Who pays the fees for the EB-3 process?

When talking about the EB-3 visa, it is common to have questions about the fees involved in the process. It is important to understand that the immigration procedure has well-defined stages, where some costs may be attributed to the employer and others to the candidate, depending on the timing and the nature of the fee.

Generally, in the first phase, the employer starts the process by obtaining the labor certification with the United States Department of Labor and, later, by filing Form I-140, which is the immigrant petition. The fees related to these stages are usually the responsibility of the employer, since these steps are measures to prove the need to hire foreign workers and demonstrate that there is no availability of qualified local labor.

On the other hand, after the petition is approved, other stages of the process are the candidate’s responsibility. For example, in the case of consular processing (when the candidate is outside the United States) or adjusting status within the country, there are separate fees that must be paid directly by the applicant. These amounts cover everything from the immigrant visa application to medical fees and biometric data collection, which are required by the Department of State and USCIS.

It is essential to remember that strict compliance with the United States immigration laws and regulations is crucial throughout this process. Given the complexity and the abundance of information circulating on the internet, it is recommended to seek reliable sources and, when necessary, guidance from specialized professionals in the area. This helps avoid scams or misleading promises that could compromise the progress of your immigration process.

Each case may have particularities, and understanding who is responsible for which costs is an important step to ensure the regularity and success of the procedure.

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.