1 week ago

US Warns EB-1 Green Cards May Become Unavailable for Indians

The EB-1 is a US green card pathway for certain highly qualified workers.

It includes people with extraordinary abilities, internationally recognized professors and researchers, and some multinational executives.

Many Indian applicants are waiting to use this category.

The US Department of State says the available visa numbers for Indians could run out soon.

If that happens, the category would be marked unavailable for Indians for the rest of the fiscal year.

This does not mean the EB-1 program is being cancelled.

In September 2026, the category is still available for applicants whose priority dates qualify.

Applicants usually need an approved petition and must complete the required visa or status-change procedures.

Key facts

Visa category: EB-1, the Employment-Based First Preference category for priority workers.
September 2026 Final Action Date: October 15, 2022, for India.
September 2026 Dates for Filing: December 1, 2023, for EB-1 India.
Potential status: The category may be marked unavailable if India's allocated numbers are fully used.
Required petition: Applicants generally use Form I-140 for employment-based immigration.
Covered workers: People with extraordinary ability, outstanding professors or researchers, and certain multinational executives or managers.
Family category noted: India's September 2026 F4 Final Action Date is November 1, 2006.

NDTV · 1 week ago