On September 9, 2025, the US Department of State (DoS), in coordination with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), has confirmed that all available immigrant visas in the Employment-Based Third Preference (EB-3) category and the “Other Workers” (EW) subcategory have been issued for fiscal year (FY) 2025.
Under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), the number of employment-based immigrant visas is subject to annual numerical limits. INA §203(b)(3) allocates 28.6% of the total worldwide employment-based visa numbers to the EB-3 category, which includes skilled workers, professionals, and other workers. Of this allocation, up to 10,000 visas are reserved for the EW subcategory, which covers positions requiring less than two years of training or experience.
What This Means for Applicants
- No EB-3 visas will be issued for the remainder of FY 2025.
- Visa issuance will resume on October 1, 2025, when FY 2026 begins and new visa numbers become available.
- Applicants with pending EB-3 cases may experience delays and should consult with their legal representatives for updated timelines.
EB-3 Category Overview
The EB-3 visa is designed for foreign nationals seeking permanent residence in the US based on employment. It includes:
- Skilled Workers: Individuals with at least two years of job experience or training.
- Professionals: Individuals holding a US bachelor’s degree or foreign equivalent.
- Other Workers (EW): Individuals performing unskilled labor requiring less than two years of training or experience.
This development follows similar announcements for the EB-1 and EB-2 categories, which have also reached their respective annual limits for FY 2025, signaling widespread unavailability across multiple employment-based visa classifications.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue monitoring developments and sharing updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or if you have case-specific questions.