Another sudden shift has occurred in the already highly volatile U.S. immigration arena. Following the suspension of the EB-2 employment-based green card, the U.S. government has now confirmed that the EB-1 category will also stay suspended until September 30, 2025.
This newest development of EB-1 and EB-2 green card 2025 only adds to the concerns for skilled professionals and executives from especially India regarding green card timelines and the already long backlogs.
What Has Changed?
The annual visa limit has been met for the current fiscal year in both EB-1 (extraordinary ability professionals, researchers, professors, and multinational executives) and EB-2 (persons with an advanced degree or exceptional ability).
- No new EB-1 or EB-2 green cards will be issued until October 1, 2025.
- Applications can still be filed if the priority date is current, but approvals will only resume after the new fiscal year begins.
- For Indian applicants, the final action dates remain severely backlogged, adding further delays to already long waiting periods.
How Indian Professionals Are Affected
Indian applicants’ visa delays are among the hardest hit.
- EB-1 final action dates for India remain stuck at February 2022, blocking progress for many high-skilled professionals.
- EB-2 timelines are even longer, leaving families uncertain about their immigration journey.
- Those waiting in the U.S. on work visas like H-1B face increasing challenges around job security, travel flexibility, and long-term planning.
What Should Applicants Do Now?
Despite the halt, there are still proactive steps to take:
- File Adjustment of Status Applications: If your priority date is current, you can still submit your application. While green card issuance will pause, you may gain work permits and travel authorization.
- Explore Alternate Pathways: Consider options such as EB-5 Investor Visas, Canada PR, Australia Skilled Migration, or UK opportunities, which may offer faster or more predictable timelines.
- Stay Prepared for October: Ensure your documentation is complete so that when the new fiscal year opens, you are first in line.
How Abhinav Can Help
At Abhinav Immigration Services, we understand the mood swings that policy shifts can create. For the last 30 plus years, we have helped professionals, entrepreneurs, and families navigate ever-changing immigration rules of the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the U.K., to name a few.
Here’s why applicants trust us:
- Expert Advisory: Deep knowledge of U.S. immigration categories, from EB-1 and EB-2 to EB-5 and beyond.
- Alternate Solutions: Tailored guidance on exploring opportunities in other countries while U.S. categories remain restricted.
- Proven Legacy: A track record since 1994, helping thousands achieve global mobility.
When that door of immigration narrows, Abhinav will make you find just the right door-whether that means preparing in the
US green card India update for a fiscal reset in October or considering faster options elsewhere.
Looking Ahead
The EB-1 and EB-2 freeze is a reminder that U.S. immigration is a complex and often unpredictable thing. For applicants, the key is to keep abreast of events, to be prepared, and to keep options open.
Once you know the ropes well, you need not let the almost inevitable waiting period stand between your global aspirations.
Reach out to Abhinav today at www.abhinav.com, and let our experts walk you through these challenges with confidence.
