
Q2: Do I need a degree to apply for the EB-3C Green Card?
No. The EB-3C category has no minimum educational requirement. It is designed for workers in unskilled or semi-skilled positions that require less than two years of training or experience.
Q3: Does my employer need to sponsor me?
Yes. The EB-3C is an employer-sponsored category. Your US employer must obtain an approved PERM Labour Certification from the Department of Labour and file an I-140 Immigrant Petition on your behalf.
Q4: What is PERM Labour Certification?
PERM (Programme Electronic Review Management) Labour Certification is a process through which the US Department of Labour certifies that a US employer has conducted a good-faith recruitment effort and found no qualified US workers available for the position. It is a prerequisite for most employment-based Green Card categories, including EB-3C.
Q5: What are the government fees for the EB-3C Green Card?
The I-140 petition fee is USD 715 (paid by the employer). For applicants proceeding through consular processing outside the US, the DS-260 immigrant visa fee is USD 325 per person, and the USCIS immigrant fee is USD 235 per person. A medical examination is also required (approximately USD 200–500 per person). Total government fees for a single applicant outside the US are approximately USD 1,275–1,555 (approximately HKD 10,000–12,000).
Q6: How long does the EB-3C Green Card process take?
The total process from PERM filing to Green Card approval typically takes 2 to 4 years for applicants from most countries (including Hong Kong). The most variable factor is the priority date wait, which depends on the applicant's country of birth and monthly visa bulletin movements.
Q7: Can my family get Green Cards through my EB-3C application?
Yes. Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 are eligible for derivative immigrant visas or adjustment of status alongside you. They receive the same permanent residency status.
Q8: What is a priority date?
Your priority date is the date the Department of Labour received your employer's PERM Labour Certification application. It determines your place in the queue for an immigrant visa number. Your priority date must be "current" according to the monthly USCIS Visa Bulletin before you can proceed to the final stage of your Green Card application.
Q9: Is the EB-3C wait time long for Hong Kong applicants?
For applicants born in Hong Kong (or most countries other than China and India), the EB-3C priority date is typically current or has a relatively short wait compared to applicants from China or India, who may face waits of many years due to per-country annual limits.
Q10: Can I work in the US while my EB-3C application is pending?
If you are inside the US and have filed Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status), you can apply for an Employment Authorisation Document (EAD) which allows you to work for any US employer while your Green Card application is pending.
Q11: What happens after I receive my Green Card?
As a US permanent resident, you can live and work anywhere in the US, travel internationally and re-enter the US freely (subject to not abandoning residency), sponsor certain family members for Green Cards, and after 5 years (or 3 years if married to a US citizen), apply for US citizenship.
Q12: Can I change employers after my I-140 is approved?
Under the AC21 portability provisions, if your I-485 has been pending for more than 180 days, you may change employers to a same or similar occupation without affecting your Green Card application. This provides important flexibility for applicants in the later stages of the process.
Q13: What documents are required for the EB-3C process?
Key documents include: valid passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable), police clearance certificates from all countries of residence, medical examination results, evidence of the job offer, and the approved PERM and I-140 documents provided by your employer.
Q14: Is the EB-3C the same as EB-3?
EB-3 is the broader employment-based third preference category, which has three subcategories: EB-3A (professionals), EB-3B (skilled workers), and EB-3C (other workers). When people refer to "EB-3C," they specifically mean the "Other Workers" subcategory for positions requiring less than two years of training or experience.