EB-3 for highly skilled individuals is a question asked by those with strong qualifications and credentials, wondering whether pursuing EB-3 is a waste when they might qualify for a higher category. The answer depends on the visa bulletin and circumstances. This article analyzes EB-3 for highly skilled individuals so you can make an informed decision.
What highly skilled EB-3 applicants are wondering
People with a bachelor’s degree or higher, or a high level of qualification, may qualify for a higher employment-based category (such as EB-2). So they wonder whether choosing EB-3 is “beneath” their capability.
However, what matters is not which category is “higher,” but which category comes up sooner according to the visa bulletin for their country of birth. There have been periods when EB-3 came up sooner than EB-2.
When EB-3 is the sensible choice
If the visa bulletin shows that EB-3 comes up sooner than the higher category for your country of birth, choosing EB-3 is not a waste at all — it is actually a strategic choice for faster settlement.
Conversely, if the higher category is currently more favorable, highly skilled individuals should consider that category instead. This is why you need to compare the visa bulletin for both categories rather than defaulting to the “higher” one.
How to decide
The practical step is to compare the current visa bulletin for both EB-3 and the higher category for your country of birth, combined with an assessment of your application’s eligibility and waiting time.
You should refer to information about the EB-2 category and the EB-3 category, and also consult a lawyer to choose the optimal category for your specific circumstances.
Summary
EB-3 for highly skilled individuals is not a waste if the visa bulletin shows EB-3 coming up sooner than the higher category. The decision should be based on comparing the visa bulletin for both categories, not simply choosing the “higher” one. You should compare carefully and consult a professional to choose the optimal category.
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References
- USCIS — Employment-Based Immigration: Third Preference EB-3: https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/permanent-workers/employment-based-immigration-third-preference-eb-3
- USCIS — Employment-Based Immigration: Second Preference EB-2: https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/permanent-workers/employment-based-immigration-second-preference-eb-2
Read more: Overview of the EB-3 visa for US immigration · Low-cost skilled migration: Choosing the sensible option
