North Carolina has been one of the several states across the country that have seen an influx of new residents since the pandemic. The state is inheriting new residents from all over the country, largely drawn by the access to nature, relatively low cost of living, and central geographic location. Nearly 400,000 people moved to North Carolina in 2019, and since the pandemic that pace has continued. The new residents are helping the state’s economy rebound from what was a challenging last few years. North Carolina’s trajectory is leading to several investments in housing and infrastructure, as well as new and improved night life options.
As the state attempts to capitalize on their promising economic growth, many employers are facing staffing shortages. Restaurants specifically are struggling to attract and retain workers. Other booming industries like construction, are attempting to hire rapidly to fulfill all the new development projects in the state. However, the worker deficit is making it complicated for both of these sectors.
If you’re an employer attempting to fill staffing shortages in North Carolina, consider hiring foreign workers — or EB3 category workers. EB3 category workers are those who have been offered a full-time, permanent position in the United States. The most popular positions for EB3 workers include construction laborers and restaurant workers, which are both currently in high demand in North Carolina. These imigrants are able to come to the United States and obtain permanent residency, and the ability to eventually bring their family over as well. This provides added motivation to be a loyal and terrific worker. On average, EB3 workers stay with their employer far longer than others as there are added complications when looking for other jobs.
The Process: Hiring Foreign Workers in North Carolina
The hiring process is largely similar for each state, but there are some nuances specific to North Carolina that are important to be mindful of. Fortunately, our team has decades of experience matching foreign workers from several countries to employers in all 50 states. The general steps are:
PERM Labor Filing
The first step for hiring foreign workers in North Carolina is to file a PERM labor application with the Department of Labor. This ensures that there are no American workers available and able to do the work you’re looking to have done.
File I-140:
After the PERM application has been approved, the next step is to file an I-140 form with USCIS. This is also known as the “Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker.”
I-485 Application:
If the I-140 form is approved, the next step is for the employee to file an I-485 form, which is also known as the “Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.”
In total the process will cost the employer around $1,000 and take between 12 and 18 months depending on the position, home country of the worker, and other factors.
What are the Benefits of Hiring EB3 Workers
There are many benefits to hiring EB3 workers in North Carolina, including:
-They can help fill staffing shortages in a wide range of industries
-They are often more loyal to their employer than other workers, as they have more to lose if they leave their job
-They are usually highly skilled and educated, as the process requires them to have a bachelor’s degree or higher OR at least five years of experience in their field
-They can eventually bring their family over to the United States, providing added motivation to stay with their employer
Common EB3 Jobs
In North Carolina there is a wide range of jobs that fall under the EB3 visa category, both skilled and unskilled. Some of the most common positions we’ve helped employers fill in North Carolina include:
-Construction workers
-Restaurant workers (servers, cooks, etc.)
-IT professionals
-Engineers
-Scientists
-Doctors
-Nurses