Consider this real-life situation:

Your net pay in your EB-3 job is $900 per month.

Your expenses are $2,000 per month.

You begin to live on a credit card and borrow money from friends and family because you cannot pay your bills.

This is the situation that many BDV clients find themselves in if they have not prepared financially before they start their EB-3 job.

When you signed your contract with BDV, you agreed to work for a sponsor in an unskilled job in exchange for the EB3 Unskilled Visa. This job will undoubtedly pay a relatively low salary, often minimum wage. You also chose an MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area): a city to live where your sponsor is located.

Before you move and start work, it's important for you to do research about the cost of living in your MSA. We recommend the site Numbeo, because you can research any area and see what housing, gas, and other important factors will cost.

If you have not yet chosen a sponsor, it is best to research locations' cost of living, and make sure you can afford to live there before making your selection.

After researching the cost of living, you will need to make a financial plan.

BDV recommends you have the equivalent of one year’s living expenses saved up before starting work (outside of your EB3 salary). Factor in your moving expenses, rental deposits, and possible fees to break a lease to move early when you get your work authorization.

If you are not yet work-authorized, start saving money NOW, as you will need savings to live on during the 12-month commitment to your sponsor.

While you are on a low salary, living on a budget will be more important than ever.

We recommend Truist bank's guide to budgeting and savings goal calculator.

You will also need to make a budget for the year based on the expected salary you'll receive from your sponsor. The general rule is that your rent should be 30% of your income. This will most likely not be the case with the low wages you'll be receiving, so you need to plan to cover your basic needs via a savings account, help from family, or splitting costs with a roommate(s).