United States
ChileCompare visas
EB-3 vs EB-4
The EB-3 is the widest route to employment-based residence: professionals, skilled workers and other workers, always with a job offer, PERM and Form I-140. The EB-4 rests not on an ordinary offer but on special circumstances, is filed on the I-360, and in several grounds the person or an organisation files it. For a Chilean with a job offer, the EB-3 is almost always the one that applies.
These two categories differ on 5 of 10 criteria. The full table is below, but if you only have a minute, these are the differences that decide a case.
Where they part ways
What it is for
EB-3 Residence for professionals and skilled workers
EB-4 Residence for narrowly defined special categories
Needs a sponsor
EB-3 Yes, always
EB-4 Depends on the subcategory
Annual cap
EB-3 28.6% of the annual employment-based total
EB-4 7.1% of the annual employment-based total
Prior USCIS petition
EB-3 Yes, PERM certification then I-140
EB-4 Yes, Form I-360
Chile's position
EB-3 None of the backlogs that affect India and China
EB-4 An uncommon profile among Chileans
Full comparison
| Criterion | EB-3 EB-3 green card | EB-4 EB-4 green card |
|---|---|---|
| What it is for The activity the category authorises. | Residence for professionals and skilled workers | Residence for narrowly defined special categories |
| Needs a sponsor Whether someone else has to petition for you. | Yes, always | Depends on the subcategory |
| Annual cap How many are issued per fiscal year. | 28.6% of the annual employment-based total | 7.1% of the annual employment-based total |
| Lottery Whether access depends on a random selection. | None | None |
| Prior USCIS petition Whether a form must be approved before the consulate. | Yes, PERM certification then I-140 | Yes, Form I-360 |
| Duration Initial term and cumulative ceiling. | Permanent | Permanent |
| Dual intent Whether you can pursue residence without risking the status. | It is residence itself | It is residence itself |
| Spouse may work Whether your partner is authorised to work. | Yes, derivative residence | Yes, derivative residence |
| Path to residence Whether it leads to a green card or is one already. | It is the residence | It is the residence |
| Chile's position What being Chilean changes. | None of the backlogs that affect India and China | An uncommon profile among Chileans |
Figures verified on 2026-09-11
This table is general guidance, not legal advice or an eligibility assessment.
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