Key Takeaways
• Over 4 million people wait for U.S. immigrant visas, mostly family-sponsored applicants as of November 2023.
• Some applicants face more than 20-year delays; USCIS reduced backlog by 15% but work permits still slow.
• Visa interview freezes in Mexico and Colombia worsen family separation and visa processing delays since May 2025.
The U.S. immigration backlog has reached a record high as of July 2025, causing major delays for people seeking green cards and work permits. This growing backlog affects millions of families and workers, with some waiting decades for their applications to move forward. The situation is shaped by strict visa limits, slow processing, and recent policy changes, leaving many in a state of uncertainty.
Record-High Backlog: Who Is Affected and Why?
As of the latest official data from November 2023, more than 4 million people are waiting for their immigrant visas at the U.S. State Department. Most of these—over 3.8 million—are family-sponsored applicants. About 261,000 are in employment-based categories. The largest group in the backlog comes from Mexico 🇲🇽 (1.2 million), followed by India 🇮🇳 (291,000), the Philippines 🇵🇭 (288,000), the Dominican Republic 🇩🇴 (251,000), and China 🇨🇳 (231,000).
These numbers show just how many people are stuck waiting for a chance to live or work legally in the United States 🇺🇸. The backlog is not just a number—it represents real families separated for years and workers unable to start new jobs.
How Long Are People Waiting?
The delays are staggering. As of March 2025, the State Department was still processing family-sponsored visa applications filed as far back as November 2000. For employment-based applicants, cases from December 2012 were being processed. This means some people have waited more than 20 years for their chance to move forward.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has tried to speed things up. By early 2025, USCIS reported a 15% decrease in its internal backlog, having processed nearly 11 million filings and completed 10 million cases since 2022. However, many forms, including the green card application (Form I-485), still take longer than the target of six months. In reality, many applicants wait much longer.
Visa Bulletin: Slow Progress for Most
The Visa Bulletin is a monthly update from the State Department that tells applicants when they can move forward with their cases. The July 2025 Visa Bulletin showed only small improvements. For example:
- The Mexico F-2B family category moved forward by about one year.
- The employment-based EB-3 category for Mexico and other countries advanced by about two months.
- Many categories, such as EB-4 and EB-5, did not move at all because they hit their yearly limits.
This slow movement means that most people in the backlog are still waiting for their priority dates to become current.
Work Permit Delays: A Growing Problem
Work permits, officially called Employment Authorization Documents (EADs), are also facing big delays. In January 2025 alone, over 500,000 work permit applications were filed. Many people rushed to apply, worried about possible rule changes. However, the approval process is slow, making it hard for new immigrants to start working and support their families.
Recent Policy Changes and Their Effects
Several policy changes in 2024 and 2025 have affected the backlog and processing times:
New Form I-485 Requirements
In December 2024, USCIS released a new version of Form I-485 (the main green card application). Now, applicants must submit their medical exam (Form I-693) at the same time. This new rule has made the process more complicated and can add to delays. You can find the latest version of Form I-485 here.
Efforts to Reduce the Backlog
Since 2022, USCIS has set goals to process key forms faster, aiming for a six-month turnaround for both I-485 and I-130 (family petitions). While there has been some progress, the overall backlog remains large because of the sheer number of applications and limited resources.
Visa Interview Freeze
Since May 2025, the State Department has stopped scheduling new visa interviews at consulates in Mexico 🇲🇽, Colombia 🇨🇴, and other countries. This is due to staff shortages and limited resources. The freeze has made it even harder for families to reunite and for workers to get their visas, especially in Latin America.
Per-Country Caps and Category Limits
U.S. law sets strict limits on how many visas can be given each year, both by category and by country. These rules especially hurt applicants from countries with high demand, like Mexico 🇲🇽, India 🇮🇳, and the Philippines 🇵🇭. For example, the EB-4 category (for certain special immigrants) has already reached its annual limit and will not be available again until the next fiscal year.
Real-Life Effects on Immigrants and Families
The US immigration backlog is not just a paperwork problem—it has real effects on people’s lives.
Family Separation
Many families, especially from Latin America, are separated for years because of the backlog. The freeze on visa interviews and slow movement in the Visa Bulletin mean that parents, children, and spouses often cannot reunite for a long time. This causes emotional stress and uncertainty.
Delays in Work Permits
When work permit approvals are delayed, immigrants cannot start jobs or support their families. This affects not only the immigrants themselves but also the U.S. economy, as skilled workers and essential employees are kept out of the workforce.
Adjustment of Status Delays
People already living in the United States 🇺🇸 who are eligible to apply for a green card must wait for their priority date to become current. Even then, the process can take months or years, leaving many in a state of limbo. The Visa Bulletin’s “Dates for Filing” and “Final Action Dates” charts are supposed to guide applicants, but slow movement means long waits.
Step-by-Step: The Green Card Process in 2025
For those trying to get a green card in 2025, the process is long and often confusing. Here’s a simple breakdown:
- Priority Date:
Your priority date is set when your immigrant petition (like Form I-130 for family or Form I-140 for work) is filed. -
Waiting for Your Date:
You must watch the monthly Visa Bulletin to see when your priority date becomes current. -
Filing for Adjustment or Consular Processing:
- If you are in the United States 🇺🇸, you file Form I-485 to adjust your status.
- If you are outside the country, you go through consular processing at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
- Biometrics and Background Checks:
You will be called for fingerprinting and background checks, which can add more time to the process. -
Interview Scheduling:
You may need to attend an interview at a USCIS office or consulate. Right now, many consulates are not scheduling new interviews, causing further delays. -
Final Decision:
If approved, you receive your green card or immigrant visa. -
Work Permit Application:
If eligible, you can apply for a work permit using Form I-765, but be prepared for a long wait.
Why Is the Backlog So Big?
Experts agree that the main reasons for the US immigration backlog are:
- Strict visa limits set by law, both by category and by country
- Not enough staff and resources at USCIS and the State Department
- Pandemic-related disruptions that slowed down processing and closed consulates
- Surges in applications as people try to file before possible rule changes
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, even though USCIS has made some progress in reducing its internal backlog, outside factors like consular appointment freezes and visa caps continue to slow things down.
What Are Experts and Advocacy Groups Saying?
Immigration experts point out that the backlog is mostly due to laws that limit the number of visas each year and per-country caps that create long waits for people from certain countries. The pandemic made things worse, and while USCIS has improved some processes, the overall system is still overwhelmed.
Advocacy groups stress the human cost of these delays. They are calling for Congress to pass new laws that would increase the number of visas and remove per-country caps. This would help reduce wait times and keep families together.
Government officials at USCIS and the State Department say they are working to speed up processing and hire more staff. However, they also say that only Congress can make the big changes needed to fix the backlog for good.
Historical Background: How Did We Get Here?
The U.S. immigration system has always had annual limits on how many family- and work-based visas can be given out. There are also per-country caps that make it even harder for people from countries with a lot of applicants.
The Visa Bulletin system controls when people can move forward with their cases, based on these limits and their priority dates.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused huge delays by closing consulates and slowing down processing. Even before the pandemic, USCIS struggled with not enough staff and changing workloads.
What’s Next? The Future of the Backlog
Looking ahead, here’s what immigrants and families can expect:
- Small Improvements in the Visa Bulletin:
Some categories may move forward a little in the coming months, but big changes are unlikely without new laws. -
Possible Immigration Reform:
Congress is discussing bills that could raise visa numbers and remove per-country caps, but nothing has passed yet. -
More Staff and Better Technology:
USCIS and the State Department are trying to hire more people and use better technology to speed up processing. -
Resuming Consular Appointments:
The State Department plans to slowly start scheduling visa interviews again at some consulates, which could help reduce delays later in 2025.
Where to Find Official Information
For the most up-to-date information on visa wait times and processing, check these official resources:
- U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin:
Monthly updates on when you can move forward with your case. -
USCIS Processing Times:
Check how long it takes to process different forms. -
National Visa Center:
Handles cases before your consular interview.
What Can Applicants Do Now?
If you are waiting for a green card or work permit, here are some steps you can take:
- Check the Visa Bulletin every month to see if your priority date is current.
- Make sure your contact information is up to date with USCIS or the National Visa Center.
- Gather all required documents early, including your medical exam, to avoid extra delays.
- Apply for a work permit as soon as you are eligible, but be prepared for a wait.
- Stay informed about policy changes by visiting official government websites.
Final Thoughts
The US immigration backlog is at an all-time high, with millions waiting for green cards and work permits. While USCIS has made some progress, strict visa limits, staff shortages, and recent policy changes mean that delays are likely to continue. Families remain separated, and workers are kept out of the job market. Real change will require new laws from Congress, but in the meantime, staying informed and prepared is the best way for applicants to manage the long wait.
For more detailed updates and expert analysis, the U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin remains the best official source for tracking your case.
Learn Today
Immigrant Visa → Official government document allowing a foreign national to live permanently in the U.S.
Form I-485 → USCIS form used to apply for adjustment of status to become a permanent resident.
Visa Bulletin → Monthly State Department update showing which immigrant visa priority dates are current.
Employment Authorization Document (EAD) → Work permit that allows noncitizens to legally work in the U.S.
Priority Date → Date when an immigrant petition is filed, determining a person’s place in visa queues.
This Article in a Nutshell
The U.S. immigration backlog hit record levels in mid-2025, causing decades-long waits for green cards and work permits amid policy challenges and strict visa limits.
— By VisaVerge.com
