EW (Other Workers) is a subcategory of EB-3 employment-based immigration for workers performing unskilled labor. This category does not require a degree or specialized skills, but typically has longer wait times.
Current Priority Dates
Current bulletin dates
(EW)Priority Date Trends
Visa Bulletin trends
09/2026
EW
Data provided byCareerEngineUS
Requirements
Basic Qualifications:
- Able to perform unskilled full-time work
- Employer provides permanent full-time job offer
- Labor certification (PERM) required
- No education or professional experience required
Quota Limitations:
- Annual cap of approximately 10,000 visas
- One of the longest wait times among all employment-based categories
Application Process
- Labor Market Test: Employer conducts recruitment to prove no qualified U.S. workers available
- File PERM: Employer submits labor certification to Department of Labor
- File I-140: Submit immigrant petition to USCIS after PERM approval
- Wait for Priority Date: Wait for priority date to become current
- Green Card Application: File I-485 (in U.S.) or consular processing (abroad)
Important Notes
- Wait times typically range from 5-10+ years
- Must continue working for sponsoring employer until green card is obtained
- Changing employers requires restarting the process
- Must maintain legal status during the application period