The US employment-based Green Card backlog has now surpassed 1.2 million applicants, with wait times stretching to 179 years for Indian applicants, according to a recent assessment by the National Foundation for American Policy. So, if you are also one of the applicants, here’s what this new information means for you.
Indian Applicants May Face 179-Year Wait For US Green Card
An Indian US employment-based Green Card applicant may have to wait for 179 years for their chance. For Chinese nationals, the wait is up to 25 years. This information was recently made public by the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP), which analysed US Citizenship and Immigration Services data.
According to NDTV, the recent report analyses backlogs in the employment-based first, second and third preference categories, which are known as EB-1, EB-2 and EB-3. The report found that Indian professionals are likely to see the longest delay. The reason? Visa backlogs, statutory limits on the number of visas awarded to each nation and the strong demand for foreign-born scientists and engineers in America.
Also Read: ₹98 Lakh For H-1B Visa Fee? How Will The US Visa Proposal Affect Indians?
1.2 Million Applicants In Employment-Based Green Card Backlog
According to The Times of India, as of December 2025, the employment-based immigration backlog has grown past 1.2 million applicants. And surprisingly, 1 million of these applicants are Indians. This basically means that Indian workers and their families make up 79% of the entire pending employment-based backlog.
US immigration law limits the number of employment-based Green Cards each year to about 140,000. No more than 7% are awarded to nationals of any one country in one year. This is one of the reasons why millions of people in India are waiting in the backlog.
According to NDTV, any new highly skilled applicant from India with a labour certification application for employment-based immigration can face a wait time of 179 years in EB-2, 38 years in EB-3 and four to five years in the EB-1 category.
What do you think of this wait time? Are you planning to apply for a US Green Card under any of these categories?
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FAQs
What is a US Green Card?
A US Green Card allows a person to live and work permanently in the United States.
Why is it tough to get a US visa?
Getting a US visa can be difficult because of high demand, limited visas, a long application process, long waiting times, and strict background checks.
What is the wait time for a US Green Card application under EB-2?
For Indian applicants, the wait time under EB-2 can be as long as 179 years.
