How many EB3 visas are issued each year?
Robert Miller
Published Feb 24, 2026
How many EB3 visas are issued each year?
The underlying issue here is that only a limited number of EB-3 visas are issued each year; a mere 28.6% of the total 140,000 employment-based immigrant visas made available annually, plus any unused Employment First and Second Preference visas. Of these, only 10,000 are allotted to unskilled workers.
How many EB3 applications are pending?
Per CATO Institute, Estimations show that that there are around 560,000+ applications pending in the EB2 category for FY2020. Similarly for EB3 India category 130,000+ applications are in backlog.
What percentage of US visas are approved?
What are the Approval Rates for Visas? How Many Visas Are Approved?
| Visa Type | Number of Applications | Approval Percentage Rate |
|---|---|---|
| B-1 and B-2 Visas | 7,585,472 | 69.8% |
| E-1 Visa | 7,252 | 91.9% |
| E-2 Visa | 48,401 | 89.4% |
| E-3 Visa | 5,974 | 97.2% |
How long is the processing of EB3 visa?
between 1 and 3 years
There are several steps in receiving an EB3 visa application. Therefore, the EB3 processing time should take between 1 and 3 years for most EB3 visa applications to be processed. Yet, it can be longer for people of some countries.
Which one is better EB2 or EB3?
Both are employment-based visas. However, the EB2 visa is the second-preference employment visa and the EB3 visa is the third-preference employment visa. This means that EB2 visas are slightly preferred over EB3 visas. If you qualify for both the EB2 and EB3 visa, it may be better to apply for one over the other.
Can a US citizen sponsor a non family member?
Can a U.S. citizen sponsor a non-family member for immigration? Unfortunately, no, you can’t petition for a foreign national’s visa or green card if they aren’t a family member.
How long does it take for I 140 approved in EB3?
How Long Does It Take to Get an EB-3 Visa? On average, it takes six months to process Form I-140. If the US government requires that you go through PERM Labor Certification, it can take longer. In some cases, it can take up to two years.
Will EB3 India move forward?
EB3 India Final Action – No forward movement expected in 2022 unless the estimated EB3 ROW demand is low. They will take decision in later part of the year.
How can I increase my chances of getting US visa?
U.S. Tourist Visa: How to Make your Chances of Approval Higher
- Employment. Having a job in your home country will not guarantee to have your visa issued.
- Family Obligation.
- Property and Personal Asset.
- Community Involvement.
- Travel History.
How many S visas are issued each year?
Congress allows 200 S visas for criminal informants and 50 for terrorism informants per year. The most criminal informant visas ever issued was 105 in 2001.
Can I work while waiting for EB-3?
Once your application is approved, USCIS will send you an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) that you can use to work in the U.S. while awaiting the approval of your green card. EAD is valid for both full and part-time work.
Which one is better EB2 or EB-3?
