“I’m 45 – can I still go on EB-3?” and “I don’t speak English – is that a problem?” are the questions EB-3 Vietnam hears most. Short answer: US law and the USCIS EB-3 guidance do not set a minimum age, education level or English level for unskilled (Other) workers. The real requirements come from each job and from the immigrant visa process (medical exam, police certificate).
1. What does US law require of an Other Worker?
An Other Worker is someone able to perform work that requires less than 2 years of training or experience, that is permanent and full-time (not seasonal or temporary), for which qualified US workers are not available (8 CFR 204.5(l)(2); travel.state.gov).
USCIS states that Other Workers must meet any educational, training or experience requirements of the job – the requirements the employer wrote into the PERM labor certification. In other words, the requirements are set job by job.
| Question | What the law / USCIS says | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Age | The law and the USCIS EB-3 page do not set an age limit for the principal worker. | Ask yourself whether you can do that full-time job and meet its requirements. |
| Education | Other Workers usually do not need a degree or trade skills (unlike “Professionals”, who need a bachelor’s degree). | Read the job requirements – if any, you must meet them exactly as stated in the PERM. |
| English | The USCIS EB-3 page has no English requirement for Other Workers. | A specific job may require basic communication – check the job description. |
There are 40,000 EB-3 visas a year, of which no more than 10,000 go to Other Workers (USCIS Policy Manual) – so even when you qualify, you still wait for the Visa Bulletin.
2. Requirements set by the employer (job by job)
Among the jobs EB-3 Vietnam has posted, some add requirements such as:
- Drug screening.
- An employer criminal background check (separate from the police certificate for the consulate in section 4).
- An interview with the employer before the application is accepted.
- Own transportation to the worksite.
- Being able to stand for long periods and lift – many unskilled jobs are full-time manual work.
Some jobs note that the employer offers English (ESL) classes. Read each listing on Open jobs.
3. Not fluent in English – how does the visa interview work?
At the US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, applicants may bring 1 interpreter if they do not speak English or Vietnamese well enough to take part in the interview (travel.state.gov – HCMC page). Besides an interpreter, one support person may come only if the applicant is elderly, disabled or a minor.
Basic English still helps – for an employer interview (if required), at work and in daily life in the US.
4. Medical exam and police certificate for the immigrant visa
| Step | What to know |
|---|---|
| Medical exam | Done by a panel physician designated by the consulate – exams elsewhere are not accepted. It must be completed, including required vaccinations, before the interview; results can take up to 96 hours and go directly to the consulate or in a sealed envelope you must not open. |
| Vaccinations | Age-based list set by the CDC; without records, the panel physician decides which shots you need. |
| Everyone is examined | The principal worker and each family member (spouse, children). |
| Police certificate | Judicial Record Certificate No. 2 from the provincial/city police where you live – No. 1 is not accepted, electronic copies are not accepted, only the stamped and signed paper original. Everyone aged 16 or older must submit one. |
If you have ever been convicted, court records are also required – talk to an immigration attorney before you start.
5. Grounds for visa refusal
US immigration law (INA section 212(a)) lists grounds of ineligibility, including: health; criminal; security; public charge; labor certification and qualifications for certain categories; illegal entry / immigration violations; documentation requirements; ineligibility for citizenship; previous removal; and miscellaneous grounds.
Misrepresentation or fraud to obtain a visa is also a ground – answer truthfully and completely from the start. Some grounds can be overcome or waived, others cannot; US agencies decide case by case.
Quick self-check: Is EB-3 right for you? 5 questions.
Sources (checked Nov 2–10, 2026): USCIS – EB-3 · USCIS Policy Manual Vol. 6 Part F Ch. 7 · 8 CFR 204.5 · travel.state.gov – Employment-Based Immigrant Visas · travel.state.gov – Ho Chi Minh City · travel.state.gov – Interview preparation · travel.state.gov – Vietnam civil documents · travel.state.gov – Ineligibilities and Waivers.
📌 General information, not legal advice for any specific case. Processing times, fees and visa dates may change. EB-3 Vietnam is an independent information & referral site and does not guarantee jobs, visas or green cards.
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