The three EB-3 visa groups are a way of classifying applicants under the US third employment-based preference category, based on qualification and experience. Determining your correct group is the first and most important thing to do when looking into this category, since it directly affects your case and wait time. This article compares the three groups clearly.
Many people confuse the groups, leading to preparing in the wrong direction. A clear understanding from the start helps you save time and effort.
The three EB-3 visa groups per USCIS classification
Theo U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), this category is divided into three official subgroups, sometimes labeled EB-3A, EB-3B and EB-3C depending on how they are presented. Each group targets a different type of applicant and job.
What all three have in common is that each needs a US employer to sponsor a permanent, full-time position. There is no self-petition option for any of the groups. The difference lies in the qualification and experience requirements.
Professionals
This is the group with the highest qualification requirement of the three. Applicants must hold at least a US bachelor’s degree or a foreign equivalent, and work in a job that genuinely requires a bachelor’s degree.
One important point: for this group, other experience and education cannot substitute for a bachelor’s degree. If the job requires a college degree and the applicant does not have one, the case does not fit this group. This is a clear distinguishing point from the other two groups.
Skilled Workers
This group is for jobs requiring at least 2 years of training or experience, of a non-seasonal nature. Unlike the Professionals group, Skilled Workers does not require a college degree, focusing instead on trade skills and practical experience.
Post-secondary vocational training may count toward the training requirement. Typical occupations include welders, electricians, chefs and technicians. This group suits many Vietnamese workers who have stuck with a specific trade for many years.
Other Workers
This group is for jobs requiring less than 2 years of training or experience, and has the lowest entry bar. Common jobs include caregiving, kitchen assistants, housekeeping and packing.
Although easy to access, this group has the tightest annual quota, which also includes dependents within that limit. As a result, the priority date wait time for Other Workers is usually significantly longer than the other two groups.
So sánh nhanh ba nhóm
To put it simply, the three groups can be summarized in descending order of requirements: Professionals need a bachelor’s degree, Skilled Workers need 2 years of experience, Other Workers need less than 2 years of training. For wait time, the trend usually runs the other way: Other Workers wait longest due to the limited quota.
Choosing the right group is not about picking the “easiest” one, but about choosing the group that accurately reflects your actual qualification and job. Declaring the wrong group relative to your actual profile is one of the reasons cases get denied.
Summary
The three EB-3 visa groups serve three different types of applicants, from those with a college degree to general laborers. You need to honestly compare your qualification and job against each group’s requirements, rather than choosing based on feeling. Identifying the correct group from the start is the foundation of a solid case.
References
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) – https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/permanent-workers/employment-based-immigration-third-preference-eb-3
Read more: Overview of the EB-3 visa for US immigration · US Migration under EB-3: A-Z Guide for Vietnamese Applicants 2026
