The ultimate checklist for your EB-3 Visa document submission
As much as the EB-3 visa approval is time-consuming, it is more strenuous to collect countless documents or prepare paperwork for the application under a time constraint. And if you miss even one form or document, or fill it incorrectly, the whole process will be halted. That’s why this Green Card checklist is a much-needed guide for aspiring applicants.
Updated with the latest changes in 2025, this checklist delivers an actionable roadmap to ensure your EB-3 visa documents package is complete, accurate, and compelling. So, let’s break it down.
Gather required Forms from USCIS and the Department of Labor
The first-stage preparations begin with official paperwork of the EB-3 process:
- Form ETA-9089 (PERM Labor Certification): To be filed by your employer with the Department of Labor to validate the unavailability of qualified US workers for the vacant job position. (A certified ETA-9089, along with appendices, is a must before filing Form I-140.)
- Form I-140 (Immigrant petition for alien worker): To be filed by your employer with USCIS, along with attached PERM approval, proof of the employer’s financial stability, and your educational and employment documentation.
- Form I-485 (if adjusting status within the U.S.): Application for Adjustment of Status or to register Permanent Residence, along with supporting documents (must qualify with additional eligibility requirements).
Depending on your case, especially for an Adjustment of Status, you may also need:
- Form I-485 Supplement J (to confirm job offer validity)
- Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support, if a qualifying relative with ≥5% ownership sponsors you)
- Form I-693 (medical examination)
- Any applicable waivers (I-601, I-212)
- Identity or status-specific USCIS forms
Include photocopies of receipt notices (I-797), passport pages, I-94, photographs, and proof of lawful U.S. status (if filed inside the U.S.).
Proof of Identity and Status
- Copy of Passport biographical page: Must be valid; of the applicant and their dependents.
- Copy of Birth Certificate (with certified translation if not in English)
- Copy of official national ID (if applicable)
- Passport-style photographs: Identical color photos (two) of each applicant for each form (I-485, I-765, I-131). Follow the strict USCIS guidelines on the correct size and background.
- Copy of current and all previous U.S. Visa(s)
- I-94 Arrival/Departure record: Find and download your I-94 from the CBP website.
Translate and certify foreign documents properly
Any EB-3 visa documents not in English must be accompanied by certified translations, i.e.,
- The translator must be competent to translate the language.
- Translation must be complete and accurate, and duly certified by the translator.
- Certified translations must include the translator’s signed statement with each non-English document; no exceptions.
Financial documents to prove you won’t become a public charge in the US
Despite the suspension of I-944, the USCIS officers must scrutinize an immigrant’s likelihood of becoming a public charge. It is the duty of your sponsor (petitioning employer) to demonstrate their capacity to financially support you at 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
- Form I-864 – Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA (unlikely in a standard EB-3 unless sponsored by a relative or owner/employer).
- Copy of the sponsor’s most recent U.S. Federal Income Tax Return (and W-2/1099 forms).
- Recent pay stubs (e.g., last 6 months).
- Proof of assets (bank statements, property deeds, stock portfolios).
Evidence of work experience and education
Essential documentation to prove that you meet PERM requirements:
- Submit letters from current/former employers: These letters highlight your job duties, dates of employment, and confirmation of required experience or training.
- Provide educational diplomas and transcripts, and evaluations showing equivalency to U.S. degrees, if applicable.
These documents must match with information in the PERM application and qualify for the employer’s job offer.
Step-by-step: Organizing your EB-3 submission packet
Now that you have collected and prepared all the essential paperwork, let’s organize your EB-3 submission package, considering the reviewer’s perspective:
- Cover letter / Table of contents: Summarize the package serially for easy navigation (e.g., “Documents supporting ETA-9089, I-140, and I-485”).
- PERM Labor Certification section: Include certified ETA-9089, appendices, prevailing wage determination, proof of posting, and documentation of recruitment steps.
- Form I-140 & supporting documents: I-140 form, fee payment, receipt (I-797), employer’s financials proof, your education and experience documents.
- Translations & Certificates: Sort all non-English documents with their certified translation and translator’s attestation.
- Work experience & education proof: Label and list employment letters, diplomas, and evaluations clearly.
- Financial / Public charge evidence: Employer’s financials or I-864 affidavit of support (if applicable).
- Adjustment of Status packet (if applicable): Form I-485 with supplements (J, I-693), identity proofs, photographs, passport pages, I-94, medical exam, and waivers. Stack them orderly.
- Final checklist & labeling: A final, signed Green Card checklist must be included at the packet’s front/back for final verification by you before mailing.
Final review before you mail
Submitting all the EB-3 visa documents correctly and on time is a monumental step. So, follow this Green Card checklist meticulously, and transform this complex bureaucratic process into a manageable, structured task. However, here’s what you must keep in mind:
- All forms must be the latest edition as given on USCIS.gov. Outdated forms are outright rejected.
- Every question on every form is answered correctly. If not applicable, write “N/A.”
- Duly signed forms and dated in the correct fields (petitioner, beneficiary, preparer).
- All essential fees are included and are correct.
- All foreign-language documents have a complete certified English translation attached.
- All documents are sorted section-wise correctly and in the order listed on the cover letter.
- Prepared two complete copies of the entire packet for your records.
Fortunately, with all the current updates and revised guidelines, including fee structures, continued public charge scrutiny, and the option of premium processing for Form I-140, you can expect your submission packet to be settled as smoothly as possible. Your due diligence can significantly boost your chances of success on your journey toward U.S. permanent residency.
For the most current forms, fees, and filing addresses, always double-check the official USCIS website. This guide is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. For complex cases, consulting with an experienced immigration attorney is highly recommended.