Understanding EB-3 processing times is one of the most common concerns among healthcare workers seeking U.S. green card sponsorship. Whether you are a Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), or Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), knowing how long the employment-based green card process takes helps you prepare for relocation, licensing, financial planning, and long-term career decisions.
This guide breaks down EB3 timelines for healthcare workers, why processing times vary by role, and what affects how quickly a case moves. It reflects the most recent information available in 2025–2026 and responds to the questions that nurses and healthcare assistants raise most frequently.
The EB3 visa (or EB-3 green card) allows U.S. employers to sponsor foreign or immigration-restricted workers for permanent residency. It includes:
Jobs requiring at least two years of training or experience.
Jobs requiring a bachelor’s degree.
Jobs requiring less than two years of training or experience.
Nurses and healthcare support workers qualify under different EB-3 subcategories, which significantly affects processing times.
Because RNs qualify under Schedule A, they benefit from a streamlined process that does not require PERM labor certification. CNAs and many LPNs, however, fall into the “Other Workers” category, which faces longer waiting periods due to national demand.
EB-3 green card timelines vary based on five main factors:
The most important distinction is:
RNs frequently find that the process takes around three years, while CNAs are advised that four to six years is more realistic.
Below is the typical EB-3 timeline for healthcare workers, regardless of role. Actual time varies based on the category (nurse vs. unskilled worker).
Timeline: ~6–8 months
Every EB-3 sponsorship begins with a Prevailing Wage Determination from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). This ensures the wage meets national standards.
No candidate participation is required at this stage.
Timeline: 6–10 months
The I-140 establishes that:
Many healthcare workers ask whether premium processing speeds up the entire EB-3 timeline. It does not.
Premium processing can be used to get a decision in as short as 15 days however this does not speed up the over all process as one still needs to wait for the Priority date (see next step).
Timeline varies by category
This is the stage where the government’s processing times differ most dramatically between:
For all groups, movement depends on visa availability published monthly by the U.S. Department of State.
Timeline: ~9–12 months
Once the priority date becomes current, applicants either:
Dependents (spouse + unmarried children under 21) may apply as well.
Estimated total timeline: ~3 years
Registered Nurses benefit from being part of Schedule A, a pre-certified category.
This means:
As reflected in information frequently given to RN candidates, the typical full timeline from start to finish is around three years, assuming steady visa bulletin movement.
Many hospitals sponsoring RNs also align employment commitments with this timeline (often 3–4 years), based on what RN workers commonly ask about and what employers are known to require.
Estimated total timeline: 3.5–5 years
LPNs may qualify as skilled workers under EB-3, depending on training requirements and the employer’s classification. Their timelines typically fall between RN and CNA timelines, because:
LPNs commonly ask whether they fit into Schedule A. They do not.
Schedule A is limited to RNs and physical therapists.
Thus, LPNs often face:
Estimated total timeline: 4–6 years
CNAs fall under EB-3 Other Workers, which is the slowest category due to:
It is extremely common for CNA applicants to be told that their EB-3 process will take four to six years, reflecting visa availability and backlog realities.
Many CNAs feel discouraged when learning this—but it is normal for EB-3 Other Worker timelines.
The biggest factor for delays.
When demand is too high, priority dates move backward.
RN and PT (Schedule A) categories often move faster than unskilled roles.
India and China may sometimes face longer delays.
This only affects the I-140 stage, not the overall timeline.
Interview delays, staffing shortages, or administrative slowdowns affect timing.
Because RNs qualify under Schedule A, which allows employers to skip the PERM labor certification step. This reduces early-stage delays and typically shortens the overall timeline.
CNA roles fall under EB-3 Other Workers, which has the highest backlog and lowest annual visa allocation. This creates longer wait times—often 4–6 years.
No.
LPNs sometimes qualify as skilled workers and may experience faster processing than CNAs, though they do not receive the Schedule A benefit that RNs receive.
Premium processing only accelerates the I-140 approval.
It does not reduce the visa waiting period, which is the longest part of the timeline for CNAs and many LPNs.
Most sponsoring employers require multi-year commitments that correspond to the EB-3 processing timeline.
This is normal across the industry and is often explained as part of employment agreements.
RNs are typically advised to begin VisaScreen preparation 6–12 months after the I-140 is filed, depending on whether they hold a bachelor’s degree.
Yes.
After receiving a green card and meeting residency requirements, workers may apply for naturalization.
EB-3 processing times differ significantly for RNs, LPNs, and CNAs, due to the structure of the employment-based visa system. Understanding these timelines helps healthcare workers prepare for relocation, financial planning, licensing, and long-term career decisions.
While the process can feel long—particularly for CNAs and some LPNs—EB-3 remains one of the most stable and reliable pathways to U.S. permanent residency for healthcare workers.
If you meet the qualifications and want to pursue green card sponsorship through a U.S. healthcare employer, you can begin the process by applying with Flint:
