Tezzbuzz Desk- It is becoming increasingly difficult for Indian professionals working in America to obtain permanent citizenship i.e. Green Card. According to a report by the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP), Indians applying for employment-based green cards this year will likely be placed in the EB-2 category, given the current system and backlog. waited for 179 years may have to. At the same time, the estimated waiting period for Chinese applicants in the same category is around 25 years.
NFAP analyzed data from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in its report. It assessed pending applications in the EB-1, EB-2 and EB-3 categories of employment-based green cards. According to the report, Indian applicants are facing the longest delays in these categories.
Waiting time up to 179 years in EB-2
According to the report, the potential wait in the EB-2 category for Indians applying for an employment-based green card in or after January 2026 could be up to 179 years. Whereas in EB-3 category this period is estimated to be around 38 years and in EB-1 category it is estimated to be around 4 to 5 years.
This estimate has been made based on the existing backlog and immigration rules. The actual waiting period may vary depending on the number of applications, green cards available, and changes in rules in the future.
Nearly 10 lakh Indians in backlog
Under US law, about 1.40 lakh employment-based green cards can be issued every year. Apart from this, there is also a limit on giving more than 7 percent of the total employment-based green cards to the citizens of any one country.
According to NFAP analysis, by December 2025 around 10 lakh Indian employment based immigration backlog Were trapped in. This is said to be about 79 percent of the total green card stock. According to the report, the limit imposed on the basis of nationality is affecting Indians more than Chinese and Filipino citizens.
Backlog increased by more than 20 percent in five years
According to the report, the total backlog in EB-1, EB-2 and EB-3 categories will reach approximately 12.6 lakh Has reached. In April 2020, this figure was around 10.5 lakh. That means in about five years the backlog will be approximately 20.6 percent There has been an increase.
The most severe situation for Indian applicants is stated in the EB-2 category. It includes professionals with high educational qualifications or special abilities. Due to the presence of a large number of scientists, engineers and other high-skilled professionals in the US, there is a constant pressure of pending applications in this category.
What is the difference between Indian and Chinese applicants?
According to NFAP estimates, the potential waiting period for Indians in EB-2 is 179 years, while for Chinese applicants it is about 25 years. The estimated wait for EB-3 is about 38 years for Indians and about 7 years for Chinese applicants. Whereas in EB-1, the waiting time for Indians is estimated to be about 5 years.
Green Card's three major employment categories
EB-1: People with extraordinary abilities, leading teacher-researchers and some senior executives of multinational companies fall in this category.
EB-2: This category is for professionals with higher educational qualifications or special abilities.
EB-3: It includes skilled and other categories of workers along with professionals having graduate degrees.
Data from the report show that the path to obtaining a green card is becoming extremely long for Indian professionals who have been living and working in America for a long time. The 179-year estimate in the EB-2 category in particular highlights the large backlog facing the current immigration system.
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