In an increasingly globalized world, businesses seek diverse and robust solutions to meet their needs. Franchises, especially multi-unit franchisees, often grapple with staffing challenges.
Employment expert John Dorer, CEO of eb3.work, said that in recent years the EB-3 green card program has emerged as an effective tool for addressing these staffing hurdles, offering unique advantages to the franchising business model.
Through his company, Dorer is creating opportunities for franchisees in the U.S. to unlock global talent by connecting them with eligible foreign national workers to fill vacancies, reduce staff turnover and improve overall business stability.
“Staffing is a critical component of any successful franchise operation. When a franchise expands to include multiple units, the challenge of maintaining adequate, skilled and reliable staffing escalates,” Dorer said. “This issue is especially prominent in sectors such as fast food, retail and hospitality, where turnover rates are notoriously high.”
The EB-3 green card program, part of the United States’ employment-based immigration system, can be a boon to franchises facing staffing issues, Dorer said. EB-3, short for “Employment-Based Immigration: Third Preference,” is aimed at skilled workers, professionals and sub-skilled workers performing jobs for which qualified workers are not available in the U.S.
“By sponsoring eligible foreign national workers for an EB-3 green card, multi-unit franchisees can access a global talent pool, which can be leveraged to fill vacancies, reduce staff turnover and improve overall business stability,” Dorer said.
While the process may seem daunting, services like eb3.work are available to guide businesses through the application process and navigate the complexities of immigration law.
Understanding the EB-3 Green Card Process
The EB-3 is a three-step process involving the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Employers first file a Program Electronic Review Management (PERM) labor certification with the DOL to demonstrate that there are insufficient available, qualified and willing U.S. workers to fill the position, and that hiring the foreign national worker will not adversely affect U.S. workers’ wages and working conditions.
Once the certification is approved, employers can then file an immigrant visa petition (Form I-140) with USCIS on behalf of the worker.
Finally, once the applicant’s priority date is current, the applicant can apply for the final permanent residence card (green card) either within the United States or at a U.S. embassy outside the U.S.
Throughout this process, eb3.work offers extensive support, Dorer said, including providing an immigration attorney to manage the application, preparing all necessary documents, and coordinating communication between all parties. The service also helps employers navigate the PERM certification.
Benefits to Multi-Unit Franchisees
The EB-3 program presents distinct advantages for multi-unit franchisees, Dorer said:
- Access to global talent: Franchises can hire skilled and unskilled labor from abroad, increasing their potential talent pool significantly.
- Reduced turnover: EB-3 workers are more likely to stay with their sponsoring employers long-term, as changing employers mid-process can risk their green card application. This creates a more stable workforce and reduces turnover.
- Business stability: A steady, reliable workforce enables business stability, allowing franchises to focus on growth and development.
- Cultural diversity: Hiring international workers can enrich the franchise’s cultural diversity, providing a broader range of perspectives and experiences, and enhancing the overall business environment.
As the global economy continues to evolve, strategies like the EB-3 green card program are becoming more relevant, Dorer said.
“Multi-unit franchisees, with their unique staffing needs, stand to gain immensely from tapping into this underutilized resource.”
Headquartered in New York, N.Y., eb3.work is a company that provides employer-sponsored green card solutions for U.S. companies and foreign national workers seeking to work legally in the United States. The company is staffed with immigration attorneys and recruiters and works with employers in multi-unit restaurant groups, restaurant groups and the hospitality industry. More information: eb3.work
