How Long Does EB-3 Take? 2026 Timeline by Stage

“How long does EB-3 take?” – no one can guarantee timing. No US agency publishes a “total time” for an EB-3 case, so EB-3 Vietnam does not add the stages up into one number. Below is each stage with official figures and the date checked, so you can follow along.

Worth knowing first: today the longest part is usually waiting for the Visa Bulletin (stage 4). The paperwork stages (PWD, PERM, I-140) run while your priority date waits.

Stage 1 – Prevailing wage (PWD)

The employer asks the Department of Labor (DOL) to set the wage. Per DOL, as of Sep 30, 2026, DOL was processing PERM wage requests filed in June 2026. DOL does not publish an average number of days for this stage.

Stage 2 – PERM labor certification

Per DOL, as of Oct 31, 2026, PERM cases decided at analyst review took on average (calendar days): 300 days (last 30 days) · 315 days (last 90 days) · 360 days (last 180 days). These are averages, not a promise for any case. Audited cases usually take longer – DOL does not publish a number. The date DOL receives the PERM is usually your priority date. Check it yourself: How to check PERM on flag.dol.gov.

Stage 3 – I-140 at USCIS

• Regular processing: per the USCIS processing times tool (November 2026), I-140 for Other Workers (EW3) takes about 9 months for 80% of cases – an estimate, subject to change.
• Premium processing: the employer can pay an extra $2,965 (for filings from March 1, 2026); USCIS commits to take action within 15 calendar days for EW3. If USCIS requests more evidence, the clock restarts when it receives the response.
• Premium processing for the I-140 does not speed up the visa queue in stage 4.

Check it yourself: How to check your I-140 on USCIS.

Stage 4 – Waiting for the Visa Bulletin

Per the November 2026 Visa Bulletin, EB-3 Other Workers (including people born in Vietnam): Chart A (Final Action Date) June 1, 2022 – cases with a priority date before June 1, 2022 are current; Chart B (Dates for Filing) July 1, 2022. Dates can move forward, hold or go back in any month; the December 2026 bulletin had not been published when this article went live. Read more: What is the Visa Bulletin? · Two parallel tracks.

Stage 5 – NVC: fees, DS-260, documents

After the I-140 is approved, the case moves to the National Visa Center (NVC): Welcome Letter → pay fees → complete the DS-260 → upload documents → NVC marks the case documentarily complete. The NVC timeframes page has no recent figures, so EB-3 Vietnam does not quote a number of days. Note: if you do not contact NVC or apply within 1 year of being told a visa is available, the case may be terminated.

Stage 6 – Interview scheduling, medical exam, interview in Ho Chi Minh City

• NVC schedules only when your priority date is current under Chart A. Being documentarily complete is not enough.
• NVC schedules in order of the date cases became documentarily complete and usually notifies you about 2–3 months before the interview; it cannot predict the exact date.
• Once scheduled: medical exam with a designated clinic, bring all originals, interview at the US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. If your case needs administrative processing, wait at least 60 days before asking about status.
• The consulate advises: do not sell property, quit your job or buy tickets before you have the visa.

Stage 7 – After you get the visa

You must enter the US before the visa expires – usually about 6 months from the date it is printed, and it cannot be extended. Pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee before you travel; the green card is mailed to the US address you provided. If you applied for a Social Security number in your visa application, the card usually arrives about 14 days after you receive your green card.

Sources: flag.dol.gov – Processing Times (checked Nov 10, 2026) · USCIS – Processing Times · USCIS – Premium Processing (checked Nov 10, 2026) · Federal Register – premium processing fee · Visa Bulletin 11/2026 · travel.state.gov – NVC · travel.state.gov – IV Wait Times · travel.state.gov – Ho Chi Minh City · SSA – SSN through the visa.