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Total Green Cards by Preference: FY-2007

The total number of green cards issued per year per preference category is an important data point for people waiting in line for a green card. Together with the pending I-485 inventory, we can estimate our wait time with (slightly) better accuracy.

The data below contain green card statistics released every year by the Department of State. We re-arranged them by preference category so that they match the format of visa bulletins. The data include both immigrant visas issued by DOS through consular processing, and I-485 Adjustment of Status applications processed by USCIS. Primary applicants and their derivative dependents are all covered, including both employment-based and family-sponsored categories. What is not included in the data is groups not subject to visa number limitations, such as immediate relatives of U.S. citizens.

The total number of green cards issued is for a given fiscal year, which runs from October 1 to September 30. Obviously, it would be best if we had the monthly breakdown, but that information is not available. And we know the number of applications processed each month doesn't stay consistent at all throughout the year. In addition, other factors such as "visa number spill-over" can significantly change the total count from one year to another. These must be taken into consideration when the data are used for any type of calculations or analyses.

Employment-BasedROWChinaIndiaMexicoPhilippinesSub-Total
EB11958929822855110927126806
EB24440016089006203679728892
EB3725748038894117795358034220
EB3-Other509367212331901012897
EB43653232344278372762
EB4-Religious11414664798944
EB5149041019116
EB5-Pilot100001
EB5-Regional64302991541
Total-EB1544601086712597274191361589962

Family-SponsoredSub-TotalPhilippinesMexicoIndiaChinaROW
F1245401615167554582019885
F2A66514305835345940152825643
F2B225975145177931654514812
F321608192118081584227414021
F46803429124646123791111336984
Total-FB11134516280157644525314651203293

Description:

  • ROW: Rest of World (All countries and regions except those listed separately, such as China-mainland born and India).
  • China: China-mainland born.
  • Employment-based:
    • EB1: Priority Workers
    • EB2: Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability
    • EB3: Skilled Workers and Professionals (not including Schedule A workers)
    • EB3-Other: Other Unskilled Workers
    • EB4: Certain Special Immigrants
    • EB4-Religious: Certain Religious Workers
    • EB5: Employment Creation
    • EB5-Pilot: Pilot Programs
    • EB5-Regional: Targeted Employment Areas and Regional Centers
  • Family-sponsored:
    • F1: Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
    • F2A: Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
    • F2B: Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents
    • F3: Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
    • F4: Brothers and Sisters of U.S. Citizens

See also:

Green Card Statistics (Interactive Charts)

Easy Tools