Green Card Update: Report Shows Applicants With Longest Wait Times
Summary
A new report shows that some people applying for U.S. work-based green cards, especially from India, face extremely long wait times, with some delays lasting decades. This backlog results from limits on the number of green cards available each year and the high demand from skilled workers in fields like science and engineering.Key Facts
- The National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP) analyzed wait times for U.S. employment-based green cards in categories EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3.
- Indian applicants could wait up to 179 years in the EB-2 category, 38 years in EB-3, and 4-5 years in EB-1 if applications are filed in 2026 or later.
- The backlog includes about 1.26 million people as of December 2025, up 20.6% from April 2020.
- About 79% of the backlog in these categories are applicants from India (around 1 million people).
- The U.S. State Department says annual visa limits are often reached early and notifies applicants when this happens.
- The Biden administration, continuing some policies from President Trump’s term, has increased fees and scrutiny on work visa and green card applications.
- Visa processing aims to prioritize U.S. national security and follows established laws and filing dates.
- Wait times vary by country; for example, Chinese applicants may wait 25 years in EB-2, while Filipino applicants face much shorter waits.
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