EB-3 Professional, or the professional subcategory, is the subcategory for people holding a bachelor’s degree within the EB-3 immigrant visa system. If you have graduated from university and want to immigrate to the US through the employment-based route, this subcategory is well worth exploring.
In this article, the M2W team will explain what EB-3 Professional is, its degree requirements, how it differs from the other subcategories, and the application timeline. The information is drawn from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
EB-3 Professional là gì?
EB-3 Professional is the professional subcategory within EB-3, for people performing jobs that require a university-level education. It is the subcategory with the clearest degree requirement among the three EB-3 subcategories.
Theo U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), this subcategory is for people whose job requires at least a US bachelor’s degree or a foreign equivalent. The job itself must normally require this degree as a condition.
So the crux of EB-3 Professional is the link between the degree and the requirements of the position. Simply holding a university degree does not automatically place you in this subcategory; the job itself must genuinely require that level of education.
Degree requirements
The core requirement of EB-3 Professional is a bachelor’s degree. You need a US bachelor’s degree, or a foreign degree recognized as equivalent.
An important point to note is that work experience generally cannot substitute for a bachelor’s degree in this subcategory. This is a notable difference from the more flexible approach in other categories.
Therefore, proving degree equivalency through an assessment procedure is a step you need to prepare carefully. A properly recognized degree will help your application go smoothly from the start.
Differences from skilled worker and unskilled worker
Understanding the differences between the three subcategories helps you choose the right category. Each subcategory reflects a different level of qualification.
EB-3 Professional focuses on a bachelor’s degree, while skilled worker focuses on a minimum of 2 years of experience, and unskilled worker requires less than 2 years of training. The higher the level, the clearer the education requirement.
Despite differing entry requirements, all three subcategories share the same EB-3 quota and process. You can refer to the article EB-3 Skilled Worker for a comparison.
The EB-3 Professional application timeline
The EB-3 Professional timeline follows the general framework of the EB-3 category, going through successive stages.
The employer first applies for PERM labor certification, then files Form I-140 with USCIS. The PERM filing date becomes the Priority Date, which determines your place in the queue.
When your Priority Date becomes current on the Visa Bulletin, you complete your green card application through Form I-485 or the DS-260 process. You can see the detailed steps in the article quy trình EB-3.
Who is EB-3 Professional suitable for?
This category is best suited for those who have graduated from university and work in a job matching their trained field. A bachelor’s degree is the key advantage.
If you hold a bachelor’s degree and can find a position in the US that requires exactly that level of education, EB-3 Professional is a sensible choice. Fields such as accounting, engineering, information technology, and education typically fall into this group.
Correctly identifying the right subcategory from the start helps you prepare the appropriate educational documentation and avoid confusion. This is the foundational step for a solid application.
Summary
In summary, EB-3 Professional is the professional subcategory of EB-3, for people with a bachelor’s degree in a job that requires exactly that level, requiring employer sponsorship and PERM labor certification. A recognized degree is the decisive factor.
The M2W team’s advice is to complete the degree equivalency assessment procedure early. To understand the full picture of the three subcategories, you should continue reading the article EB-3 là gì.
Read more: Overview of the EB-3 visa for US immigration · Concurrent filing EB-3: Filing I-485 together with I-140
