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Total Green Cards by Preference: FY-2009

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
EB12677149996672201052440976
EB246016185092210106304530093
EB337302526337452220102725047
EB3-Other247627382184501248
EB46694339646511575141
EB4-Religious3305128169260342714
EB5282114865194
EB5-Pilot700007
EB5-Regional39292196419141930
Total-EB14098783808346199251119193145

Family-SponsoredSub-TotalPhilippinesMexicoIndiaChinaROW
F1238611659167146162619444
F2A75075237746551902120124044
F2B265854631200023680218916
F325264163818972238218217309
F464548497247379119643539285
Total-FB11899811246129565685615277215333

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