[4] For each, eligibility requirements include: Separate requirements for each category are: As of September 2012, the Department of State determined that the FY-2012 numerical limit for the worldwide employment-based preference must be 144,951, and the per-country limit must be 7% of the worldwide cap, regardless of the population of the country (this explains the enormous backlog for India and China).
[5] The application process begins with obtaining a Permanent Labor Certification, by submitting ETA Form 9089.
The applicant does not need to be employed when the labor certification is filed; a future job offer is sufficient.
[1] During the lengthy application process, many persons in the EB-3 category acquire additional experience or education, and are eligible apply for an "upgrade" to EB-2.
[3][7] As of February 2016, the Department of State application processing fee for employment-based immigrant visas is US$345.