Tue Jan 14 15:30:00 UTC 2025: ## US Green Card Backlog Sees Small Improvement for Indian Applicants

**Washington D.C.** – The February 2025 Visa Bulletin from the US Department of State offers a glimmer of hope for Indian nationals seeking employment-based green cards. While the wait remains extensive, the bulletin shows slight progress in processing times for certain employment-based categories, a welcome development for the over one million Indians currently awaiting green cards.

The advancements are limited to employment-based categories (EB). Specifically, the final action date for the EB-2 category (advanced degree professionals and individuals with exceptional ability) moved from October 1, 2012, to October 15, 2012. Similarly, the EB-3 category (skilled workers, professionals, and other workers) saw a 15-day advancement, moving from December 1, 2012, to December 15, 2012. The EB-1 category (priority workers) remains unchanged.

Despite these small improvements, the backlog remains significant. Estimates suggest that clearing the current backlog for Indian applicants in employment-based categories could take 195 years. The Congressional Research Service projects this backlog will reach 2.19 million by fiscal year 2030.

Family-sponsored green card categories show no change in processing times in the February bulletin. The annual limit for family-sponsored visas remains at 226,000, while the employment-based cap stays at 140,000.

The Visa Bulletin, a monthly publication, provides crucial information on green card availability. While the recent advancements are modest, they represent a small step forward for Indian applicants navigating the lengthy US immigration process. The situation continues to highlight the substantial backlog facing Indian citizens seeking permanent residency in the United States.

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