Seattle EB3 Visa Lawyer

Are you looking for an EB3 visa lawyer in Seattle, WA?

At Lai & Turner Law Firm PLLC, we provide immigration representation guided by years of experience in Seattle and the surrounding area.

If your employer is sponsoring you for permanent residence in Seattle and the position requires specific skills, training, or a bachelor’s degree, the EB-3 visa category may be the appropriate path. Every EB3 petition requires an approved PERM labor certification before the I-140 can be filed.

Lai & Turner Law Firm PLLC works with employers and employees in Seattle, WA on EB-3 visa matters, from the initial labor certification through the green card stage. Our Seattle, WA EB3 visa lawyer can evaluate your situation and explain what the petition process involves. Reach out to schedule a free consultation.

EB3 Visa Lawyer Seattle, WA

The EB-3 visa falls under the third preference of the employment-based immigrant visa system. It provides a green card pathway for three groups: skilled workers with at least two years of training or experience, professionals who hold a bachelor’s degree, and other workers in positions that require less than two years of training. Unlike the EB-1 and certain EB-2 categories, every EB-3 petition must be employer-sponsored.

An EB3 visa attorney in Seattle works with the sponsoring employer and the beneficiary to coordinate the PERM labor certification, file the I-140 petition, and move the case through to permanent residence. Because each step depends on the one before it, getting the early filings right prevents delays later in the process.

Types of EB3 Visa Cases We Handle in Seattle

Lai & Turner Law Firm PLLC represents employers and workers across Seattle in all three EB-3 subcategories and related filing stages. Every case begins with a careful review of the job requirements and the beneficiary’s qualifications.

• Skilled workers. This subcategory covers positions that require a minimum of two years of training or work experience. The work must be permanent and not seasonal or temporary in nature. Relevant postsecondary education may count toward the training requirement. We work with employers to document the position’s requirements and the employee’s qualifications in a way that satisfies both the Department of Labor and USCIS.
• Professionals. Positions that require at least a U.S. bachelor’s degree or its foreign equivalent fall under the professional subcategory. The beneficiary must hold the required degree and the job must be one that normally demands it. We assist with credential evaluations, degree equivalency assessments, and supporting documentation.
• Other workers. Positions requiring less than two years of training or experience are classified under this subcategory. The annual cap on EB-3 other worker visas is lower than for skilled workers and professionals, which often results in longer wait times.
• PERM labor certification. Every EB-3 petition requires a certified labor certification from the U.S. Department of Labor. This involves prevailing wage determinations, a defined recruitment period, and the filing of ETA Form 9089. The employer must demonstrate that no qualified U.S. workers are available and willing to fill the position at the offered wage.
• Premium processing. After the PERM is certified, the employer files Form I-140 with USCIS. Premium processing is available for EB-3 petitions through Form I-907, which shortens the USCIS review window. We manage the premium processing filing and handle any resulting Requests for Evidence.
• Adjustment of status and consular processing. Following I-140 approval, the beneficiary applies for a green card through adjustment of status or a consular interview. We prepare clients for either path and assist with work authorization filings during the waiting period.

Why Choose Lai & Turner Law Firm PLLC as My EB3 Visa Lawyer in Seattle, WA?

Employer-Sponsored Immigration in Washington

Licensed to practice in Washington, Jimmy Lai handles immigration law in Seattle as managing attorney of Lai & Turner Law Firm PLLC. He received his Juris Doctor and MBA from the University of Oklahoma and holds bar admissions in four states. Jimmy is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, and his dual legal and business background is particularly relevant in employer-sponsored EB-3 cases, where the petition process involves both the employer’s compliance obligations and the beneficiary’s qualifications.

The EB-3 category is one piece of our firm’s broader employment-based visa practice. Lai & Turner Law Firm PLLC has secured visa approvals and helped clients obtain their green cards across multiple employment-based categories, with time frames ranging from several months to over a year depending on the case. Because the EB-3 process requires close coordination between the employer and the beneficiary at every stage, we work with both parties to keep the PERM recruitment, I-140 filing, and adjustment of status phases on track. Applicants who may qualify for a higher preference category can explore whether an EB-1 petition or EB-2 filing may offer a faster path.

Understanding EB3 Visa Cases

Visa Categories and Eligibility Requirements

Each EB-3 subcategory has its own eligibility threshold. All require employer sponsorship and a certified PERM labor certification.

• Skilled workers must show at least two years of job-related training or experience. The position must be permanent, full-time, and non-seasonal. Postsecondary coursework relevant to the occupation can count toward the two-year requirement.
• Professionals must hold a U.S. bachelor’s degree or its foreign equivalent. The occupation must normally require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree for entry. If the degree was earned abroad, a credential evaluation from a recognized agency may be required.
• Other workers fill positions that need less than two years of training or experience. This subcategory is subject to a lower annual visa allocation, which typically results in longer backlogs.
• The employer must pay at least the prevailing wage for the occupation and geographic area where the work will be performed.

What Are Important Aspects of an EB3 Visa Case?

Because the EB-3 category depends on employer sponsorship at every stage, close coordination between the employer, the beneficiary, and the attorney is essential.

• The PERM labor certification is the foundation of the case. Advertisements must meet specific content requirements, and the employer must document the results of each recruitment step.
• The job description on the labor certification must match what is filed on the I-140. Inconsistencies between these forms are a common reason for Requests for Evidence or denials.
• The employer must demonstrate a continuing ability to pay the offered wage, typically through tax returns, audited financial statements, or annual reports.
• Beneficiaries who change employers during the process may be able to port their approved petition under certain conditions, but the timing and requirements must be carefully managed.

What Is the EB3 Visa Case Timeline?

The EB-3 process is one of the longer employment-based pathways, partly because of the PERM requirement and partly because of visa availability in the third preference category.

• The prevailing wage determination request is filed with the Department of Labor. This step alone can take several months.
• After receiving the prevailing wage, the employer conducts a recruitment period that typically runs 30 to 60 days.
• The PERM application is then filed with the Department of Labor. Processing times vary and can range from several months to over a year.
• Once the PERM is certified, the employer files Form I-140 with USCIS. Premium processing shortens this phase.
• After I-140 approval, the beneficiary waits for visa availability based on their priority date and country of chargeability before filing for adjustment of status or proceeding through consular processing.

What Should You Bring to Your EB3 Visa Consultation?

Having your documentation organized before the consultation helps us assess the case more efficiently. Gather the following to the extent possible.

• A copy of the job offer or employment letter with a description of duties and requirements
• The beneficiary’s resume or CV, including education, certifications, and work history
• Copies of academic degrees and transcripts, including foreign credential evaluations if applicable
• Any prior immigration filings, approvals, or denials
• The beneficiary’s current immigration documents, including visa, I-94, or EAD

We will review the job requirements, assess which EB-3 subcategory applies, and outline the steps for obtaining the labor certification and filing the petition. Individuals weighing their options can consider the factors for hiring an immigration attorney before moving forward.

What Are Important Washington Legal Resources for EB3 Visa Cases?

EB-3 petitions are governed by federal immigration law and involve coordination between USCIS, the U.S. Department of Labor, and the U.S. Department of State. Washington does not have its own immigration statutes, but the following federal resources are useful for applicants and employers in the Seattle area.

• The USCIS EB-3 page describes eligibility criteria for skilled workers, professionals, and other workers.
• The Department of Labor publishes guidance on the PERM labor certification process, including prevailing wage and recruitment standards.
• The State Department visa bulletin provides monthly updates on visa availability by preference category and country of birth.
• The AILA offers resources for individuals navigating the immigration process and maintains a directory of immigration attorneys.
• Seattle-area employers with business immigration needs can work with a Washington-licensed attorney to manage compliance at every stage.

Reach Out to Lai & Turner Law Firm PLLC to Schedule a Consultation

If you or your employer are considering an EB-3 visa petition in Seattle, WA, Lai & Turner Law Firm PLLC offers free consultations to discuss eligibility and next steps. We will review the position requirements, assess the beneficiary’s qualifications, and map out the process from labor certification through green card approval. Contact us to schedule a time.