Over 1.2 million Indian nationals are stuck in a growing green card backlog in the United States 🇺🇸 as of July 31, 2025. Most of these individuals are skilled tech workers and their families, waiting for employment-based green cards in the EB-2 and EB-3 categories. The backlog has reached historic levels, with wait times stretching into decades, leaving many Indian nationals uncertain about their futures in the United States 🇺🇸.
The United States 🇺🇸 immigration system is facing a crisis. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) now has a record 11.3 million pending applications across all visa types. This includes green card renewals, work permits, and other immigration benefits. These delays are the longest in history, causing stress and hardship for Indian tech workers and other immigrants who depend on timely processing to maintain their legal status and plan their lives.
Backlog Details and Current Numbers
- Over 1.2 million Indian nationals are waiting for employment-based green cards, mostly in the EB-2 (for advanced degree professionals) and EB-3 (for skilled workers) categories. This number includes both main applicants and their dependents.
- The USCIS backlog has reached 11.3 million pending cases as of the second quarter of fiscal year 2025. Green card renewals and work permits now face processing delays of eight months or more, and the number of pending cases has doubled in the past year.
- In the EB-1 category, which is for individuals with extraordinary ability or multinational managers, about 16,800 Indian applications are pending. While EB-1 is faster than EB-2 and EB-3, it still faces multi-year delays.
- The Visa Bulletin, which shows when green card applicants can move forward, remains severely retrogressed for India. There has been no significant forward movement, and experts do not expect improvement without new laws.
Why Is the Backlog So Severe for Indian Nationals?
The main reason for the backlog is the per-country cap on green cards. Each country can only receive a certain number of employment-based green cards each year, no matter how many people apply. Because so many Indian nationals work in the United States 🇺🇸 tech sector and apply for green cards, the queue for India is much longer than for other countries.
Many Indian tech workers entered the United States 🇺🇸 through Indian staffing firms. These companies have been criticized for paying lower wages and offering unstable jobs. Some of these firms no longer exist, leaving workers in a difficult position. Without a stable employer, many Indian nationals find it hard to keep their visa status or move forward in the green card process.
USCIS and Government Response
USCIS, the agency responsible for processing immigration applications, is struggling to keep up. The number of cases completed each year has dropped by 18%. The agency points to limited resources and policy changes as reasons for the slowdown. Some of these policies started under President Trump and have continued under President Biden.
USCIS also reports a “frontlog” of over 34,000 unopened cases. This means that even before an application is reviewed, it can sit for months without being touched. These delays add to the frustration and uncertainty for Indian nationals and other immigrants.
Legislative Efforts and Political Challenges
Lawmakers and advocacy groups have proposed several reforms to fix the green card backlog. One major proposal is the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act, which would remove the per-country cap. However, this bill has faced political roadblocks and has not become law. Some experts warn that simply removing the cap, without increasing the total number of green cards, could actually make the backlog worse by putting all applicants into one long line.
No major legislative changes have been made in 2024 or 2025 to address the backlog or increase the number of employment-based green cards. As a result, the situation for Indian nationals remains uncertain.
Employers and the Impact on Business
Employers in the United States 🇺🇸 rely on skilled workers from India 🇮🇳 to fill important jobs, especially in technology. The green card backlog makes it hard for these companies to keep talented workers. Delays in work authorization and travel documents mean that employees sometimes cannot work or travel outside the country. Some employers pay extra for premium processing to speed up certain applications, but this is not always possible.
Practical Effects on Indian Tech Workers and Families
The long wait for green cards affects every part of life for Indian nationals in the United States 🇺🇸. Here are some of the main challenges:
- Career Growth: Many workers cannot change jobs or get promotions because their green card applications are tied to a specific employer.
- Family Stability: Children who turn 21 before their parents get a green card can lose their dependent status and may have to leave the country.
- Legal Status: Delays in renewing work permits or visas can put families at risk of losing their legal right to stay in the United States 🇺🇸.
- Uncertainty: Many Indian nationals do not know if or when they will get a green card, making it hard to plan for the future.
- Brain Drain: Some skilled workers are leaving the United States 🇺🇸 for countries like Canada 🇨🇦, which offer faster and more predictable immigration processes.
Step-by-Step: How Indian Nationals Apply for an Employment-Based Green Card
- Labor Certification (PERM): The employer files a labor certification with the Department of Labor to show that no qualified U.S. worker is available for the job. Learn more about the PERM process on the Department of Labor website.
- I-140 Petition: The employer files Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker with USCIS to sponsor the worker for a green card.
- Priority Date: The date the labor certification or I-140 is filed becomes the applicant’s “priority date.” This date determines their place in the green card queue.
- Visa Bulletin Wait: Applicants must wait for their priority date to become “current” according to the Visa Bulletin published by the Department of State.
- Adjustment of Status or Consular Processing: When the priority date is current, applicants can file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status if they are in the United States 🇺🇸, or go through consular processing if they are abroad.
- Work Authorization and Travel: While waiting, applicants may apply for work permits (EAD) and advance parole for travel, but these are also delayed due to USCIS backlogs.
- Green Card Issuance: After approval, the applicant receives a permanent resident card, also known as a green card.
Future Outlook for Indian Nationals
Without new laws to increase the number of green cards or remove per-country caps, the backlog for Indian nationals is expected to get even worse. Some experts predict that by 2030, the number of Indians waiting for green cards could reach over 2 million. USCIS is likely to continue facing challenges, and processing times may get even longer.
Advocacy groups and some lawmakers are still pushing for reforms, but political agreement is hard to achieve. In the meantime, more Indian tech workers and employers are looking at other countries, such as Canada 🇨🇦, which offer faster and more reliable immigration options.
What Can Indian Nationals Do?
- Stay Informed: Check the USCIS website for updates on case status, processing times, and the latest Visa Bulletin.
- Seek Support: Contact the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C. for help with legal and immigration questions.
- Connect with Advocacy Groups: Organizations like Immigration Voice and FWD.us provide updates and support for high-skilled immigrants.
- Explore Alternatives: Consider other immigration pathways, such as Canada’s Express Entry, if the wait in the United States 🇺🇸 becomes too long.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The green card backlog for Indian nationals in the United States 🇺🇸 is a serious and growing problem. It affects not only workers and their families but also employers and the broader economy. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the lack of legislative action and ongoing processing delays mean that many Indian nationals face years or even decades of uncertainty.
For those affected, it is important to stay informed, seek legal advice, and consider all available options. While the future remains uncertain, continued advocacy and awareness may eventually lead to meaningful reform. In the meantime, Indian nationals and their families must find ways to cope with the challenges of the current system, while hoping for a fairer and more efficient process in the years ahead.
Learn Today
Green Card → An identity card granting lawful permanent residence in the United States to eligible immigrants.
EB-2 → Employment-based visa category for professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability in their field.
EB-3 → Employment-based visa category for skilled workers, professionals, and other workers without advanced degrees.
USCIS → United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, the agency that processes immigration and visa applications.
Visa Bulletin → A monthly publication by the U.S. Department of State showing green card availability and priority dates.
This Article in a Nutshell
Indian tech workers face historic delays with over 1.2 million stuck in green card backlogs, causing uncertainty and career obstacles. USCIS struggles amid 11.3 million pending cases. Political reforms stall, while families and employers seek alternatives like Canada’s faster immigration routes.
— By VisaVerge.com
