35 EB-2 NIW Visa Statistics Every Applicant Should Know in 2026

‍Comprehensive data compiled from USCIS records, immigration law firms, and government sources

Key Takeaways

• Approval rates have dropped dramatically — EB-2 NIW approval rates crashed to 43.31% in FY 2024, down from the historical 90%+ rates seen between 2018-2023, making expert legal guidance essential for success
• Application volume surged 190% in two years — USCIS received 63,549 EB-2 NIW petitions in FY2024 compared to just 22,049 in FY2022, creating unprecedented competition and longer wait times
• STEM professionals maintain competitive advantages — While overall rates declined, STEM applicants show strength, demonstrating the importance of field selection and petition strategy
• Processing times increased 77% since 2023 — Standard I-140 processing now takes 14 to 19 months, though premium processing delivers decisions within 45 business days
• Indian applicants face significant wait times — Priority date backlogs mean Indian nationals filing today may wait over a decade, making early filing and proper strategy critical

EB-2 NIW Approval Rate Statistics

1. EB-2 NIW approval rate dropped to 43.31% in FY 2024, down from 79.99% in FY 2023. This represents a staggering 46% decrease in just one fiscal year. The dramatic decline signals USCIS's stricter adjudication standards and emphasizes the need for stronger petition packages. Working with experienced immigration legal services can help applicants avoid common pitfalls that lead to denials.

2. Approval rates recovered to 62.8% in Q1 FY 2025 (October-December 2024). After the FY 2024 slump, Q1 FY 2025 showed improvement as USCIS worked through backlogs and applicants adapted to new standards. This partial recovery suggests that well-documented petitions can still succeed despite tighter scrutiny.

3. EB-2 NIW approval rate rose to 67.3% in Q2 FY 2025 (January-March 2025). The upward trend continued with 67.3% approval rate in the second quarter, indicating stabilization. This demonstrates that quality applications with proper evidence continue to achieve positive outcomes.

4. Approval rate fell to an all-time low of 54.0% in Q3 FY 2025 (April-June 2025). The Q3 FY 2025 drop to 54% marked the lowest approval rate on record, demonstrating continued volatility. This fluctuation underscores the importance of submitting petitions that exceed minimum requirements.

5. USCIS historically approved over 90% of EB-2 NIW petitions from FY 2018-FY 2023. For five consecutive years, approval rates remained at 90% or above, creating expectations that no longer reflect current reality. The shift from near-automatic approval to selective adjudication requires applicants to significantly strengthen their evidence packages.

6. Denial rate increased from 16.65% in FY 2023 to 17.71% in FY 2024. Beyond approvals, the denial rate rise means more applicants face outright rejections rather than Requests for Evidence. A denied petition not only wastes time and money but can complicate future immigration applications.

7. Pending EB-2 NIW cases surged from 3.36% in FY 2023 to 38.98% in FY 2024. The massive pending case increase indicates USCIS processing capacity struggles to match demand. Many applications now sit in limbo for extended periods, creating uncertainty for applicants planning career and life decisions.

Application Volume & Demand Statistics

8. USCIS received 63,549 EB-2 NIW petitions in FY2024 compared to 22,049 in FY2022. This 190% increase in just two years has overwhelmed processing capacity. The dramatic demand spike means stronger applications are essential to stand out from the flood of submissions.

9. In FY 2023, 43% of all EB-2 petitions were NIWs, nearly double the 26% from FY 2022. The NIW share doubled, indicating more applicants are choosing self-petition routes over employer-sponsored options. This trend reflects both increased awareness and the appeal of not requiring job offers.

10. NIW requests almost doubled from 21,990 in FY 2022 to 39,810 in FY 2023. The near-doubling of filings within a single year demonstrates the category's growing popularity. More competition means higher standards for what constitutes a successful petition.

11. Total EB-2 receipts increased by 20% from 70,600 in FY 2021 to 84,470 in FY 2022. Even before the recent surge, EB-2 demand climbed. This sustained growth reflects the category's appeal for skilled professionals seeking permanent residency.

12. Adjudication volumes fluctuated significantly in FY 2025. Processing capacity constraints and staffing challenges have created variable decision volumes across quarters. These fluctuations mean longer and less predictable waits for pending applicants.

Processing Time Statistics

13. Standard EB-2 NIW processing takes 14 to 19 months for I-140 approval. Current wait times at Texas and Nebraska Service Centers range 14 to 19 months for regular processing. This extended timeline requires applicants to plan well ahead for career transitions or status changes.

14. Premium processing reduces I-140 processing to 45 business days for an additional fee. Applicants needing faster decisions can opt for 45-business-day premium processing, with the fee set at $2,965 effective March 1, 2026. The fee provides certainty of a timely response, not guaranteed approval, as USCIS may still issue RFEs within that timeframe.

15. EB-2 pending inventory has grown to over 80,000 cases as of 2025. The substantial backlog creates processing uncertainty across all service centers. Early filing becomes increasingly important as backlogs compound.

Country-Specific Statistics

16. China had 1,173 EB-2 NIW I-140 approvals in Q1 FY2025, representing 24.8% of total approvals. Chinese nationals represent the largest approval share, reflecting strong demand from this applicant pool.

17. India had 713 EB-2 NIW I-140 approvals in Q1 FY2025, representing 15.1% of total approvals. Indian applicants comprise the second-largest approval group despite facing the longest wait times for visa availability.

18. EB-2 NIW India wait times extend significantly for recent applicants. Based on current Visa Bulletin patterns, Indian nationals face extended waits from I-140 approval to green card issuance. This extended timeline makes early filing crucial to secure the earliest possible priority date.

19. EB-2 priority dates for India show substantial backlogs. The Visa Bulletin reveals priority date movement that creates multi-year waits for Indian applicants. Understanding the visa bulletin is essential for Indian applicants planning their timeline.

20. EB-2 priority dates for India advance slowly each year. Historical Visa Bulletin data shows gradual advancement, requiring Indian applicants to plan for extended timelines or consider alternative pathways.

21. Iran had 364 EB-2 NIW I-140 approvals in Q1 FY2025, representing 7.7% of total approvals. Iranian nationals represent a significant approval share, with generally current priority dates allowing faster green card completion.

22. Nigeria had 340 EB-2 NIW I-140 approvals in Q1 FY2025, representing 7.2% of total approvals. Nigerian applicants comprise another substantial approval group, also benefiting from current priority dates.

Annual Visa Limit Statistics

23. Annual limit for EB-2 visas is 28.6% of the worldwide employment limit (approximately 40,040 visas). The 28.6% allocation caps total EB-2 issuances across all countries, with per-country limits creating additional constraints.

24. All available EB-2 visas for FY 2025 were issued by September 2, 2025. The early depletion of FY 2025 visas meant no additional EB-2 green cards could be issued until October 2025. This demonstrates the intense demand exceeding available supply.

Historical Trend Statistics

25. EB-2 approvals increased by 60% from 57,810 in FY 2021 to 92,280 in FY 2022. The 60% approval increase reflected USCIS efforts to reduce pandemic-era backlogs and process accumulated applications.

26. EB-2 approvals decreased about 12% from 92,280 in FY 2022 to 81,380 in FY 2023. After the surge, approvals declined 12% as USCIS processing normalized and application quality received greater scrutiny.

27. Approval rates remained at 90% or above throughout FY 2018−FY 2023. For six fiscal years, approval rates stayed above 90%, creating expectations that applications meeting minimum requirements would succeed.

28. Total EB-2 receipts in STEM job categories fluctuated from FY 2022 to FY 2023. STEM EB-2 patterns reflected changing economic conditions in the technology sector.

29. EB-2 receipts in non-STEM job categories showed growth from FY 2022 to FY 2023. The non-STEM increase indicates broader adoption of EB-2 NIW across professional fields.

EB-1A Comparison Statistics

30. EB-1A approval rate was 60.65% in FY 2024, down from 70.50% in FY 2023. The EB-1A decline mirrors EB-2 NIW trends, though EB-1A maintains higher absolute approval rates.

31. EB-1A denial rate increased from 19.35% in FY 2023 to 23.32% in FY 2024. The 4-point denial increase shows USCIS tightening standards across extraordinary ability categories.

32. EB-1A approval rate recovered to 74.9% in Q1 FY 2025, at the historical mean of 74%. EB-1A rates stabilized faster than EB-2 NIW, suggesting this category may offer better odds for highly qualified applicants. Learn more about the EB-1A visa requirements.

33. China had 912 EB-1A I-140 approvals in Q1 FY2025, representing 19.3% of total EB-1A approvals. Chinese nationals show strong EB-1A performance, often filing both EB-1A and EB-2 NIW petitions simultaneously to maximize options.

34. India had 813 EB-1A I-140 approvals in Q1 FY2025, representing 17.2% of total EB-1A approvals. Indian applicants achieve substantial EB-1A approvals and may benefit from EB-1's generally current priority dates compared to EB-2's extended backlogs.

35. Q1 FY 2025 saw robust EB-1A adjudication volumes. EB-1A processing remained strong, indicating USCIS prioritizes this category. Researchers often qualify for both EB-1A and EB-2 NIW.

Why These Statistics Matter for Your EB-2 NIW Application

The data paints a clear picture: the EB-2 NIW landscape has fundamentally changed. What once functioned as a relatively straightforward pathway with 90%+ approval rates now demands sophisticated legal strategy and comprehensive evidence packages.

Key takeaways from the statistics:

• Professional representation is essential — With approval rates fluctuating between 43-67%, the quality of your petition directly determines success. Alma's attorney-led approach and 99%+ approval rate significantly outperform national averages.

• STEM and healthcare applicants hold advantages — USCIS data shows clear patterns favoring certain professional fields. Non-STEM applicants need stronger evidence of national benefit, while STEM professionals should leverage their inherent advantage through proper petition structure.

• Early filing matters more than ever — Processing times exceeding 19 months and substantial backlogs mean priority dates establish your place in line. Alma's 2-week document guarantee helps secure earlier priority dates.

• Budget realistically — Government fees and legal services represent a significant investment. Alma's flat-rate $10,000 EB-2 NIW fee provides cost certainty while including comprehensive legal services.

Ready to start your EB-2 NIW journey with confidence? Get started with Alma for a free consultation with experienced immigration attorneys who understand these statistics and how to position your case for success.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current EB-2 NIW approval rate?

EB-2 NIW approval rates have fluctuated significantly, dropping to 43.31% in FY 2024 before partially recovering to 67.3% in Q2 FY 2025 and falling to 54% in Q3 FY 2025. These rates contrast sharply with the historical 90%+ approval rates seen from 2018-2023. STEM professionals demonstrate particularly strong outcomes compared to non-STEM fields.

How long does EB-2 NIW processing take in 2025?

Standard EB-2 NIW I-140 processing currently takes 14 to 19 months at Texas and Nebraska Service Centers. Premium processing is available for $2,965 (effective March 1, 2026), guaranteeing a decision within 45 business days. Processing times have increased substantially since 2023 due to application volume growth and backlog accumulation.

What is the total cost for an EB-2 NIW application?

Complete EB-2 NIW applications require budgeting for government fees, attorney fees, and supporting documentation. Government fees include $715 for I-140 filing, optional premium processing, and Adjustment of Status fees. Alma offers EB-2 NIW services at $10,000 with flat-rate pricing that includes platform access and administrative support.

How long do Indian nationals wait for EB-2 green cards?

Indian EB-2 applicants face extended wait times from I-140 approval to green card issuance under current Visa Bulletin patterns. Priority dates advance gradually each year, creating multi-year timelines. This makes early filing and potentially pursuing concurrent EB-1A petitions strategically important.

How does EB-2 NIW compare to EB-1A approval rates?

EB-1A approval rates remain higher than EB-2 NIW, with 74.9% approval in Q1 FY 2025 compared to 62.8% for EB-2 NIW in the same period. Additionally, EB-1A priority dates are generally current for most countries, avoiding the extended backlogs affecting EB-2. Highly accomplished applicants often file both EB-1A and EB-2 NIW petitions simultaneously to maximize options and secure earlier green card issuance.