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Total Green Cards by Preference: FY-2008

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
EB12389056025326145631036584
EB2700992057134714806695544934
EB342813562340133575198127621
EB3-Other43525311312170762263
EB45402340565339624096
EB4-Religious225678115122311910
EB514905104985
EB5-Pilot000000
EB5-Regional12944109311960
Total-EB162949894388232435715067105759

Family-SponsoredSub-TotalPhilippinesMexicoIndiaChinaROW
F1257261460150744570921605
F2A82711206256465965138121838
F2B198273568158622765813788
F330382170218592491299921331
F4674594462453510633934638483
Total-FB11704515093147616595213254226105

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