The U.S. Department of State, in coordination with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), has confirmed that the annual quota of immigrant visas in the Employment-Based First Preference (EB-1) category for fiscal year (FY) 2025 has been exhausted.
What Is the EB-1 Visa?
The EB-1 visa is part of the employment-based immigration system, reserved for individuals with extraordinary ability, outstanding professors and researchers, and certain multinational executives and managers. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), this category is capped at 28.6 percent of the worldwide employment-based immigrant visa limit each fiscal year.
Why Has the Limit Been Reached?
The annual cap ensures that visa issuance remains within statutory boundaries. For FY 2025, demand for EB-1 visas exceeded supply, and as of September 8, 2025, all available visas in this category have been issued.
What Happens Now?
- No More EB-1 Issuances Until October 1, 2025: U.S. embassies and consulates cannot issue additional EB-1 immigrant visas for the remainder of FY 2025.
- Applications Will Resume in FY 2026: With the new fiscal year beginning on October 1, 2025, the EB-1 visa allocation will reset, and eligible applicants may again be issued visas.
- Pending Cases: Applicants with pending cases will remain in line, but final action cannot occur until new visa numbers are available in FY 2026.
What Should Applicants Do?
If you are in the process of applying for an EB-1 visa or adjustment of status, you should:
- Monitor monthly Visa Bulletin updates from the U.S. Department of State.
- Stay prepared with complete documentation to move forward once visa numbers are available again.
- Consult with experienced immigration counsel to explore interim strategies, such as maintaining lawful status or evaluating other employment-based options.
Looking Ahead
The EB-1 visa remains one of the most sought-after employment-based immigrant categories due to its faster processing and high eligibility criteria. While the FY 2025 cap has been reached, applicants can expect visa issuance to resume promptly with the start of FY 2026.
