Sponsored employment
About US$45,000
Programme cost for the principal applicant (about US$3,000 for each additional family member), covering the legal and visa process.
Overview
The EB-3 is an employment-based green card for skilled workers, professionals and other workers with a full-time job offer from a US employer. It is not an investment programme: the cost covers the legal and visa process, and is largely refundable if the application is unsuccessful.
Investment options
Choose your route
Costs
What to budget for
Also budget for
- Government and application feesSet by the government; they rise with each family member included.
- Due diligenceBackground checks, charged for each adult applicant.
- Professional and legal feesFor preparing and filing your application.
- Ongoing costsSuch as health insurance, property upkeep or renewals.
Costs depend on who is included. We give you the exact figure for your family in writing after a free consultation.
Benefits
What you gain
Green card for your family
Live and work permanently in the US
Route to US citizenship
Lower cost than EB-5
Children can study in the US
Largely refundable if unsuccessful
Travel reach
Where this takes you
Visa-free travel within the programme's region
Family
Who can come with you
Main applicantEligible
Spouse or partnerEligible
ChildrenEligible
ParentsNot included
GrandparentsNot included
SiblingsNot included
Spouse and unmarried children under 21
Process
How the application works
About 16–24 months
Job offer and labour certification
The employer tests the US job market and files the PERM labour certification.
Several months
I-140 petition
Immigrant petition filed by the employer.
Depends on the Visa Bulletin
Wait for a visa number, then interview
When your date becomes current you file the DS-260 and attend a consular interview.
About 3–5 years in total
Green card and start work
Enter the US before the visa expires, normally within six months, and begin work.
Requirements
What you need to apply
A full-time, non-seasonal job offer from a US employer
Meet the job's requirements
Clean record and medical exam
Things to know before you apply
- —You must genuinely intend to take up the sponsored permanent job when you arrive.
- —Timelines depend on the monthly Visa Bulletin and your country of birth. In October 2026 the queue for most countries stood at about two and a half years for skilled workers and nearly five years for other workers, and it moves every month.
Ask about this programme
Ask anything about USA EB-3 Employment Visa
Try one of these, or write your own question.
FAQs
Questions, answered
Speak to an adviser about USA EB-3 Employment Visa
A free 30-minute call to confirm the route, costs and timeline for your family.
Book a consultationLast reviewed 5 Oct 2026. Figures are indicative and exclude fees unless stated. Programme rules change; we confirm current terms in writing before you commit.