The United States EB-4 Visa Cap Reached for FY 2025: What It Means for Immigrants

The United States EB-4 visa category has reached its annual limit for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, leaving thousands of hopeful immigrants—including many from India—facing uncertainty. With the cap exhausted, no more EB-4 green cards will be issued until October 1, 2025. This situation affects a wide range of applicants, including religious workers, special immigrant juveniles, broadcasters, and others seeking residency in the U.S. In this article, we break down why this happened, its impact on applicants, and the alternative options available to those affected.

Understanding the EB-4 Visa and Its Importance

What is the EB-4 Visa?

The EB-4 visa is an employment-based immigrant visa for special categories of applicants. These include:

• Religious workers (priests, ministers, missionaries, etc.)
• Special Immigrant Juveniles (SIJs) seeking refuge due to unsafe conditions in their home country
• Broadcasters working for U.S.-funded international media
• Armed forces members who served the U.S. military
• Afghan and Iraqi translators assisting U.S. government operations

Each year, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) sets a cap on how many EB-4 visas can be issued. However, due to rising demand—especially from Indian applicants—the annual quota has been reached much earlier than expected, leaving many applicants uncertain about their next steps.

Why Has the EB-4 Limit Been Reached?

1. High Demand for Special Immigrant Green Cards

Over the years, the demand for EB-4 visas has increased significantly. The largest groups applying for this category are religious workers and special immigrant juveniles, particularly from countries like India, Mexico, and El Salvador. This surge has led to a quicker exhaustion of available slots.

2. Country-Specific Backlogs Disproportionately Affecting Indian Applicants

The EB-4 visa, like other employment-based green cards, has a per-country limit to ensure diversity in U.S. immigration. However, because India already has a high number of applicants across various visa categories, Indian EB-4 applicants face some of the longest wait times in U.S. immigration history.

3. Policy Changes and Humanitarian Applications

Increased global instability has led to a higher number of refugee and humanitarian applications under the EB-4 category. Many juvenile applicants seeking refuge under the Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) program have contributed to the demand surge, leading to an early exhaustion of available visas.

4. Limited Annual Visa Cap

The EB-4 category receives only 7% of the total employment-based green cards issued annually. This small allocation means that as soon as demand outpaces supply, the category closes for the fiscal year, as has now happened in FY 2025.

Impact on Indian EB-4 Visa Applicants

1. Processing Halted Until October 1, 2025

Since the quota has been met, no new EB-4 visas will be issued until the next fiscal year begins. If you have applied for an EB-4 visa and have not yet received approval, your case is now on hold until processing resumes on October 1, 2025.

2. Delays and Growing Backlogs

As more applicants continue to apply for EB-4 visas, the backlog will grow, making it even harder for Indian applicants to secure their green cards in the coming years. This could result in even longer wait times in the future.

3. The Need to Explore Alternative Visa Options

Due to the uncertainty surrounding the EB-4 backlog, many applicants are now looking at other immigration pathways to continue their U.S. journey. Below, we outline some of the best alternatives.

Alternative Options for EB-4 Applicants

1. Employment-Based Green Card Alternatives (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-5)

If you are an EB-4 applicant stuck in the backlog, you may be eligible for other employment-based visas:

• EB-1 (Priority Workers): Best for outstanding professors, researchers, and multinational executives.
• EB-2 (Advanced Degrees & Exceptional Ability): Suitable for professionals with master’s degrees or higher.
• EB-3 (Skilled & Other Workers): Available for skilled workers, professionals, and some unskilled labor jobs.
• EB-5 (Investor Visa): Requires an investment of $800,000+ in a U.S. business, creating at least 10 full-time jobs.

2. Family-Sponsored Green Cards

If you have immediate relatives (spouse, parents, or siblings) who are U.S. citizens or green card holders, they may be able to sponsor you under family-based immigration categories.

3. L1 and H1B Work Visas

For applicants currently working for multinational companies or specialized fields:

• L1 Visa: Allows employees to transfer within their company to a U.S. office.
• H1B Visa: Grants permission to work in specialized professions like IT, engineering, and finance.

Steps to Take Next

1. Check Your Case Status

Visit the USCIS Case Status Tool to check for any updates regarding your EB-4 visa application.

2. Monitor the Visa Bulletin

The U.S. Visa Bulletin provides monthly updates on priority date movements. Keep track of changes to see when your application may be processed.

3. Explore Alternative Visa Options

If the EB-4 backlog is causing long delays, consult an immigration lawyer to evaluate alternative visa options.

4. Prepare for Extended Wait Times

Ensure that all your documents, medical examinations, and application details are up to date so you are ready to proceed once the new fiscal year begins.

5. Consider Legal Assistance

Navigating U.S. immigration laws can be complex. Seeking legal guidance from an immigration attorney can help clarify your options and prepare a strong case for approval.