The EB2 category, which applies to professionals holding advanced degrees or individuals with exceptional abilities, continues to be one of the most oversubscribed employment-based green card categories for Indian nationals. As of 2025, the EB2 India green card wait time has reached historic levels, primarily due to per-country limits and a massive backlog of approved applications that have accumulated over the past decade.
According to the October 2025 Visa Bulletin released by the U.S. Department of State, the Final Action Date (FAD) for EB2 India stands at April 1, 2013, indicating that only applicants whose priority date falls before this cutoff are eligible for green card issuance or adjustment of status. This effectively means that even in late 2025, the U.S. immigration system is still processing applications that were filed more than 12 years ago. The backlog has deepened because of the 7% per-country cap imposed by U.S. law, which limits the number of employment-based green cards issued to nationals of any one country each fiscal year. Since India has an overwhelming share of EB2 demand, the queue moves slowly despite consistent annual visa allocations. For most applicants, this slow pace translates into prolonged uncertainty. Immigration analysts estimate that new EB2 India applicants in 2024–2025 may face wait times of 12 to 18 years under the current system. Wondering how your priority date compares to the official cutoffs? Beyond Border helps you interpret visa bulletins and understand where your case stands in the EB2 India backlog.
The priority date,the date your PERM or I-140 was filed,is the key to determining your place in line for a green card. Over the past several years, EB2 India’s priority date movement has been painfully slow, advancing only by a few months annually. In 2025, most months have seen either minimal progress or complete stagnation, with the Final Action Date remaining stuck around early 2013. Occasionally, the State Department has retrogressed the date, meaning the cutoff moves backward to prevent exceeding the visa quota.
This sluggish pace reflects the sheer volume of approved I-140 petitions waiting for green cards. Current estimates suggest that there are nearly 400,000 approved EB2 petitions from Indian nationals in the queue, making up around 90% of the total EB2 backlog worldwide. Even when spillover visas from other employment-based categories (like EB1 or EB5) become available, they only provide temporary relief. If you’re unsure how retrogression affects your timeline or how to interpret changes in the monthly visa bulletin, Beyond Border provides guidance to help you plan your next steps with clarity.
For applicants wondering how long it actually takes to secure a green card, the EB2 India timeline in 2025 remains discouragingly long. The process typically begins with labor certification (PERM), which can take anywhere from 12 to 24 months. Following that, the I-140 petition may take another 6 to 9 months for adjudication. However, these early stages are relatively minor compared to the waiting period for the priority date to become current.
Once your priority date is current according to the Visa Bulletin, you may finally file the I-485 (adjustment of status) or proceed with consular processing, which adds an additional 6 to 18 months. Realistically, an applicant filing under EB2 India in 2025 might not receive their green card until the late 2030s or even 2040s if no policy changes occur. If you’re unsure how to calculate your green card timeline based on your I-140 filing date, Beyond Border can help you project your eligibility and monitor your visa bulletin progress month by month.
Forecasts for the EB2 India visa bulletin in 2025 suggest continued stagnation, with experts predicting an advancement of only 2 to 4 months per year in the Final Action Date. The Department of State has indicated that heavy demand from India will continue to restrict forward movement, especially as unused visas from other categories are expected to decline in FY2025 compared to the spillovers seen during the pandemic years.
In the worst-case scenario, there may even be brief retrogressions if visa demand exceeds annual allocations. This means that for many Indian applicants, the long wait for their turn will persist well into the next decade. If you’re trying to understand how your EB2 priority date aligns with projected movements or how to optimize your immigration strategy, Beyond Border helps you interpret bulletin trends and forecast timelines effectively.
The EB2 India backlog remains one of the most pressing issues in the U.S. immigration system. Decades-long waits have prompted discussions in Congress about reforming the per-country cap or reallocating unused visas to reduce backlogs for high-demand countries like India. While several bills have been proposed,including the EAGLE Act and HR 3648,none have yet passed into law. Without legislative change, backlog relief will remain slow and incremental.
Some relief may come from shifting to other visa categories, such as EB1A (Extraordinary Ability) or EB1C (Multinational Executive/Manager), which typically have shorter queues. A few applicants have also benefited from EB2 National Interest Waivers (NIW), though these are highly selective. If you’re exploring whether you qualify for an alternative category or want to assess options to shorten your wait.
EB2 India Final Action Date Forecast and Future Outlook
Looking ahead, analysts expect the EB2 India Final Action Date to move slowly but steadily over the next few fiscal years. Under current trends, by the end of 2025, the cutoff date may reach mid-2013 at best, assuming consistent visa availability. However, the long-term future of the EB2 India queue depends on how the U.S. government manages visa number distribution and potential reforms.
If per-country limits are lifted or visa recapture legislation is enacted, it could drastically shorten the wait for Indian professionals. Until then, applicants must remain patient and informed. For those navigating this complex process, Beyond Border helps track real-time visa bulletin changes, estimate future movement, and ensure your documentation remains ready for when your date becomes current.
The EB2 India green card backlog continues to pose a formidable challenge for skilled professionals from India. With Final Action Dates still anchored in 2013 and minimal forward movement expected through 2025, patience and strategic planning are essential. Applicants should remain proactive,monitoring visa bulletins monthly, keeping records up to date, and exploring alternative categories or immigration options where possible.
While the wait may seem endless, understanding the system and making informed choices can help you stay prepared for eventual progress. If you’re tracking your EB2 India case and unsure how to interpret the visa bulletin or forecast your timeline, Beyond Border provides clear, factual insights to help you plan your path toward permanent residency with confidence.
