The world of U.S. employment-based immigration is rife with misconceptions about Green Cards, particularly regarding the EB-3 category. Misinformation is constantly circulating, mostly via online portals, including social media, blogs, and forums, making the process feel even more daunting than it truly is for the aspiring applicants.
Thus, to ease your concerns and provide more clarity, here are five of the most common EB-3 visa myths, setting the record straight with clear EB-3 visa facts of 2025.
Myth 1: “You need a college degree for an EB-3 visa.”
Fact: Yes, you may be required to have a college degree; however, this is only partially true.
The EB-3 visa category is generally divided into three main subgroups – Skilled Workers, Professionals, and “Other Workers” (unskilled).
- Professionals (EB-3B) require a bachelor’s degree or its foreign equivalent.
- Skilled Workers (EB-3A) need at least two years of training or experience.
- Other Workers (EB-3C) are eligible for jobs requiring less than two years of work experience or training.
The EB-3 program’s “Other Workers” category caters to unskilled roles, such as hospitality, janitorial, or agricultural labor, that require candidates with minimal training. So, even without a college degree or any higher education, you get opportunities to expand your career.
This myth arose because people often ignore the EB-3C. However, the EB-3 visa facts highlight that even without proper degrees, applicants can qualify for a wide range of job roles.
Myth 2: “The EB-3 process is too expensive.”
Fact: Irrespective of the pathway you choose to apply for an EB-3 visa, you cannot get away from paying the multiple fees, including filing, medical, and legal costs, required to complete the process. However, this doesn’t necessarily make the process prohibitively expensive.
- The Form I-140 filing fee is $715; if you opt for premium processing, be ready to bear an additional cost of $2,805.
- If you are applying from within the US for an Adjustment of Status (I-485), additional fees will be around $1,225 per person.
- For consular processing, you can expect fees (several hundred dollars more) for the DS-260, affidavit of support, and USCIS immigrant fee.
Despite these multi-obligatory expenses, the EB-3 route is considerably less costly than investment-based visas (EB-5). Moreover, many associated fees (e.g., PERM, I-140 filing) are paid by the employer, particularly the PERM labor certification fees.
Therefore, the myth that the EB-3 process is “too expensive” is one of those Green Card misconceptions that often overlooks the sponsoring employer’s responsibility and comparative affordability.
Myth 3: “You are stuck in your initial job forever.”
Fact: No, this is definitely not the case.
Under the American Competitiveness in the Twenty-First Century Act (AC21), EB-3 candidates are allowed to change employers, provided that their I-140 petition has been approved and their I-485 Adjustment of Status has been filed but is pending for at least 180 days. But remember that your new job must be in the “same or similar occupational classification,” providing a much-needed flexibility for change.
This EB-3 visa myth includes single-employer lock-in. However, the EB-3 visa facts, in reality, mandate mobility that encourages immigrant workers towards more progressive career paths while keeping the green card process moving.
Myth 4: “It’s impossible to bring your family with you.”
Fact: This is undoubtedly one of the widespread Green Card misconceptions.
Provided that the EB-3 applicant is married, they can bring their immediate family along on derivative visas to the US, which include their spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age. As dependents, they are legally allowed to live, study, and often work in the U.S. during the process.
Once the applicant’s EB-3 green card is approved, dependents can also adjust status. Depending on the residential location and workload, the average processing times for dependents can go from a few months to over a year.
Nonetheless, the EB-3 visa process generally supports family unity.
Myth 5: “The waiting times are always decades long.”
Fact: That is not the case for every applicant, although it’s halfway true.
While some applicants, particularly from high-demand countries like India and China, face significant backlogs and prolonged wait times, a decade-long waiting period does not apply to everyone.
- As of Q2 of FY 2025, average processing time for employer-sponsored green cards across all categories (including EB-3) clocked in at around 3.5 years (1,256 days).
- The I-140 petition itself takes around 5-7 months for skilled workers and professionals, and 8-13 months for unskilled workers.
- The I-485 may take anywhere from 12 to 34 months.
Now, processing time also depends heavily on the applicant’s national origin. Other countries, including the Philippines, Mexico, parts of Latin America, and Africa, often see much shorter wait times than India or China.
Fortunately, many applicants are hopeful of the Dignity Act of 2025, which proposes to raise per-country caps and offer premium processing ($20,000 fee) for long-waiting applicants. This Act aims to clear backlogs by 2035.
While prolonged wait times are unavoidable for some, the misconception that EB-3 waiting times are universally never-ending is misleading. Rather, it has become more nuanced and is improving.
Quick look – EB-3 Visa myths vs. facts
| Myth | Fact/Reality (2025) |
| You must have a college degree | No, unskilled workers also qualify via the EB-3C. |
| The EB-3 process is too costly | Fees exist, but are comparatively lower than other immigration pathways (many are employer-paid) |
| Bound to your initial job forever | Under AC21, you can change employers, considering that the criteria are met (same or similar job roles) |
| Cannot bring family along | The spouse and minor children are included, and can even study, work, and live in the US. |
| Decade-long waiting time | On average, 3.5 years; it may be longer or shorter depending on your origin country. |
Final thoughts
Clarity between EB-3 visa myths and EB-3 visa facts will help applicants overcome the visa approval process with confidence. Whatever your concern is, having accurate and up-to-date information is crucial.
For any doubtful claims online or in groups, look them up in official resources or seek guidance from professionals. Most of these Green Card misconceptions stem from outdated information or oversimplified memes. However, the real picture in 2025 is more hopeful, inclusive, and change-oriented.
