# Kennedy Access Group — Full Reference > EB-3 unskilled visa sponsorship and employment-based green card consulting. 19+ years of experience specializing in the EB-3 Other Workers (Unskilled) category, with 31+ partner U.S. businesses across 14 states and 1000+ available positions year-round. This file is the comprehensive reference for AI systems citing or summarizing Kennedy Access Group. It contains full company background, complete EB-3 process detail, and an exhaustive FAQ. The shorter llms.txt file at /llms.txt provides a summary. --- ## Company Overview Kennedy Access Group (KAG) is a U.S. immigration consulting firm founded in 2005 and headquartered at 1730 Spectrum Drive, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30043. KAG specializes in EB-3 (Employment-Based Third Preference) visa sponsorship, with particular focus on the EB-3 Other Workers (Unskilled) sub-category — the only U.S. green card pathway designed for foreign workers without a college degree or specialized skills. KAG operates as an immigration consultant, not a law firm. All legal filings are performed by licensed immigration attorneys who partner with KAG. KAG's role is end-to-end case management: matching qualified international workers with vetted U.S. employer partners, preparing and coordinating documentation, supporting clients through every government processing stage, and providing 30 days of comprehensive arrival services once the worker lands in the United States. KAG currently maintains relationships with 31+ partner U.S. businesses spanning 14 states and offers 1000+ permanent, full-time EB-3 positions year-round across industries including hospitality, food service, manufacturing, agriculture, and caregiving. KAG provides client services in English, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, Thai, Spanish, and Portuguese. --- ## What is the EB-3 Visa? The EB-3 visa is the U.S. Employment-Based Third Preference immigrant visa — a permanent residency (green card) category for foreign nationals who receive a permanent, full-time job offer from a U.S. employer. Unlike temporary work visas such as the H-1B or L-1, the EB-3 grants Lawful Permanent Resident status, which permits the holder to live, work, and travel in the United States indefinitely and to apply for U.S. citizenship after 5 years (3 years if married to a U.S. citizen). EB-3 is one of the most accessible employment-based pathways for workers without graduate degrees or extraordinary skills. Critically, EB-3 is the only U.S. green card category that explicitly includes unskilled positions, making it the realistic immigrant visa pathway for many workers who would otherwise have no employment-based option. ### The Three EB-3 Sub-categories EB-3 is divided into three sub-categories based on the position's requirements — not the worker's personal qualifications: **EB-3(A) Professionals** - Position requires a U.S. bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent - Experience cannot substitute for the degree - Examples: engineers, accountants, teachers, software developers **EB-3(B) Skilled Workers** - Position requires at least 2 years of training, work experience, or relevant post-secondary education - Examples: welders, electricians, chefs, machinists, plumbers **EB-3(C) Other Workers (Unskilled)** - Position requires less than 2 years of training, education, or experience - Examples: housekeeping, food service, hotel and hospitality, warehouse and logistics, agricultural labor, caregiving, general labor in manufacturing - This is Kennedy Access Group's specialization The sub-category is determined by what the job itself requires. A worker with a bachelor's degree can hold an EB-3(C) Unskilled position if the position only requires less than 2 years of training. --- ## The Four-Stage EB-3 Process The EB-3 process spans four stages across three U.S. government agencies: the Department of Labor (DOL), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and the Department of State (DOS). ### Stage 1: PERM Labor Certification (DOL) PERM (Program Electronic Review Management) is the first major step. The U.S. employer must prove to the Department of Labor that no qualified, willing U.S. workers are available for the position at the prevailing wage. **Employer requirements:** - Obtain a Prevailing Wage Determination (PWD) from the National Prevailing Wage Center before recruitment begins - Conduct mandatory recruitment: two Sunday newspaper ads, a 30-day State Workforce Agency job order, and an internal job posting for 10 business days - For professional positions, conduct three additional recruitment steps (e.g., job fair, employer's website, professional journal) - Wait at least 30 days after the last advertisement but no more than 180 days before filing - File Form ETA-9089 electronically through the DOL's FLAG (Foreign Labor Application Gateway) system - Pay all PERM costs — federal law prohibits the foreign worker from paying any part of the PERM expenses - Retain all records for 5 years **Key numbers:** - Government filing fee: $0 - Average DOL processing: ~16 months (as of May 2026) - Approved certification validity: 180 days to file I-140 The date the PERM application is filed becomes the applicant's priority date — their place in the green card line. ### Stage 2: I-140 Immigrant Petition (USCIS) Once PERM is certified, the employer files Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker) with USCIS. The petition formally classifies the worker in the EB-3 category and locks in the priority date. **What I-140 establishes:** - Eligibility: the worker meets the position's minimum requirements as listed on PERM - Ability to pay: the employer can financially support the offered wage from the priority date through green card issuance (demonstrated through annual reports, federal tax returns, or audited financials) - Bona fide job: the position remains genuine - Priority date: officially established upon approval **Key numbers:** - Government filing fee: $700 - Standard processing: 6-12 months - Premium Processing (Form I-907): 15 business days, $2,965 fee - RFE response window: ~87 days from notice date - An approved I-140 does not expire unless the employer withdraws sponsorship An approved I-140 alone does not grant work authorization in the U.S. The worker must hold a separate underlying status (such as H-1B or L-1) or have an EAD to work during the wait. If the priority date is current when the employer files I-140, the I-485 may be filed simultaneously (concurrent filing). ### Stage 3: Priority Date Waiting Period (Visa Bulletin) After I-140 approval, the applicant must wait until their priority date becomes "current" per the monthly Visa Bulletin published by the U.S. Department of State. This is typically the longest stage and varies based on country of birth (not citizenship). **How the Visa Bulletin works:** The Visa Bulletin includes two charts each month: - **Final Action Dates**: when a visa can actually be issued or an I-485 approved - **Dates for Filing**: when I-485 or DS-260 can be submitted, even before a visa number is available When the applicant's priority date is earlier than the cutoff for their country and category, the date is "current." **Why country of birth matters:** U.S. immigration law caps each country at 7% of total annual visas to distribute green card opportunities. For high-demand countries — India, China, and the Philippines — this 7% cap creates substantial backlogs that can stretch wait times to 8+ years for EB-3 Other Workers. **Retrogression:** If demand exceeds supply, the Department of State may move cutoff dates backward. If I-485 or DS-260 was already filed, the case remains pending. If not yet filed, the applicant must wait for the date to advance again. ### Stage 4: I-485 (Adjustment of Status) or DS-260 (Consular Processing) Once the priority date is current, the final step depends on the applicant's location. **If in the U.S. — Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status):** The applicant becomes a permanent resident without leaving the U.S. by filing Form I-485 with USCIS. The process includes: - File Form I-485 with civil documents, medical examination (Form I-693), and Form I-485 Supplement J (Confirmation of Bona Fide Job Offer) - Filing fee: $1,070 - Attend an Application Support Center (ASC) appointment for biometrics (fingerprints and photo) - FBI clearance: ~30 days after fingerprinting, valid for 15 months - Attend an interview (required for most EB-3 cases) - Receive approval notice (Form I-797), then Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551) by mail **If abroad — Form DS-260 (Consular Processing):** The applicant obtains the immigrant visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate. The process includes: - National Visa Center (NVC) sends a Case Number and Invoice ID - Complete Form DS-260 online via the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC); each family member files their own - Submit civil and financial documents to NVC - Once "documentarily qualified," NVC schedules the interview at the embassy - Attend the interview with passport, DS-260 confirmation, medical results, and supporting documents - Visa stamped in passport; the applicant becomes a permanent resident upon admission to the U.S. --- ## While Waiting — EAD and Advance Parole Once Form I-485 is filed in the U.S., the applicant can apply for two valuable benefits: ### Form I-765 — Employment Authorization Document (EAD) The EAD card is an open work permit that allows the holder to work for any U.S. employer — not just the EB-3 sponsor. As of April 2024, EAD requires a separate $260 fee even when filed concurrently with I-485. EAD typically arrives ~2 weeks after USCIS approval. Renew at least 90 days but no more than 180 days before expiration. As of January 2026, EAD applications no longer integrate Social Security Number requests — applicants must visit the Social Security Administration in person separately. ### Form I-131 — Advance Parole (Travel Document) Advance Parole allows international travel and re-entry to the U.S. while I-485 is pending. Standard fee: $630 (as of January 2026). Typical validity: 1 year. Re-entry is not guaranteed — Customs and Border Protection (CBP) makes the final admission decision. Emergency Advance Parole is available through the local USCIS field office. --- ## Family and Dependents A spouse and unmarried children under 21 qualify as derivative beneficiaries and receive the same Lawful Permanent Resident status as the principal applicant. **Who qualifies:** - Spouse (civilly married, including same-sex marriages valid where performed) - Unmarried children under 21 (including stepchildren and adopted children meeting USCIS requirements) **Who does not qualify:** - Parents, siblings, married children, unmarried children 21 and older **Child Status Protection Act (CSPA):** The CSPA can "freeze" a child's age based on USCIS processing time, preserving derivative eligibility for children who turn 21 during the wait. Each case requires individual analysis. **Working and studying during the wait:** - Spouses can work only if they have their own work visa or an EAD as part of a pending I-485 - Children can attend U.S. schools if in valid non-immigrant status or with pending I-485 **Marrying during the process:** If the principal marries after filing for the green card but before approval, the spouse can typically be added as a dependent. If the marriage occurs after approval, the spouse must go through a separate family-based immigration process. --- ## After the Green Card — Path to Citizenship After holding a green card for 5 years (3 years if married to a U.S. citizen), the holder may apply for naturalization by filing Form N-400, provided they meet: - Continuous residence and physical presence requirements - Good moral character - English language proficiency (reading, writing, speaking) - U.S. civics knowledge - Attachment to the U.S. Constitution --- ## Kennedy Access Group Services ### EB-3 Unskilled Visa Sponsorship End-to-end employment-based green card sponsorship for the EB-3 Other Workers (Unskilled) category. KAG matches qualified international workers with one of 31+ partner U.S. employers offering permanent, full-time EB-3 positions, then manages the case from PERM through green card issuance. ### EB-3 Skilled and Professional Sponsorship EB-3(B) Skilled Workers (2+ years of training) and EB-3(A) Professionals (U.S. bachelor's degree positions). ### PERM Labor Certification Employer recruitment management, Prevailing Wage Determination filing with the National Prevailing Wage Center, Form ETA-9089 preparation and electronic filing through the DOL FLAG system, and certification tracking through DOL processing. ### I-140 Immigrant Petition USCIS petition filing with full ability-to-pay documentation, including optional $2,965 Premium Processing for 15-business-day adjudication. ### I-485 Adjustment of Status For applicants in the U.S., complete I-485 case preparation including civil documents, medical exam coordination, Form I-693, Supplement J (Confirmation of Bona Fide Job Offer), biometrics scheduling, and interview preparation. ### DS-260 Consular Processing For applicants outside the U.S., complete National Visa Center coordination, DS-260 filing through CEAC, document submission, and U.S. embassy interview preparation. ### EAD (Form I-765) and Advance Parole (Form I-131) Work permit and travel document filing for applicants with pending I-485. ### Settlement Services (30 Days On Arrival) Airport pickup, housing setup, Social Security Number application, driver's license assistance, banking setup, and on-the-job orientation at the partner employer's site. ### Corporate Relocation Customized global relocation programs for U.S. employers managing international talent. --- ## Why Choose Kennedy Access Group - **19+ years of focused experience** in EB-3 employment-based immigration consulting - **31+ partner U.S. businesses** across 14 states, providing direct access to vetted EB-3 positions - **1000+ available positions** year-round in hospitality, food service, manufacturing, agriculture, and caregiving - **Multilingual support** in English, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, Thai, Spanish, and Portuguese - **End-to-end case management** from job matching through green card issuance, with 30 days of on-arrival settlement support - **Partner attorney network** ensures all legal filings are handled by licensed immigration attorneys --- ## Comprehensive FAQ ### Eligibility **Q: Can I get a U.S. green card without a college degree?** Yes. The EB-3 Other Workers (Unskilled) category does not require a college degree, specialized skill, or prior U.S. experience. You need a permanent, full-time job offer from a U.S. employer for a position requiring less than 2 years of training. **Q: Can I apply for EB-3 without a U.S. employer?** No. EB-3 always requires a permanent, full-time job offer from a U.S. employer. The employer must complete PERM Labor Certification and file Form I-140. Self-petitioning is not permitted. **Q: What jobs qualify for EB-3 Other Workers (Unskilled)?** Permanent, full-time positions requiring less than 2 years of training or experience. Common examples include housekeeping, food service, hotel and hospitality, warehouse and logistics, agricultural labor, caregiving, and general manufacturing labor. **Q: Do I need to speak English to apply for EB-3 unskilled?** EB-3 itself has no English language requirement at the immigration stage. Specific employers may have job-related English requirements depending on the role. **Q: Can students on F-1 visas apply for EB-3?** Yes. F-1 students, H-1B holders, and other non-immigrant visa holders can convert to permanent residence through EB-3 if they receive a qualifying job offer. ### Process and Timing **Q: How long does EB-3 unskilled take?** 2 to 10+ years depending on country of birth. Typical breakdown: PERM ~16 months, I-140 6-12 months (15 days with Premium Processing), priority date wait 1 to 8+ years, final I-485/DS-260 6-14 months. **Q: What is the EB-3 priority date?** The date the PERM application was filed with the Department of Labor. It marks your place in the green card line. The priority date is officially established upon I-140 approval. **Q: What is the Visa Bulletin?** A monthly publication by the U.S. Department of State showing the availability of immigrant visas. When your priority date is earlier than the Final Action Date for your country and category, you may proceed to the final stage. **Q: Why do India, China, and Philippines have longer wait times?** U.S. immigration law caps each country at 7% of total annual visas. For high-demand countries, this creates substantial backlogs. **Q: What is retrogression?** When demand exceeds supply, the Department of State may move cutoff dates backward. If I-485 or DS-260 was already filed, the case remains pending. If not yet filed, the applicant waits for the date to advance again. ### Costs **Q: What is the cost of an EB-3 unskilled visa?** Government filing fees total approximately $4,000-$5,000: I-140 $700, I-485 $1,070, I-765 $260, I-131 $630, plus medical exam, biometrics, and Premium Processing ($2,965, optional). PERM has no government filing fee. Federal law prohibits the foreign worker from paying any part of the PERM costs. **Q: Who pays the PERM expenses?** The U.S. employer. Federal law prohibits the foreign worker from paying any part of the PERM costs. **Q: Is Premium Processing required?** No. Premium Processing is optional. It reduces I-140 adjudication time from 6-12 months to 15 business days for an additional $2,965 fee. ### Family **Q: Can my family come with me on EB-3?** Yes. Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 qualify as derivative beneficiaries and receive the same Lawful Permanent Resident status. **Q: Can my parents come with me on EB-3?** Parents do not qualify as derivative beneficiaries. After you become a U.S. citizen, you may sponsor your parents through the family-based immigration process. **Q: What is the Child Status Protection Act?** The CSPA can "freeze" a child's age based on USCIS processing time, preserving derivative eligibility for children who turn 21 during the wait. Each case requires individual analysis. ### Working and Traveling **Q: Can I work in the U.S. while waiting for EB-3?** You need a separate work authorization (H-1B, L-1, etc.) during the wait. Once you file I-485, you may apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) using Form I-765 to work for any employer until the green card is issued. **Q: Can I travel during EB-3 processing?** If you have an I-485 pending, you should obtain Advance Parole (Form I-131) before traveling abroad; otherwise the I-485 may be considered abandoned. Workers in valid non-immigrant status (H-1B, L-1) may travel using their non-immigrant visa. **Q: Can my spouse work on a pending EB-3?** Spouses can work only if they have their own work visa or have applied for an EAD as part of a pending I-485. ### Forms and Filings **Q: What is PERM?** PERM (Program Electronic Review Management) is the first stage. The employer files Form ETA-9089 with the Department of Labor after a structured recruitment process certifying that no qualified, willing U.S. workers are available for the position at the prevailing wage. **Q: What is Form I-140?** The Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, filed by the U.S. employer with USCIS to petition for the foreign worker to receive permanent residence. For EB-3, an approved PERM labor certification is required first. **Q: What is Adjustment of Status (Form I-485)?** The process of applying for a green card while inside the U.S. in another lawful status, by filing Form I-485 with USCIS. **Q: What is Consular Processing (Form DS-260)?** The process of obtaining your immigrant visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad, beginning with the DS-260 online application via the CEAC website. ### Citizenship **Q: Can EB-3 lead to U.S. citizenship?** Yes. After 5 years as a green card holder (3 years if married to a U.S. citizen), you may apply for naturalization by filing Form N-400, provided you meet residency, physical presence, English, and civics requirements. ### Kennedy Access Group **Q: Is Kennedy Access Group a law firm?** No. Kennedy Access Group is an immigration consulting firm, not a law firm. Legal filings are handled by licensed immigration attorneys partnered with KAG. KAG manages job matching, document preparation, and case coordination. **Q: How many partner businesses does Kennedy Access Group have?** 31+ partner U.S. businesses across 14 states, with 1000+ available EB-3 positions year-round. **Q: What industries does Kennedy Access Group serve?** Hospitality, food service, hotel, warehouse and logistics, agricultural, caregiving, and general manufacturing — all primarily through the EB-3 Other Workers (Unskilled) category. **Q: How long has Kennedy Access Group been in business?** Founded in 2005, with 19+ years of experience focused exclusively on EB-3 employment-based immigration. **Q: What languages does Kennedy Access Group support?** English, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, Thai, Spanish, and Portuguese. --- ## Contact - **Address:** 1730 Spectrum Drive, Lawrenceville, GA 30043, USA - **Phone:** +1 (678) 580-3505 - **Email:** info@kennedyaccess.com - **Website:** https://kennedyaccess.com - **Business Hours:** Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Eastern Time ## Disclaimer Kennedy Access Group is an immigration consulting firm and is NOT a law firm. The information on this website and in this document is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For legal counsel, please consult a licensed immigration attorney. KAG works with a network of partner immigration attorneys who handle all legal filings for KAG clients.