U.S. Department of State

In plain terms: the U.S. Department of State is the federal agency that runs U.S. embassies and consulates abroad and issues immigrant visas to workers outside the U.S.

In an EB-3 case, the State Department publishes the monthly Visa Bulletin, which shows when a worker’s priority date allows them to receive a green card. For workers outside the U.S., its National Visa Center collects the worker’s documents after the I-140 is approved, and a U.S. embassy or consulate interviews the worker and issues the immigrant visa.

What it means for you: the employer usually doesn’t deal with the State Department directly. Its Visa Bulletin decides when the sponsored worker can get the green card, and for workers abroad, its consulate interview decides when the worker can travel and start work.