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The U.S. State Department has officially announced that the annual cap for Special Immigrant Visas (EB-4) and related green cards has already been reached, just five months into the fiscal year.
This means that no more visas in this category will be issued until October 1, 2025, when the new fiscal year begins and the quota resets.
What This Means?
The EB-4 visa category is specifically designed for certain special immigrants, including religious workers, broadcasters, employees of international organizations, and some U.S. government workers in foreign countries.
The fiscal year for the U.S. government runs from October 1 to September 30. Usually, the limit for EB-4 visas is reached later in the year, but this time it happened much earlier, reflecting high demand.
All pending applications that have not yet received approval will now be on hold until October 1, 2025, when the new annual quota becomes available.
How Does This Compare to Previous Years?
In 2024, the limit was reached in August.
In 2025, it has been reached even earlier, in March—indicating a significant increase in applicants or a reduced number of available visas.
What Happens Next?
No new EB-4 visas will be issued until the next fiscal year starts.
Applicants who have already received approvals before the cap was reached will still be able to proceed with their immigration process.
Embassies and consulates worldwide will resume processing applications starting October 1, 2025.
This news is particularly significant for foreign religious workers, certain international employees, and other special immigrants who rely on the EB-4 visa category to move to the U.S.
Those affected may need to wait longer or explore alternative immigration options during this suspension period.
Source :- https://www.boundless.com/blog/boundless-weekly-immigration-news/
