EB-3 PERM Processing Time in March 2026

The EB-3 visa category encompasses three groups of workers: professionals with bachelor's degrees, skilled workers requiring at least two years of training, and other (unskilled) workers. All EB-3 applicants must have a valid U.S. job offer and undergo the PERM labor certification process sponsored by their employer. The PERM process involves several key stages: prevailing wage determination from the Department of Labor, a recruitment phase to demonstrate no qualified U.S. workers are available, and submission of Form ETA-9089. As of March 2026, total average wait times for the full EB-3 process run approximately 2 to 2.5 years. Following PERM certification, employers must file Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers) on behalf of the applicant. Once the I-140 is approved and a visa number becomes available based on the Visa Bulletin's priority date system, workers may proceed with adjustment of status by filing Form I-485 if already in the U.S., or consular processing abroad. For EB-3 applicants, understanding current processing timelines is critical for planning purposes. Delays at any stage — DOL prevailing wage, PERM audit, I-140 adjudication, or visa availability — can significantly extend the overall timeline beyond the average estimate.