California, like many other states has been dramatically impacted by labor shortages in industries like construction, service, and hospitality. Many policies and covid-related restrictions made it very difficult for California businesses to stay afloat and keep workers throughout the pandemic.
Now, as the economy attempts to surge back to life, they are struggling to fill out their staffs to accomodate surging demand from customers. On November 2021, the state of California had over 1.1 million job openings, more than any other state.
Restaurants in particular have been struggling to fill out their staffs for positions such as:
-cooks
-servers
-hosts/hostesses
-dishwashers
Process of Hiring EB3 Workers
The process of hiring foreign workers to come work in California is not excessively complicated, but there are a few key steps and considerations that employers need to be aware of.
PERM Labor Certification
First, the employer needs to obtain a labor certification from the Department of Labor. The employer will need to show that they have made good faith efforts to recruit US workers
I-140 Petition
The next step is to file an I-140 petition with USCIS. This petition must include the approved labor certification, as well as evidence that the employer is able to pay the offered wage.
I-485 Adjustment of Status
Once the I-140 petition is approved, the foreign worker can then file for an adjustment of status. This allows them to live and work in the US legally.
The entire process ranges from 12-18 months and the employer typically pays about $1,000 in fees.
Hiring foreign workers to come work in California can be a great way to help businesses fill vacant positions and keep the economy moving. It is important to find someone you trust to ensure this process is executed correctly.
Our team has decades of experience handling all types of EB3 Visa related requests.
EB3 Visa Explained
The EB-3 visa is available to skilled workers, professionals, and other workers. To qualify for this visa, the employer must first obtain a labor certification from the Department of Labor (DOL). The labor certification verifies that:
-There are not enough workers in the US who are able, willing, qualified, and available to do the job
-Hiring a foreign worker will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of US workers similarly employed
After going through the process outlined in the section above, EB3 workers can take advantage of the following benefits:
-They can live and work permanently in the US
-They can bring their spouse and unmarried children under 21 to live in the US with them
-They can eventually apply for US citizenship
-They can travel in and out of the US freely
-They can receive health insurance and other benefits
Despite the process being a little more complicated than hiring domestic workers, employers who are willing to go through the necessary steps will be able to find the workers they need to keep their businesses running smoothly. Additionally, EB3 category workers are far more loyal than others as they stay with their employer for twice as long on average.