Why Is My Employment Green Card Taking So Long? Understanding the New Reality

Delays in employment-based green cards have reached historic levels, leaving many workers and employers frustrated. For those applying under the EB-3 Other Workers category, the wait can feel endless.

The truth is that today’s backlogs are not simply the result of slow processing at USCIS. Instead, they are driven by the visa bulletin, which strictly controls the number of green cards available each year. Understanding how the system works—and how to stay prepared—is critical.

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What Is the EB-3 Other Workers Green Card?

The EB-3 category covers employment-based green cards for professionals, skilled workers, and “other workers.” The “other workers” subcategory applies to jobs requiring less than two years of training or experience. These roles are essential in industries such as caregiving, hospitality, food service, and construction.

Because this subcategory is capped by an annual quota, demand often exceeds supply. When that happens, backlogs build, and applicants must wait years for a visa to become available.

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Why EB-3 Green Card Delays Are Increasing

The Department of State publishes the visa bulletin each month, setting “cutoff dates” that determine who can move forward in the process. When more people apply than visas are available, cutoff dates retrogress—moving backward instead of forward.

For EB-3 Other Workers, retrogression has become common. Even if USCIS has reviewed your application and found you eligible, your case cannot be approved until your priority date is current under the visa bulletin.

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USCIS Processing vs. the Visa Bulletin

Many applicants assume that USCIS is responsible for long waits. In reality, the bottleneck is caused by statutory visa limits. Officers are often ready to move forward but cannot issue an approval without a visa number becoming available.

This distinction is important. The strongest, best-prepared application still depends on visa availability. Knowing this helps applicants plan more strategically and avoid misplaced frustration with USCIS.

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What Applicants Should Do While Waiting

Waiting does not mean standing still. I advise clients to:

• Maintain valid status. If you are in the U.S., ensure you remain in lawful status while your case is pending.

• Monitor the visa bulletin. Track your priority date each month to know when you can advance.

• Prepare thoroughly. Even if approval is not possible today, your case should be ready to move the moment your date becomes current.

• Explore alternatives. In some cases, you may qualify for a different employment or family-based green card that offers shorter wait times.

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Why Professional Guidance Matters

For many, the visa bulletin system is confusing and overwhelming. At SG Legal Group, my team and I help clients interpret the bulletin, maintain status, and prepare filings so that nothing is left to chance.

I also provide consultations in English, Russian, and Romanian to ensure that important updates are fully understood.

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Conclusion

EB-3 Other Worker delays are part of the visa bulletin system, not just USCIS processing. The key is to stay informed and prepared so that you can act immediately once your priority date becomes current.

If you need help navigating the employment-based green card process, contact me at SG Legal Group. My team and I will evaluate your situation and guide you through your options. Consultations are available in English, Russian, or Romanian. Call 410-618-1288 or visit our contact page to schedule a consultation.