Indian Green Card Wait Times Hit New Highs: If you’re an Indian professional working in the United States or hoping to move there permanently, the term “green card backlog” probably isn’t new to you. But in 2025, the situation has become more extreme than ever before. New estimates reveal that Indian nationals could wait decades to receive their U.S. employment-based green card, with some in line for over a century.
This article explains what’s causing the record delays, what current green card wait times look like, and what Indian applicants can do while they wait. We’ll also explore possible legislative solutions, real-life consequences, and practical alternatives both within the U.S. and abroad.
Indian Green Card Wait Times Hit New Highs
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual Employment-Based Green Cards | 140,000 total per year (across all nationalities) |
| Per-Country Cap | ~9,800 green cards per country (7% of total) |
| Indians in Employment-Based Backlog | Over 1.2 million (including family members) |
| EB-2 India Final Action Date (May 2025) | November 15, 2004 |
| EB-3 India Final Action Date (May 2025) | October 1, 2003 |
| Max Wait Time Estimated | Up to 134 years (CATO Institute) |
| Reform Proposals | Remove per-country caps, increase visa caps, recapture unused green cards |
| Official Source | USCIS Visa Bulletin |
The U.S. green card system, particularly for Indian professionals, is deeply broken. In 2025, the backlog has hit record highs, with wait times extending beyond two decades for many—and potentially even a century. Outdated visa caps and restrictive policies are driving talented workers away.
While legal reforms are needed, individuals must also act proactively—by protecting their legal status, considering alternatives like Canada or EB-5, and staying informed. Only a combination of policy change and personal strategy can help navigate this prolonged and painful journey.
What Is a Green Card and Why Are Indians Waiting So Long?
A green card grants permanent residency status in the U.S., allowing individuals to live and work indefinitely. There are multiple categories of green cards, such as those for family reunification, refugee/asylee status, and employment-based reasons.
Among Indian applicants, the most common route is employment-based immigration, particularly under EB-2 (for those with advanced degrees or exceptional abilities) and EB-3 (for skilled workers with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent).
Two Major Reasons for the Backlog:
1. Annual Visa Caps
Only 140,000 employment-based green cards are issued annually, regardless of how many people apply. That includes primary applicants and their immediate family members, so the actual number of workers admitted may be significantly less.
2. Per-Country Limits
Each country is subject to a 7% cap, which translates to just under 10,000 green cards per year per country. This is the same whether you’re from India with millions of applicants or from a smaller country with far fewer.
Because India has a large number of highly skilled workers, especially in sectors like IT, engineering, healthcare, and academia, demand has vastly outstripped supply. This has created a massive, multi-decade backlog for Indian nationals.
Understanding the Visa Bulletin: Where Are We Now?
The Visa Bulletin, published monthly by the U.S. Department of State, lists the cutoff dates for each green card category. These are known as “Final Action Dates.”
As of May 2025, the Visa Bulletin shows:
- EB-2 (Advanced Degree Professionals): November 15, 2004
- EB-3 (Skilled Workers and Professionals): October 1, 2003
These dates mean that only applicants whose priority dates (the date they first filed) are earlier than those cutoffs are eligible for final green card approval.
In practical terms, if you filed your application in 2005, you’re still not eligible. This creates a painful waiting game for hundreds of thousands of families.
Compare this with countries like Iceland or Australia, where applicants may receive green cards in less than 24 months.
What the Numbers Say: Just How Long Will You Wait?
According to the CATO Institute, a libertarian think tank that studies immigration and labor markets, new Indian applicants in EB-3 may have to wait as long as 134 years if current laws don’t change.
This isn’t just a theoretical number. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) data confirms that over 1.2 million people of Indian origin are stuck in the employment-based green card queue—more than any other nationality.
And the problem is worsening. Each year, more applicants enter the queue than green cards are issued, so the backlog continues to grow.
Employment-Based Green Card Process
Let’s break down the green card journey to understand why it takes so long:
Step 1: PERM Labor Certification
Your U.S. employer must prove to the Department of Labor that no qualified American workers are available for the job.
Step 2: Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker)
This form confirms that the employer intends to hire you and you meet the job qualifications. Approval sets your priority date.
Step 3: Priority Date Waiting Period
This date determines your place in the queue. You must wait until your priority date becomes current as per the Visa Bulletin.
Step 4: Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status)
Once your date becomes current, you can submit this form to transition from a non-immigrant visa to lawful permanent resident.
Step 5: Green Card Issuance
After biometrics, background checks, and interviews, the green card is finally issued—unless further delays occur.
What Are the Real-World Impacts?
1. Stalled Careers
Professionals on temporary visas often can’t take promotions or move to new roles, locking them into one job for years.
2. Aging-Out Children
Children on dependent H-4 visas lose eligibility after age 21. Many are forced to leave the U.S. despite living most of their lives there.
3. Stress and Uncertainty
Families live in legal limbo, unable to make long-term plans. Mental health and financial security take a hit.
4. Reduced U.S. Competitiveness
Talented immigrants stuck in limbo often look to other countries like Canada or Germany, weakening the U.S. labor market.
Potential Legislative Fixes (But None Yet Passed)
Several bills have been introduced in Congress to fix the green card backlog. However, none have been signed into law as of mid-2025.
1. Eliminate Per-Country Caps
The “Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act” aims to eliminate the 7% per-country limit so green cards are allocated by priority date alone. Despite bipartisan support, it has stalled multiple times.
2. Recapture Unused Visas
USCIS often fails to issue all available green cards. Recapture proposals would roll over unused numbers from past years into the current quota.
3. Increase Annual Cap
Several immigration reform advocates have suggested raising the 140,000 limit to match workforce needs—particularly in tech and healthcare.
What Can Indian Applicants Do While They Wait?
1. Consider Other U.S. Visas
- O-1 Visa: For those with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, or business.
- EB-5 Visa: Requires investing at least $800,000 in a U.S. business; provides a faster path but is cost-prohibitive for many.
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2. Explore Global Opportunities
- Canada: Offers Express Entry and fast-tracked pathways for skilled workers. Processing often takes under two years.
- United Kingdom: The Skilled Worker visa allows residency and later citizenship.
- Australia: Points-based immigration for high-demand professions.
3. Protect Your Legal Status
- Renew H-1B visas on time.
- File I-140 early to lock in your place.
- Seek legal advice to maintain status for dependents.
FAQs About Indian Green Card Wait Times Hit New Highs
Q1: Can the green card wait time really exceed 100 years?
Yes. Especially under EB-3 for Indian applicants, projections indicate century-long delays.
Q2: Is this only a problem for Indian nationals?
No, but India faces the largest backlog due to high demand. China also has long wait times.
Q3: Will moving to another country cancel my U.S. application?
No. As long as your I-140 petition remains approved, your priority date is preserved.
Q4: What happens when my child turns 21?
They “age out” of dependent status and must apply separately, often on student visas.
Q5: Are any reforms likely soon?
While several bills have been proposed, none have yet passed into law. Advocacy efforts continue.
