US runs out of EB-2 visas for Indians this fiscal year, pauses fresh issuances until October

The United States has reached its annual limit for Employment-Based Second Preference (EB-2) immigrant visas for Indian nationals, prompting authorities to stop issuing visas under the category for the remainder of fiscal year 2026.

In a notice issued by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), embassies and consulates worldwide were instructed not to issue any further EB-2 immigrant visas to applicants chargeable to India until the next fiscal year begins on October 1, 2026. The suspension comes after all available visa numbers allocated to India under the category were fully utilised.

The decision affects one of the most sought-after immigration routes for highly skilled Indian professionals seeking permanent residency in the United States. While applicants can continue with parts of the immigration process, no new EB-2 immigrant visas can be issued until fresh visa numbers become available in FY2027.

Annual quota reached ahead of fiscal year-end

According to the DHS, the State Department, in coordination with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), has already issued all EB-2 immigrant visas available to Indian applicants for FY2026.

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The limitation stems from statutory caps established under the US Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Employment-based immigrant visas are subject to annual numerical limits, with the EB-2 category receiving 28.6 per cent of the worldwide employment-based visa allocation each year.

In addition to the overall cap, US immigration law imposes a per-country ceiling. Under current rules, nationals of any single country cannot receive more than seven per cent of the total number of family-sponsored and employment-based immigrant visas available annually. These limits are distributed across different visa categories, including EB-2.

With India's allocation now fully exhausted, diplomatic missions have been directed to stop issuing visas in the category until the annual quota resets. The government said visa processing can resume once new allocations become available at the start of FY2027.

Why the EB-2 visa matters

The EB-2 category is designed for foreign professionals with advanced qualifications or exceptional ability in their field. It serves as a pathway to obtaining a Green Card and ultimately permanent residence in the United States.

The category is particularly popular among Indian professionals working in sectors such as technology, engineering, healthcare, research and academia. Many applicants qualify through advanced degrees, specialised expertise or professional accomplishments that meet the eligibility criteria set by USCIS.

Most EB-2 petitions are accompanied by an approved labour certification from the US Department of Labor. This certification is intended to demonstrate that hiring a foreign worker will not adversely affect employment opportunities or wages for qualified US workers.

For applications submitted through the Department of Labor's Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) system, employers must obtain an approved Form ETA-9089 before proceeding with the immigration process.

The latest development underscores the intense demand for employment-based immigration among Indian professionals, who already face some of the longest Green Card waiting periods due to country-specific limits. While the visa freeze is temporary and will end when the new fiscal year begins in October, it serves as another reminder of the growing pressure on America's employment-based immigration system and the challenges facing skilled workers seeking permanent residence.