EB-2 Green Card Approvals Fall to 36%, Process Time Rises

Recent data released by immigration firm Lawfully shows a sharp shift in the EB visa category in 2025. The report analysed more than 150,000 cases. The findings point to falling approval rates and longer processing times across key employment based visa categories.

EB-2 National Interest Waiver approvals have dropped significantly. Approval rates fell from 61 percent in January to June 2025 to just 36 percent between July and December. This sharp decline has raised concerns among applicants planning to file under this category.

Processing times for EB-2 National Interest Waiver cases have also increased. On average, applicants are now waiting around 12.6 months for a decision. This estimate includes both regular and premium processing timelines.

EB-1A approvals have also seen a notable decline. The approval rate dropped by 24 percent in the second half of 2025. Only 46 percent of applicants received approvals between July and December, compared to 70 percent in the first half of the year.

L-1 and O-1 visas have recorded smaller dips in approval rates. L-1 approvals declined by 3 percent, while O-1 visas saw a 9 percent drop. In contrast, H-1B approval rates have remained steady at 98 percent in 2025.

However, experts caution that the high H-1B approval rate may not tell the full story. Filing numbers were lower in 2025 due to policy changes under the new Trump administration. Fewer applications may have influenced overall percentages.

The EB-2 National Interest Waiver category remains discretionary in nature. Strong documentation and evidence are critical for approval. As a result, approval trends can fluctuate each year depending on the quality and strength of applications.