EB-3 — Skilled / professional worker immigration law firms
About the EB-3 category
EB-3 is the employment third-preference green card for skilled workers (jobs requiring at least two years of training or experience), professionals (jobs requiring a U.S. bachelor's degree or its equivalent), and other workers (positions requiring less than two years of training). Most EB-3 cases require a U.S. employer and PERM labor certification before the I-140 petition is filed, and then a wait for a current priority date that varies by sub-category and country of birth. EB-3 is often the right route for workers who do not meet the EB-2 advanced-degree threshold, and in some periods the EB-3 waiting line moves differently from EB-2 — so comparing the two carefully is part of the strategy.
Who the EB-3 category is for
- You are a skilled worker, a degreed professional, or another worker.
- Most cases need a U.S. employer and PERM labor certification.
- Often the right route if you don't meet the EB-2 threshold.
How the process works
How an employment case unfolds depends on the category. Many EB-2 and EB-3 cases begin with PERM labor certification, in which the employer tests the U.S. labor market before filing an I-140 petition. EB-1 and EB-2 National Interest Waiver cases skip PERM and go straight to the I-140 on the strength of the worker's achievements. After the I-140, capped categories wait for a current priority date, and the case finishes with adjustment of status in the U.S. or consular processing abroad. Temporary work visas such as the H-1B follow their own track — a Labor Condition Application, a USCIS petition, and, where relevant, the annual cap and registration process.
Common EB-3 pitfalls
A handful of avoidable problems account for most setbacks in these cases — nearly all of them easier to fix before filing than after:
- Not comparing EB-3 vs EB-2 movement, which can differ by period and country.
- PERM and prevailing-wage errors.
- Job-change disruption without a transfer plan.
Related employment options
Not sure the EB-3 is the right fit? These related routes are worth comparing:
- All employment immigration law firms
- EB-1A — Extraordinary ability
- EB-1B — Outstanding researcher
- EB-1C — Multinational executive
- EB-2 — Advanced degree / exceptional ability
When a law firm helps most
Choosing a law firm rather than a solo attorney makes the most sense when a case is complex, time-sensitive, or likely to need several people working in parallel. A firm brings a team, dedicated paralegals, and the capacity to keep a EB-3 cases moving even when one person is unavailable — which is especially useful for employer-sponsored filings, tight deadlines, and matters that touch more than one area of immigration law.
What to look for in a firm
When you compare the firms above, weigh:
- Relevant caseload — a firm that files matters like yours regularly, not just occasionally.
- Team and capacity — enough attorneys and paralegals to meet deadlines without bottlenecks.
- A clear point of contact — someone named who owns your file and keeps you updated.
- Languages you speak — so nothing is lost between you and your case.
- Transparent pricing — flat or clearly explained fees, agreed before the work begins.
Solo attorney or law firm?
Solo attorney or law firm? A larger firm suits employers, investors and clients with complicated histories who need broad capacity and built-in redundancy; a solo immigration attorney can offer a more personal relationship and lower fees for a straightforward EB-3 cases. Immigrantio lists both, so you can weigh team size, focus, languages and verified reviews side by side — and if you would rather work one-to-one, our immigration lawyers cover the same category.
Why use Immigrantio
Immigrantio exists to make that comparison straightforward. Every immigration law firms listed here is a verified, Bar-licensed U.S. immigration practice — never paid placement disguised as a recommendation. You can filter by language, location and price, read genuine client reviews, and see consultation fees up front, so you choose counsel for EB-3 cases with real information instead of guesswork. There are no referral fees and no middlemen: you deal with the lawyer directly, from the first consultation onward.
Find a practice above that fits your situation, budget and language, then book a consultation to map out the path ahead step by step — and to get your most pressing questions answered by someone who handles these cases.