Introduction
Finding information on how to get permanent residency with an EB2 or EB3 visa can be a very lonely search as many websites fail to cover all of the qualifications and requirements for each type of visa. In this article we will discuss the two types of visas and try to help you figure out which is best for you and your family.
Define EB2 and EB3 Visas: Eligibility Criteria and Key Features
Immigration can be complex, especially when trying to understand Permanent Residency through employment-based immigration (EB). There are two main categories in which EB visas fall: EB2 and EB3.
EB2 Visa
Let’s break it down:
- Eligibility Criteria: First, there must be a job offer from a U.S. employer for the immigrant. Then the immigrant must meet the requirements for an EB2 immigrant, such as holding an advanced degree or a specialized degree leading to a career in science, technology, engineering or mathematics. Note also that the EB2 category includes the National Interest Waiver (NIW) category for immigrant workers whose work will particularly benefit the U.S. from which they may self-petition for a green card without employer sponsorship being required.
- Key Features: EB2 processing times for such permits are typically shorter and less filled with backlogs than their EB3 counterparts. Hence, it is worthwhile to attempt to qualify for an EB2 permit as well.
EB3 Visa
EB3 Visa - Permanent Residency for More Workers
In order to make an informed decision regarding permanent residency through employment-based immigration for yourself and your family, let’s take a closer look at the eligibility requirements and more for the Permanent Residency for skilled foreign workers route, the EB3 visa.
- Work Experience Required: Applicants with a job offer from a U.S. employer in the skilled or other worker category must have 2+ years of relevant work experience. In the professional category, the individual must have completed a U.S. bachelor’s degree or its foreign equivalent.
- Key Features: EB3 processing time typically takes longer than EB2 and there is often a significant backlog of issued EB3 permits for candidates from high-demand countries for Green Cards. Therefore, the EB3 path is not recommended for individuals that are planning to migrate to the U.S.
We can help you to choose the most appropriate visa for your immigration to the U.S. and for your family.
Compare EB2 and EB3 Processing Times: What to Expect
How Long Does it Take to Process an eb2 vs eb3 Immigration Petition? Both of these petitions are for employment-based immigrant visas. As mentioned above, the main difference between an eb2 petition and an eb3 petition is the classification in which the petition will be approved plus the country of origin of the applicant. Also, note that USCIS is a service of the US Department of Homeland Security and therefore processing time for employment-based immigrant visas will depend on the workloads of USCIS.
EB2 Processing Times
- Typical Processing Time: Processing time for I-140 petitions for EB2 Permit Holders is 6 to 12 months. Processing of such I-140 applications for EB2 Permit Holders can be expedited to 15 calendar days by requesting for Premium Processing of EB2 applications. In this case, EB2 applications will be processed in 15 calendar days as opposed to months.
- Longer Processing Times for High-Demand Countries: However, even within classifications of very low demand, there are countries of national origin that have longer waiting periods to be issued visas than others. Currently for example, the backlog for Indians and Chinese is approximately 472 days and rising. This is caused by rising denial rates for immigration applications over the last year, which have now risen to 12.2% in the last quarter of FY2026, compared to 8.9% in the first quarter of FY2025.
EB3 Processing Times
- Typical Timeline for the I-140 petition: The waiting period for the EB3 I-140 petition can range from 12 to 24 months and, as for the EB2 I-140 petition, the total processing time for the entire Green Card process may range from 3 years to 5 years or more depending on the country of origin of the immigrant and whether the immigrant is applying as an employee in an Advanced degree or in Skilled labor category or as an immigrant in unskilled labor category.
- Backlog Considerations: Backlog for unskilled worker categories (which are the biggest portion of all EB3 applications) is very long (3-5 years). The EB3 process begins with the mandatory PERM labor certification process. This process is typically completed within 15.5 to 16 months plus an additional 24 to 30 months for the green card to become available.
Immigration processing times are unpredictable, but that doesn’t mean you have to be. Take control of your immigration process by learning more about the processing times for both the EB2 and EB3 visas today!
Analyze Factors Affecting EB2 and EB3 Processing Times
It’s challenging enough to navigate the many facets of immigration to the U.S., and then there’s waiting for that all-important green card.
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Country of Origin
- Country of Origin: The demand for US visas from countries such as China and India are so high, that processing time for green card applications for individuals from these countries can take a very long time to process. For example, the current EB-3 final action date for individuals from India is January 1, 2014. For FY 2024, there were only 511 EB-3 immigrant permits available for individuals from India.
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Type of Employment
- Skilled vs. Unskilled: For those individuals that fall under the unskilled labor category (5.93(b)) typically filing as EB3, processing time for EB2 applicants with advanced degrees as well as applicants with exceptional ability can be longer than their unskilled counterparts in the labor market. When there is excess workers in the labor market applying under the unskilled category processing time for EB2 applicants can be longer.
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- USCIS Workload: The processing capacity of USCIS also impacts processing time for all types of immigration applications. This includes the effects of increased application volumes, changes to immigration policy, as well as other factors such as USCIS staffing levels. Currently the average review duration for a PERM application by a PERM analyst is 336 days.
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Premium Processing
- Expedited Processing: It is possible to pay USCIS for expedited processing for an I-140 application of an EB2 visa holder. In contrast, there is no such processing for EB3 candidates. Also, as can be seen from the above statistics, the demand for EB-3 visas is extremely high with 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based limit available each year. The statutory cap for EB-3 is approximately 40,000 per year.
Summary
These factors will help you, as an applicant, understand the factors involved in processing cases in the U.S. immigration system. This will help you to manage your case and to understand the various factors involved.
Evaluate Strategic Considerations: Choosing Between EB2 and EB3
Immigration Visa Options for Your Future.
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Qualifications and Experience
- Assessing Fit: First assess the potential client’s qualifications and experience. Then assess your own. If you have an advanced degree, or possess exceptional ability, then the EB2 category will likely be the best choice for you. If you have less formal education, or possess less experience, then the EB3 category will be more appropriate. Typically, EB-3 professional positions require at least a bachelor’s degree for their job descriptions.
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Long-Term Goals
- Higher Career Aspirations: To fulfill higher career goals the immigrant will choose the higher paid jobs in EB-2 category that require higher qualifications and greater skills. With both EB-2 and EB-3 visa categories recently being moved to Current Status for filing in April 2026, the immigrant can pursue his or her long-term objectives sooner rather than having to wait for years for processing by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
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Processing Time Preferences
- Urgency of Immigration: Individuals with higher immigrant aspirations often need to enter the US more quickly to be able to meet goals that they have set. This would make the EB2 processing time for visa applications a better option compared to processing the EB3 visa for several reasons. First, processing time for EB2 visas to allow entry into the US for permanent residence has the option for premium processing which means that a tremendous amount of time can be saved in processing a petition. Although both categories for new immigrant visas to allow permanent residence have become current for filing as noted in the eb2 vs eb3 processing time chart for the Visa Bulletin for April 2026, processing in a category where there is timely filing and the category is current for a number of months will allow an individual who has prepared his or her application and developed a case strategy to be ready to file when the time comes.
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Employer Sponsorship
- Job Offer Requirements: Evaluating your ability to get a U.S. job offer as well as your current work situation is a critical aspect in deciding whether to apply for an EB-2 visa or an EB-3 visa. This includes reviewing the job description of the job offered by the potential employer(s) and determining whether your qualifications match with the requirements of the job offered by the sponsor(s). Case studies help to illustrate these factors.
Summary
In summary, knowing your options is key to enabling you to take steps in the right direction towards your future goals. Looking into qualifications needed, future career objectives, and time frame to process applications as well as what your employer’s role is in sponsoring you for the best visa category to apply for is key to making informed decisions regarding your immigration needs.
Conclusion
It’s no secret that the process for obtaining a visa can be long and arduous, and one of the biggest decisions one must make along the way is whether or not to pursue an EB2 visa or an EB3 visa. Of course, in terms of qualifications, both types of visas look to the applicant’s skills in order to determine how long it will take for them to settle in the U.S., and how soon they need to do so.
While an EB2 visa allows its holder to reach the U.S. more quickly than an EB3 visa, however, obtaining an EB2 visa is by no means the easiest route to take. In addition to qualifications, factors such as where an applicant is from and what type of job they have can affect the amount of time it takes to receive a visa. Additionally, many EB2 applications are able to be fast-tracked in order to reach a decision more quickly.
Therefore, in order to decide whether or not an EB2 visa or an EB3 visa is best for an individual’s unique circumstances, it is necessary to take into account their individual qualifications and goals, as well as the amount of time that they have. Experts, such as those found at the Vasquez Law Firm, can also help individuals make the best decision for their circumstances. The Vasquez Law Firm is available 24/7 to assist clients in their quest for American citizenship.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the EB2 and EB3 visas?
The EB2 and EB3 visas are categories of employment-based immigration visas that allow foreign nationals to obtain permanent residency in the U.S. EB2 is for individuals with advanced degrees or specialized skills, while EB3 is for skilled workers and professionals.
What are the eligibility criteria for the EB2 visa?
To qualify for the EB2 visa, an immigrant must have a job offer from a U.S. employer and meet specific requirements, such as holding an advanced degree or a specialized degree in fields like science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. The EB2 category also includes the National Interest Waiver (NIW), allowing self-petitioning without employer sponsorship.
What are the key features of the EB2 visa?
EB2 visas generally have shorter processing times and fewer backlogs compared to EB3 visas, making it advantageous for applicants to pursue EB2 eligibility if possible.
What are the eligibility requirements for the EB3 visa?
Applicants for the EB3 visa must have a job offer from a U.S. employer and, depending on the category, must have at least 2 years of relevant work experience or a U.S. bachelor's degree (or its foreign equivalent) for the professional category.
How does the processing time for EB3 visas compare to EB2 visas?
The processing time for EB3 visas is typically longer than that for EB2 visas, and there is often a significant backlog for EB3 permits, especially for candidates from high-demand countries.
Which visa is recommended for individuals planning to migrate to the U.S.?
The EB2 visa is generally recommended over the EB3 visa for individuals planning to migrate to the U.S. due to its shorter processing times and fewer backlogs.
How can Vasquez Law Firm assist with the EB2 and EB3 visa process?
Vasquez Law Firm can help individuals choose the most appropriate visa for their immigration needs and provide guidance throughout the application process. They offer 24/7 availability for urgent legal matters and free initial consultations.
List of Sources
- Define EB2 and EB3 Visas: Eligibility Criteria and Key Features
- EB-3 Visa Statistics 2026: Approval Rates & Wait Times | Alma (https://tryalma.com/learn/eb3-visa-statistics)
- EB-3 Green Card Statistics in 2026: Caps and Backlogs (https://manifestlaw.com/blog/eb3-visa-statistics)
- EB-2 vs. EB-3 Green Card: Which Is Faster in 2026? | Gozel Law (https://gozellaw.com/blog/eb-2-vs-eb-3-green-card)
- April 2026 Visa Bulletin: Major Progress for EB-2/EB-3 India (https://ellis.com/resources/visa-bulletin-april-2026-analysis)
- April-June 2026 Visa Bulletin Shifts Impact Employers Update (https://clarkhill.com/news-events/news/april-june-2026-visa-bulletin-eb2-eb3-uscis-update)
- Compare EB2 and EB3 Processing Times: What to Expect
- USCIS Filing Trends: New Data Shows Immigration Processing Falling Further Behind - American Immigration Council (https://americanimmigrationcouncil.org/blog/uscis-immigration-processing-trends-2026)
- Legal immigration in numbers: August 2026 status update - Niskanen Center (https://niskanencenter.org/immigrationdata)
- EB-3 Processing Time in 2026: From PERM Filing to Green Card Approval (https://tryalma.com/learn/eb3-processing-time)
- April-June 2026 Visa Bulletin Shifts Impact Employers Update (https://clarkhill.com/news-events/news/april-june-2026-visa-bulletin-eb2-eb3-uscis-update)
- BIG RELIEF FOR INDIANS: EB-2 AND EB-3 DATES MOVE FORWARD SIGNIFICANTLY IN APRIL 2026 VISA BULLETIN - Reddy Neumann Brown PC (https://rnlawgroup.com/big-relief-for-indians-eb-2-and-eb-3-dates-move-forward-significantly-in-april-2026-visa-bulletin)
- Analyze Factors Affecting EB2 and EB3 Processing Times
- EB-3 Processing Time In 2026: How Long Does It Really Take? | Zenith Law Firm, LLC (https://zenithlawfirmmd.com/blog/2026/march/eb-3-processing-time-in-2026-how-long-does-it-really-take)
- Employment-Based Green Card Backlogs Reach Record Highs as USCIS Delays and Denials Increase - American Immigration Council (https://americanimmigrationcouncil.org/report/uscis-employment-based-immigration)
- EB-3 Green Card Statistics in 2026: Caps and Backlogs (https://manifestlaw.com/blog/eb3-visa-statistics)
- Evaluate Strategic Considerations: Choosing Between EB2 and EB3
- April-June 2026 Visa Bulletin Shifts Impact Employers Update (https://clarkhill.com/news-events/news/april-june-2026-visa-bulletin-eb2-eb3-uscis-update)
- April 2026 Visa Bulletin: Major Progress for EB-2/EB-3 India (https://ellis.com/resources/visa-bulletin-april-2026-analysis)
- EB-2 vs. EB-3 Green Card: Which Is Faster in 2026? | Gozel Law (https://gozellaw.com/blog/eb-2-vs-eb-3-green-card)
- EB-2 Visa Backlogs in 2026: Who Benefits and How to Stay Ahead (https://stelmakhlaw.com/blog/eb2-visa-retrogression-2026-strategies)
- United States: EB-2 India Unavailable Through September 30, 2026 — What Employers and Indian Nationals Need to Know - WR Immigration (https://wolfsdorf.com/united-states-eb-2-india-unavailable-through-september-30-2026-what-employers-and-indian-nationals-need-to-know)
