U.S. Immigration Glossary: Key EB-3 Terms Explained

Q: What happens if I travel outside the U.S. while my I-485 is pending?

Without Advance Parole, travel may result in abandonment of your I-485. Always obtain Form I-131 Advance Parole before any international travel while your AOS is open.

Q: Can my EAD card expire before my green card is approved?

Yes. File renewal at least 180 days before expiration. USCIS offers up to 540-day auto-extension for timely-filed EAD renewals.

Immigration paperwork is full of acronyms and legal terms. This glossary explains the most important concepts in plain English for EB-3 Other Workers applicants.

Core Terms

Priority Date: The date your PERM Labor Certification was filed with the DOL. Think of it as your "place in line." Your case can advance to the final stage once the Visa Bulletin's cutoff date reaches your priority date.
Visa Bulletin: A monthly publication by the State Department that sets cutoff dates for each preference category and country of birth. When the cutoff date surpasses your priority date, you are eligible to proceed.
PERM: Program Electronic Review Management — the DOL process where your employer proves no qualified U.S. workers are available for your position. Filed using Form ETA-9089.
I-140: Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers — the USCIS form your employer files after PERM approval to formally petition for your permanent residence.
Adjustment of Status (AOS): The process of applying for a green card without leaving the U.S., filed on Form I-485 for applicants already inside the country with valid status.
Consular Processing: Obtaining your immigrant visa at a U.S. Embassy abroad. Used by applicants who are outside the U.S. when their priority date becomes current.
Derivative Beneficiary: Your spouse or unmarried children under 21 who are included on your immigrant petition and receive permanent residency alongside you.
Employment Authorization Document (EAD): A work permit card issued to I-485 applicants while their green card is pending. Allows employment with any U.S. employer.
Advance Parole: A travel document obtained via Form I-131 that allows I-485 applicants to travel internationally without abandoning their pending green card application.
Prevailing Wage Determination (PWD): A DOL assessment establishing the minimum wage your employer must pay for the sponsored position, to protect U.S. worker wages. Filed on Form ETA-9141.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I travel outside the U.S. while my I-485 is pending?

Without Advance Parole, traveling outside the U.S. while your I-485 is pending may result in abandonment of your application. Always obtain Advance Parole (Form I-131) before any international travel while your AOS case is open.

Can my EAD card expire before my green card is approved?

Yes. EAD cards must be renewed. File your renewal at least 180 days before expiration to avoid a work authorization gap. USCIS offers up to 540-day auto-extension for timely-filed EAD renewals.