From Vietnam to the United States: A Successful EB-3 Journey

When Mr. Nguyen first began researching the EB-3 Unskilled (Other Workers) visa from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, he found a great deal of conflicting information online. Some sources claimed the process was nearly impossible, while others suggested it could take many years to complete. Despite the uncertainty, he decided to pursue a legal pathway to permanent residence in the United States through employer sponsorship.

His journey began when a U.S. employer in South Dakota offered a full-time position and agreed to sponsor him through the EB-3 program. Like all EB-3 cases, the process started with PERM Labor Certification, where the employer demonstrated to the U.S. Department of Labor that no qualified and available U.S. workers could be found for the position.

After a Department of Labor audit and an extended review period, the PERM application was approved, establishing Mr. Nguyen's Priority Date. The employer then filed Form I-140 with USCIS, which was approved shortly thereafter. Although the immigrant petition was approved quickly, Mr. Nguyen still had to wait for visa availability due to the EB-3 Other Workers visa backlog.

Once his Priority Date became current, the case moved to the National Visa Center (NVC), where he completed the DS-260 immigrant visa application and submitted all required civil documents. After receiving confirmation that his case was documentarily qualified, he waited for an interview appointment at the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City.

In April 2026, Mr. Nguyen attended his immigrant visa interview. Because all information and documentation were complete and consistent, his visa was approved without issue. Shortly afterward, he and his family traveled to the United States and began their new life as permanent residents.

Timeline Summary

Milestone	Date
PERM Filed (Priority Date)	September 3, 2021
PERM Audit	March 2, 2022
PERM Approved	June 15, 2023
I-140 Filed	August 15, 2023
I-140 Approved	August 22, 2023
NVC Fee Invoice Received	September 1, 2023
DS-260 Submitted	November 1, 2023
Interview Letter Received	February 26, 2026
Consular Interview	April 9, 2026
Visa Issued	April 10, 2026

Total Processing Time: Approximately 4 years and 7 months from Priority Date to immigrant visa issuance.

Key Takeaway

Mr. Nguyen's experience demonstrates that while the EB-3 Unskilled process requires patience and long-term commitment, it remains a viable pathway to permanent residence in the United States. Working with a reliable sponsoring employer, maintaining accurate documentation, and following all immigration requirements can significantly contribute to a successful outcome.

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