U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released new approval rate data for the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2026, covering April to June 2026.
For Q3, the new approval rate data shows that:
- The O-1 held an approval rate of 91.0%, barely fluctuating from last quarter
- The EB-1A approval rate dropped to 32.2%, the lowest quarterly rate on record
- The EB-2 NIW approval rate increased to 55.3%, its third consecutive quarterly increase
How have extraordinary ability approval rates changed from FY2025 to FY2026?
Between Q1 FY 2025 and Q3 FY 2026, the O-1 approval rate remained above 90% every quarter, going from 94.4% to 91.0%. The EB-1A approval rate fell in six consecutive quarters over the same period, dropping from 74.7% to 32.2%, its lowest rate on record. The EB-2 NIW approval rate hit a record low of 35.7% in Q4 FY 2025, then rose for three consecutive quarters to reach 55.3% in Q3 FY 2026.
Here’s how the O-1, EB-1A, and EB-2 NIW rates have changed over the past seven quarters:
| Category | Q3 FY 2026 | Q2 FY 2026 | Q1 FY 2026 | Q4 FY 2025 | Q3 FY 2025 | Q2 FY 2025 | Q1 FY 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O-1 | 91.0% | 91.2% | 91.0% | 92.7% | 93.8% | 94.6% | 94.4% |
| EB-1A | 32.2% | 41.8% | 47.5% | 53.4% | 66.5% | 72.7% | 74.7% |
| EB-2 NIW | 55.3% | 48.1% | 42.5% | 35.7% | 54.0% | 67.3% | 62.7% |
Data taken from USCIS Citizenship and Immigration Data
How do these approval rates impact applicants?
Manifest immigration attorney Ana Gabriela Urizar says approval rates never mean a strong case cannot get a favorable decision. “Approval rates move for reasons no applicant controls, but the one thing you do control is how strong and organized your case is on the day you file,” she says.
If your case is ready today, the data gives you no reason to wait. Request a consultation with a Manifest Law immigration attorney to find out whether you’re ready to file.
About the Author
Staff Writer
Caryl Espinoza Jaen is a Nicaraguan-born staff writer for Manifest Law. As a writer, he strives to cover complex topics like immigration policy with clarity, accuracy, and precision.
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Immigration Lawyer to Manifest Law
Ana Gabriela Urizar is an award-winning immigration attorney licensed in Arizona and New York. With nearly a decade of experience, she advises global corporations on complex U.S. immigration matters. Originally from Guatemala, Ana Gabriela previously spent close to ten years at the world’s largest immigration firm, managing business immigration matters for leading technology, science, and financial companies. She has been recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch (2027) and Negocios Now’s Tri-State 40 Under 40.
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