If you’re applying for a U.S. employment-based green card, you’ve likely come across EB2 and EB3 — two of the most common immigrant visa categories. While they may sound similar, these categories have distinct differences in eligibility, processing time, priority, and career level requirements. Choosing the right category can have a significant impact on your green card journey.
What Are EB2 and EB3?
Both EB2 and EB3 are employment-based immigrant visas that allow foreign nationals to obtain U.S. permanent residency through a job offer or, in some cases, based on exceptional ability.
EB2: Second Preference — for professionals with an advanced degree or exceptional ability
EB3: Third Preference — for skilled workers, professionals with a bachelor’s degree, and other workers
Though both offer a path to a green card, their requirements and timelines differ.
EB2: Employment-Based Second Preference
The EB2 category is ideal for individuals who are:
Holding a master’s degree or higher (or equivalent experience)
Possessing a bachelor’s degree plus five years of progressive work experience
Demonstrating exceptional ability in sciences, arts, or business
Applying for a National Interest Waiver (NIW) to self-petition without a job offer
EB2 petitions generally require an employer-sponsored PERM labor certification unless applying under the NIW route.
EB3: Employment-Based Third Preference
EB3 is divided into three subcategories:
Professionals: With a U.S. bachelor’s degree or foreign equivalent
Skilled Workers: With at least two years of training or work experience
Other Workers: Unskilled labor that requires less than two years of experience
EB3 applicants must always have a job offer and go through PERM labor certification. It’s generally easier to qualify for EB3 than EB2, but it often comes with longer wait times, especially for applicants from India and China.
Visa Bulletin Considerations
One of the biggest practical differences is priority date availability. EB2 categories usually advance faster in the Visa Bulletin than EB3, especially for backlogged countries like India and China. This means EB2 applicants often get green cards sooner, even if they filed after EB3 applicants.
However, there are exceptions. In certain months, EB3 may move faster than EB2. Monitoring the monthly Visa Bulletin from the Department of State is essential.
Can You Downgrade or Upgrade?
Yes. If you’ve filed under EB2 but EB3 is currently moving faster in the Visa Bulletin, you can request a “downgrade” and file a second I-140 under EB3 while keeping your original priority date.
Likewise, if you qualify for EB2 but initially applied under EB3, you may be able to upgrade by refiling under EB2 if your credentials support it.
This strategy is often used by applicants from India to get ahead in the green card queue.
Which Category Should You Choose?
Here’s a quick recommendation based on your profile:
Choose EB2 if you have a master’s or higher degree, or strong work experience with a bachelor’s degree. It offers faster movement in the Visa Bulletin and better priority.
Choose EB3 if you have only a bachelor’s degree or you don’t meet EB2 criteria. It’s easier to qualify but may involve longer waiting periods.
Your employer, job role, education, and country of birth will all influence the best choice for you.
Need Help Choosing the Right Category?
At HELPINGREENCARD, we help applicants determine the best green card category based on their education, experience, and current Visa Bulletin trends. Whether you’re eligible for EB2, EB3, or a potential EB2 to EB3 downgrade strategy, we’ll help you every step of the way.
Contact us today:
Phone: +91 83052 33223
Email: helpingreencard@gmail.com
Website: www.helpingreencard.com
