On September 8, 2025, the US Department of State (DoS), in coordination with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), has announced that the annual limit for immigrant visas in the Employment-Based First Preference (EB-1) category has been reached for fiscal year (FY) 2025.
Under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), the number of employment-based immigrant visas issued each fiscal year is subject to numerical limits. Specifically, INA §203(b)(1) allocates 28.6% of the total worldwide employment-based visa numbers to the EB-1 category, which includes priority workers such as individuals of extraordinary ability, outstanding professors and researchers, and certain multinational executives and managers.
What This Means for Applicants
- No EB-1 visas will be issued for the remainder of FY 2025.
- Visa issuance will resume on October 1, 2025, when FY 2026 begins and new visa numbers become available.
- Applicants with pending EB-1 cases may experience delays and should consult with their legal representatives for updated timelines.
EB-2 Category Overview
The EB-1 visa is designed for priority workers who demonstrate exceptional qualifications in their respective fields. It includes three subcategories:
- EB-1A: Individuals with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, proven through sustained national or international acclaim.
- EB-1B: Outstanding professors and researchers with international recognition and at least three years of experience in teaching or research.
- EB-1C: Multinational executives and managers who have been employed by a qualifying organization abroad and are seeking to continue working in a managerial or executive capacity in the US
In addition to EB-1, the Employment-Based Second Preference (EB-2) category has also exhausted its annual visa allocation for FY 2025 recently, affecting applicants such as advanced degree professionals and individuals with exceptional ability.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue monitoring developments and sharing updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or if you have case-specific questions.