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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-BasedChinaIndiaMexicoPhilippinesSub-TotalROW
EB14999667220105244097626771
EB230093304510106922185046016
EB310273730252633745222025047
EB3-Other124850848212732476
EB45766943395115141646
EB4-Religious2714342601691283305
EB5142821865194
EB5-Pilot700007
EB5-Regional19303929264191419
Total-EB93145111911992583468380140987

Family-SponsoredMexicoSub-TotalPhilippinesIndiaChinaROW
F1167123861165946162619444
F2A24044120190246551237775075
F2B802265854631236189162000
F317309218222381897163825264
F464356454849724737911939285
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