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The U.S. Department of State has announced that no additional EB-2 green cards will be issued for the remainder of fiscal year 2025. The annual cap for the employment-based second preference category has been reached, making it “unavailable” until the start of the new fiscal year on October 1, 2025.
During this time, U.S. embassies and consulates cannot issue EB-2 immigrant visas, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) cannot approve EB-2 adjustment of status applications. USCIS is expected, however, to continue accepting filings that remain current under the September Visa Bulletin.
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What This Means for You
- You can still file: USCIS should continue accepting EB-2 adjustment of status applications in September if your case is current under the Visa Bulletin.
- No green card approvals until October: Even if you file now, your case cannot be approved until visa numbers are released with the new fiscal year.
- October reset: The annual visa cap will reset on October 1, 2025, when EB-2 approvals and visa issuance may resume.
- Benefits of filing: Submitting your application on time can secure work authorization and travel permission, even while you wait for a green card number.
A Closer Look
Each year, U.S. law limits the number of EB-2 visas that can be issued worldwide. For FY 2025, that limit has already been met due to high demand. As a result, pending EB-2 cases will remain on hold until the new fiscal year begins.
Applicants with scheduled adjustment of status interviews should still attend, but officers may hold final decisions until visa numbers are available. New EB-2 visa numbers will become available on October 1, 2025. At that point, USCIS and consular posts can begin approving cases again, depending on how many visas are allocated for the new fiscal year.
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If your EB-2 case is current, file now. You’ll be able to work and travel, even though your green card can’t be approved until October.
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The U.S. Department of State has announced that no additional EB-2 green cards will be issued for the remainder of fiscal year 2025. The annual cap for the employment-based second preference category has been reached, making it “unavailable” until the start of the new fiscal year on October 1, 2025.
During this time, U.S. embassies and consulates cannot issue EB-2 immigrant visas, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) cannot approve EB-2 adjustment of status applications. USCIS is expected, however, to continue accepting filings that remain current under the September Visa Bulletin.
{{tip-component-1}}
What This Means for You
- You can still file: USCIS should continue accepting EB-2 adjustment of status applications in September if your case is current under the Visa Bulletin.
- No green card approvals until October: Even if you file now, your case cannot be approved until visa numbers are released with the new fiscal year.
- October reset: The annual visa cap will reset on October 1, 2025, when EB-2 approvals and visa issuance may resume.
- Benefits of filing: Submitting your application on time can secure work authorization and travel permission, even while you wait for a green card number.
A Closer Look
Each year, U.S. law limits the number of EB-2 visas that can be issued worldwide. For FY 2025, that limit has already been met due to high demand. As a result, pending EB-2 cases will remain on hold until the new fiscal year begins.
Applicants with scheduled adjustment of status interviews should still attend, but officers may hold final decisions until visa numbers are available. New EB-2 visa numbers will become available on October 1, 2025. At that point, USCIS and consular posts can begin approving cases again, depending on how many visas are allocated for the new fiscal year.
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