Does the EB-3 depend on a lottery, like the H-1B?

No. The EB-3 does not involve a lottery. This is a key difference from the H-1B: because demand for the H-1B typically exceeds the available slots, a random selection process determines who can proceed. The EB-3 does not work that way.

As an employment-based green card path, the EB-3 advances on the merits of the process itself, not by chance. The path runs through a sponsoring employer and involves steps such as labor certification and the petition, with no lottery round to allocate applicants.

• H-1B: high demand leads to a random selection (lottery) to determine who may file a petition.
• EB-3: no lottery; what governs the process is the completion of each step by the employer and the applicant.
• This does not mean the EB-3 is fast or guaranteed: it has its own backlogs and requirements.

Since rules and procedures can change, it is worth confirming updated requirements from the official source (USCIS and the Department of Labor) or with a specialist before starting the process.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.