H1B vs. EB3 Visas: Differences and Similarities

There are various employment-based U.S. visas. They’re categorized into two main groups: non-immigrant (temporary) visas and immigrant (permanent) visas. H1B visa is a non-immigrant visa for a temporary stay in the United States. EB3 visa belongs to the category of EB visas which are permanent U.S. visas.

Below, we discuss both of these visa types and share with you their main characteristics as well as their purposes.

EB3 Visa

EB3 visa is an employment-based immigrant visa that belongs to the Green Card category. Namely, obtaining this visa leads to U.S. permanent residency. This visa is for workers who plan to come to the United States and receive employment from a U.S. sponsor.

There are three subcategories of the EB3 visa:

• Skilled workers with a minimum of 2 years of work experience (includes all workers who can demonstrate their skills and possess at least two years of relevant experience, education, or training);
• Professionals with a bachelor’s degree (requires that the applicant demonstrates that they possess a bachelor’s degree or a foreign equivalent degree);
• Unskilled workers who perform unskilled labor requiring less than two years of training (required to demonstrate their abilities to perform labor that is not of a temporary nature).

EB3 Visa Application Process

To apply for the EB3 visa, your employer must file an immigrant petition for alien workers. This visa requires that your petition goes through the PERM Labor Certification Process. Your employer must file an immigrant petition and prove that they’ll be able to pay you for the work you’ll be doing.
The EB3 visa allows you to bring your family members with you as well. Specifically, your spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21. Furthermore, the processing time for this visa is usually one to three years.

H1B visa

H1B visa is also known as a Person in Specialty Occupation visa. This temporary, non-immigrant visa is intended for workers who plan to work in the United States. Thus, your employer in the United States starts the visa application. H1B visa is actually ‘dual intent’ which means that holders of this visa have an opportunity to become eligible to apply for a Green Card.

H1B Visa Application Process

Processing time for the H1B visa is usually from two to four months, but it varies depending on the case. As for the validity, the H1B visa is typically valid for six years. After the six-year period, you’ll either have to renew your visa or apply for a Green Card. Consequently, you’ll be able to maintain your lawful status in the United States and won’t have to leave the country.

H1B visa requires one of the following:

• Possession of a degree (Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree, or Doctoral Degree);
• Advanced training or vocational skills (including fashion modeling);
• Qualification to work in research and development projects.

H1B visas are usually associated with high-tech jobs. Some examples of H1B visa job positions include accountant, architect, biologist, chemist, civil engineer, college or university professor, economist, electrical engineer, teacher, therapist, and others.

The downside of this visa category is that there is an annual cap on the number of H1B visas. H1B visa applications go through the lottery system, which is entirely randomized.

Which Visa Do I Choose?

Since it takes a lot less to process the H1B visa than the EB3 visa, the majority of people opt for the H1B visa. Furthermore, working on this visa enables you to eventually apply for a Green Card. You'll be a step closer to U.S. citizenship without waiting for years outside of the United States.

As for the costs, the H1B visa is a bit more expensive than the EB3 visa. Considering that the process itself is a lot quicker, the H1B visa may be a better option if you’re short on time.