Many people ask: “My I-140 is already approved, so why do I still have to wait?” The answer is that an EB-3 case moves on two tracks at the same time. Only when both tracks reach the finish line can an immigrant visa be issued.
Track 1 – Paperwork
This is the document side; each step is reviewed by a different agency:
- PERM – the US Department of Labor certifies that the employer needs workers (how to check).
- I-140 – USCIS approves the employer's petition.
- NVC – pay visa fees, complete the DS-260, submit civil documents and police certificates.
- Interview at the US Consulate (after the medical exam).
How fast this track moves depends on each agency's processing time and on whether the case gets a request for more evidence.
Track 2 – Visa queue
Each year the US issues only a limited number of EB-3 visas. Applicants line up by Priority Date – for EB-3, usually the date the PERM was filed. Every month, the Visa Bulletin announces which date the queue has reached. For example, in November 2026, EB-3 Other Workers (Chart A) is Jun 1, 2022: only people with a priority date before that date are current.
No one can speed up this track – not even by paying for premium processing on the I-140. The chart can move forward, stand still, or even retrogress: for example, in October 2026 Chart A moved back from Apr 1, 2022 to Jan 1, 2022 (see News).
Two common situations
| Situation | Result |
|---|---|
| I-140 approved, but the priority date is not yet current | The case must wait on Track 2. |
| Priority date is current, but PERM/I-140 is not yet done | The case must wait on Track 1. |
| Both are done | Continue to NVC → interview → visa issued (if eligible). |
Why can no one promise a timeline?
Because Track 2 depends on the volume of cases worldwide and the annual visa limits – no organization controls that. Be careful with promises like “green card in so many months”. The best approach is to track both lanes yourself:
- Track 1: check PERM · check I-140.
- Track 2: read the Visa Bulletin every month.
Sources: travel.state.gov – Visa Bulletin · USCIS – Visa Availability and Priority Dates · DOL – Permanent Labor Certification.
📌 Compiled information, for reference only. Check the official version at travel.state.gov. Independent information & referral page, not legal advice.