Annual EB-4 Limit Reached: What It Means and What to Do Next
The U.S. Department of State has released the April 2025 Visa Bulletin, announcing that the EB-4 visa cap for fiscal year 2025 has already been reached—months earlier than last year. If you’re waiting for an EB-4 visa, you may be wondering how this affects your immigration timeline and what steps you should take next.
In this article, we explain how this announcement impacts EB-4 visa applicants and what to do next.
What is the EB-4 visa?
The EB-4 visa is for special immigrants, including religious workers, certain foreign medical graduates, broadcasters, and others. It’s designed for people who qualify under specific jobs or occupations, such as:
- Religious workers;
- Special Immigrant Juveniles;
- Certain broadcasters;
- Certain retired officers or employees of a G-4 international organization or NATO-6 civilian employees and their family members;
- Certain employees of the U.S. government who are abroad and their family members;
- Members of the U.S. armed forces;
- Panama Canal company or Canal Zone government employees;
- Certain physicians licensed and practicing medicine in a U.S. state as of Jan. 9, 1978; and,
- Aliens who have supplied information concerning a criminal organization or enterprise or a terrorist organization, enterprise, or operation (S nonimmigrants).
How the annual visa cap works
Each year, the U.S. government sets a limit on the number of EB-4 visas given out. Once that cap is met, no more EB-4 green cards are issued until the next fiscal year, which starts on October 1, 2025.
Why is there an annual cap? A few reasons:
- The demand for EB-4 visas often exceeds the supply.
- Certain groups often take up a large portion of the available visas.
- If the annual limit is reached early, EB4 visa applicants will have to wait longer for their green cards.
Unfortunately, if you are in the process of applying for an EB-4 visa or have an approved petition, you will need to wait until October 1, 2025 to move forward.
What to do if your EB-4 visa is delayed
If your EB-4 visa is now stuck in the backlog, here’s what you can do:
- Check the Visa Bulletin: USCIS releases a monthly update showing when green cards become available for different visa categories. See the latest visa bulletin updates here, and check back for updates.
- Maintain Your Status: If you’re already in the U.S. on another visa, make sure you keep your lawful status while waiting for your EB-4 green card.
- Consider Alternative Green Card Options: Depending on your situation, an experienced immigration attorney can help you explore EB-1, EB-2, or family-based green card options. Reach out to us at Manifest Law to explore potential options.
- Plan Ahead: If you’re abroad, you may need to adjust your plans and prepare for a longer wait before entering the U.S. on your EB-4 visa.
While this delay can be frustrating, staying informed and prepared can help ensure a smoother immigration journey.
How Manifest Law can help
If you’re affected by the EB-4 backlog, Manifest Law is here to help. Our experienced immigration attorneys can help you track your priority date and visa status, explore alternative green card paths, and ensure you remain compliant with immigration laws while you wait.
Reach out today to request a consultation.
