EB-3 Processing Times 2026
Current processing times for every stage of the EB-3 Other Workers green card process, sourced from official U.S. Department of Labor and USCIS data and updated as agencies publish new information.
Stage-by-Stage Processing Times
- Prevailing Wage Determination (DOL) — approximately 4–6 months. No premium processing available.
- PERM Labor Certification (DOL) — approximately 12–18 months including the mandatory 60-day recruitment period. Add 3–6 months if selected for audit.
- I-140 Immigrant Petition (USCIS) — 6–12 months standard processing; 15 business days with premium processing ($2,965 fee paid by employer or employee).
- Priority Date Wait — varies by country of birth. Most countries: 4–5 years. India and China: significantly longer due to per-country caps.
- Consular Processing / NVC — 1–3 months after priority date becomes current.
- Adjustment of Status (I-485) — 8–14 months for applicants already in the U.S.
Understanding the Visa Bulletin
The U.S. Department of State publishes a monthly Visa Bulletin that controls when EB-3 applicants can complete the final steps of their green card. Your "priority date" is the date your PERM was filed. Once the Visa Bulletin's Final Action Date for your country advances past your priority date, you can proceed to consular processing or adjustment of status.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current EB-3 wait time?
For most countries, the total timeline from employer decision to U.S. arrival is approximately 4–5 years. Processing times vary and should be verified against the latest DOL and USCIS data.
Can I speed up my I-140?
Yes. USCIS offers premium processing for I-140 petitions, reducing the adjudication time to 15 business days. The fee is currently $2,965.
How often is this data updated?
Immilink updates processing time data automatically when the DOL and USCIS publish new figures, typically monthly.