US Halts EB-2 Visa Issuance After Reaching Annual Cap

The United States has stopped issuing EB-2 employment-based immigrant visas for the remainder of the 2025 fiscal year after reaching the annual limit set by law.

According to a joint statement from the US Department of State and US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), all EB-2 visas allocated for FY 2025 have been used. As a result, no further EB-2 visas will be issued until the new fiscal year begins on 1 October 2025.

The EB-2 visa category is intended for foreign nationals with advanced academic degrees or exceptional ability in fields such as science, business, or the arts. Applicants must meet strict eligibility criteria, including obtaining labour certification and approval of an I-140 immigrant petition.

By law, EB-2 visas are limited to 28.6 percent of the total number of employment-based immigrant visas available each fiscal year under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Once this quota is met, US embassies and consulates must suspend further visa issuance in the category until the next cycle begins.

The suspension also affects eligible dependants, spouses and unmarried children under 21, of approved EB-2 applicants, who cannot be granted derivative immigrant visas until the new allocation becomes available.