EB-2 Annual Cap Reached, Visa Number Issuance Paused Until October
On September 3, the Department of State announced that all available EB-2 immigrant visas for fiscal year 2025 have been issued. This means no more EB-2 Green Cards will be approved until October 1, 2025, when the new fiscal year begins and visa numbers reset. The pause does not affect I-140 filings or approvals—but it does delay final Green Card issuance for those already at the last stage.
Manifest’s Principal Immigration Attorney Nicole Gunara offers reassurance for anyone in the EB-2 waiting line: “This pause doesn’t mean your case is lost. The most important thing for applicants to know is that their I-140 approval and priority date remain secure. Think of it as a brief wait until October, when the government can likely resume issuing Green Cards.”
What the Government Announced
On September 9, 2025, the State Department confirmed that the annual EB-2 visa limit has been reached. Under U.S. law, only a fixed number of EB-2 immigrant visas can be issued each fiscal year. Once that quota is met, embassies and consulates must pause Green Card issuance until the next fiscal year begins.
Manifest’s Principal Immigration Attorney Nicole Gunara explains: “Embassies and consulates can’t issue any more EB-2 visas for the rest of the fiscal year. But the good news is that the new fiscal year starts on October 1st, meaning the cap resets and embassies and consulates can resume issuing EB-2 visas in less than a month.”
What current and future EB-2 applicants need to know
This development doesn’t affect all applicants the same way. The impact depends on where you are in the EB-2 process. Here’s what the announcement means in different scenarios:
| If you already have an approved I-140 | Your I-140 approval remains valid. Nothing changes about your petition. What’s paused is the final step of receiving your Green Card: even if your priority date is current, USCIS or the consulate cannot issue the Green Card until after October 1. |
| If you’re about to file an I-140 | You can (and should) still file. USCIS accepts I-140s year-round. Filing now secures your priority date for future eligibility. The annual cap only affects the last step (Green Card issuance), not the petition stage. |
| If you’re ready to file I-485 Adjustment of Status | You may still be able to file if your priority date is current. USCIS can accept and process your I-485, and you may receive work/travel permits while your case is pending. What’s paused is the final Green Card approval, which cannot happen until after October 1. |
| If you’re at the consulate stage | Your interview may still move forward, but the consulate cannot issue your immigrant visa until after October 1. Once the new fiscal year begins, issuance will resume automatically without requiring a new application. |
The bottom line
The EB-2 category isn’t closed—it has simply reached its yearly limit. Your place in line and petition remain secure, and issuance will likely restart on October 1, 2025.
At Manifest, we know how stressful these pauses can feel. If you’re waiting in the EB-2 line or considering whether a different pathway (like EB-1A or O-1) could make more sense for you, we’re here to help you explore your options.
👉 Want clarity on your next steps? Request a consultation with Manifest Law. Our experienced EB-2 NIW lawyers can guide you through the process and help plan your path forward.
