Under the EB3 program, your sponsor employer is obligated to pay you the highest of the three wages below:

1) Minimum wage for the state or municipality

2) Offered wage as listed on the Labor Certification

3) Current market wage they are paying for that position in that location to non-BDV employees

Your sponsor is aware of this requirement, and BDV has confirmed your sponsor's appropriate salary for the position.

Please keep in mind that different shifts may also occasionally have different wages as well (eg. night shift may be slightly higher, but not always). The wage listed on your Job Offer Letter will indicate the minimum amount that you will be paid.

Finally, please keep in mind that State, local and Federal taxes may make your net earnings different than your peers. The employer has no control over the obligations of paycheck withholdings for mandatory tax purposes. This withholding will relate to your W4 and number of deductions or other withholdings required or voluntary. Do check your paystubs for accuracy and do not be afraid to ask questions, first to your manager or HR at your work, and then to BDV if you still have questions.

However, please do not contact your sponsor before you start work concerning your salary or anything else. Our BDV Client Services Team is here to answer any questions you may have, so you can contact your Client Services Specialist if you have other questions.

Also, please do not go in to your orientation requesting a salary raise. Accept what you are first given, prove yourself with hard work, and then have another conversation with your manager if you still request a higher salary. All raises are the final decision of the sponsor.

Many food service jobs provide tips (these would be employers outside of QSRs - Quick Service Restaurants or "fast food"). There is no rule against accepting tips as an EB-3 worker. So long as the base salary meets the LC or current minimum wage, whichever is higher, it is fine to accept tips on top of your paycheck. Remember you may need to report these on your taxes at year-end, so keep a record of al your tips received.
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We understand it is difficult to survive on a minimum wage salary. The EB3 Unskilled visa is based on entry-level jobs that are low-skill, and most of these will pay minimum wage.

Please see this article for suggestions on ways to be frugal during your commitment to your sponsor.