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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-BasedChinaIndiaMexicoPhilippinesSub-TotalROW
EB12982285511092712680619589
EB22889267976203900160844400
EB3358072574803889411779534220
EB3-Other289710119012336725093
EB43736532322782762344
EB4-Religious94487964461141
EB5414901019116
EB5-Pilot100001
EB5-Regional54164309912
Total-EB8996213615274191259710867154460

Family-SponsoredMexicoSub-TotalPhilippinesIndiaChinaROW
F1167524540161554582019885
F2A25643152894035345305866514
F2B545225975145316148121779
F314021227415841808192121608
F41111368034291246461237936984
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