USCIS Shatters Records With EB-1 Petitions Surge

Key Takeaways

• EB-1 applications and backlogs reached record highs, with approval rates falling from 70.50% in 2023 to 60.65% in 2024.
• Over 43,000 K-1 petitions were filed in 2024; actual K-1 visa issuances remain much lower due to consular denials.
• Both EB-1 and K-1 applicants face stricter reviews, longer waits, and must prepare more evidence for successful outcomes.

The latest data released by USCIS shows major changes in two very different immigration pathways: the EB-1 employment-based green card category and the K-1 fiancé(e) visa. The EB-1 is for people with extraordinary ability or high achievements in their field, while the K-1 is for U.S. citizens who want to bring their foreign fiancé(e) to the United States 🇺🇸 for marriage. This report looks in detail at the trends found in the most recent data, what they mean for applicants, and what to expect in the coming months.

Summary of Key Findings

– EB-1 petitions are at historic highs, with demand surging even more in fiscal years 2024 and early 2025.
– Approval rates for EB-1A (extraordinary ability) have dropped as applications have increased, showing stricter review and more backlogged cases.
– K-1 petitions are also far above normal levels, with over double the typical annual filings compared with before the pandemic.
– While USCIS has dramatically sped up K-1 processing, high denial rates at consulate interviews abroad mean that the number of actual visas granted to fiancés remains much lower than petition approvals.
– Both categories now face greater scrutiny and more complicated timelines, even as the number of people applying rises.

EB-1 (Employment-Based First Preference) Trends

Application Surge & Record Backlogs

USCIS data shows the number of people applying for EB-1 green cards (including the EB-1A, which is for those with extraordinary ability) has climbed every year since pandemic-era slowdowns eased. In fiscal year 2024, the surge continued, carrying into early 2025. As reported by VisaVerge.com, over 130,000 total pending cases across all employment-based green card categories are now waiting—this is a record high and includes many EB-1 cases.

To put it simply, more people than ever are seeking EB-1 status. This is likely because, when the visa is available, EB-1 can move faster than other job-based green cards. But that speed is slowing down.

Declining Approval Rates

The flood of new EB-1 filings has led to a tougher review process at USCIS. For instance, EB-1A’s approval rate fell from 70.50% in FY2023 to 60.65% in FY2024. At the same time, the denial rate increased from 19.35% to 23.32%. The rest of the cases are still pending, waiting in the growing queue.

In other words, while more people are hoping to get this top-level green card, fewer are being approved, and many are left waiting much longer than before.

High Demand & Retrogressed Priority Dates

The U.S. government limits how many green cards can be approved each year in each category. Strong demand in the EB-1 category means the yearly limit for visas is used up earlier and earlier—in some cases by late summer or early fall. After that point, applicants must wait until the next year for their priority date (the spot in line based on filing date) to become available.

For many countries, especially those with many applicants to the United States 🇺🇸, the cut-off dates for EB-1 remain stuck or even move backward at the start of 2025. This is called “retrogression,” and it means the wait times are growing for new applicants.

Stricter Review and Longer Processing

USCIS has had to look more closely at each EB-1 petition because of the higher numbers and media reports of fraudulent or weak applications. This means:
– More requests for evidence (RFEs)
– More time needed to prepare documents and respond
– Less certainty about outcomes, even for strong candidates

Applicants should be aware that while the category once moved quickly, the process now requires more patience and evidence, and success rates are down.

K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa Trends

Application Volumes: Holding Steady at High Levels

Before the pandemic, about 20,000 K-1 fiancé(e) petitions were filed each year. During the pandemic, there was a brief dip, but as travel opened back up, filings did not just return to normal—they soared. Over 43,000 K-1 petitions were filed in fiscal year 2024, more than double historic norms.

Smoother Processing Times at USCIS

While demand is high, USCIS has managed to improve processing for K-1 cases. Early in 2023, the average wait time for a K-1 was nearly 14 months. By early 2025, it has dropped to just over six months. This is welcome news to U.S. citizens and their partners waiting to reunite or marry.

Approval Numbers Up but No Match in Visa Issuances

USCIS approved 56,382 K-1 petitions in calendar year 2024, the most since before the pandemic. But here is the catch—foreign U.S. embassies and consulates are not issuing as many visas as USCIS approves. In 2019, 35,881 K-1 visas were granted. In 2023, only 19,825 were approved, even though domestic approvals have soared.

The main reason is the stricter overseas interview process. High rates of denial happen at consular interviews for several reasons:
– The consular officer suspects the relationship is not real.
– The file lacks important supporting documents or evidence.
– The applicant cannot answer questions convincingly.

So, while many more people get their K-1 petition approved by USCIS, the actual chance of reuniting in the United States 🇺🇸 is lower than numbers suggest.

Areas Where Applicants Get Stuck

For EB-1 applicants, the main problems are:
– Backlogs due to high application numbers
– Stricter review and more evidence needed
– Slower processing and retrogressed priority dates, especially for high-volume countries

For K-1s, the main obstacles are:
– Consular interview denials
– Proof required for a real relationship
– Missing or incomplete documents during the overseas phase

Comparison Table

Below is a summary comparing both categories using the latest data:

Implications for Immigrants and Their Families

Growing demand for both EB-1 and K-1 programs shows many people around the world want to reunite or build a life in the United States 🇺🇸. But the process is becoming tougher. For workers and researchers (EB-1), it means working harder to stand out and spending more time and money on each application. For couples, it means moving quickly through the USCIS process but possibly hitting a wall at the consulate.

For everyone, planning and preparing good evidence is more important than ever. Even small mistakes can mean big delays or denials.

Factors Causing These Trends

Several factors are pushing these numbers higher:

• Pent-Up Demand: Many people waited during the pandemic because of travel bans and office closures, and now they are rushing to apply.
• USCIS Backlogs: Staff shortages and huge piles of old cases mean that new applicants must wait longer.
• Policy Shifts: Increased scrutiny and higher evidence requirements from USCIS and consular officers make the process slower and stricter.
• Annual Quotas: There is a fixed annual limit for how many green cards or K-1s can be given per category, slowing down the process as more people apply.
• Global Conditions: Uncertainty abroad, better opportunities in the United States 🇺🇸, and higher awareness of immigration pathways push people to act quickly.

Data Limitations and Judging the Numbers

It is important to note that statistics can only show part of the picture. Backlogs and unfinished cases mean that many are “pending” and not yet approved or denied. Approval rates can also shift as more people apply late in the year or as new rules change how officers judge a case.

Also, some cases are abandoned after long waits, so not all denials are failures—some just stop the process on their own. Applicants should watch for updates from USCIS and the Department of State, as rules, numbers, and wait times change often.

Advice for Applicants

Given the current trends, here are some tips for those thinking about applying:

For EB-1:
– Double-check all forms and supporting records for accuracy and detail.
– Gather extra proof of your achievements, awards, or media coverage.
– Work with lawyers or advisors familiar with employment-based U.S. immigration to respond to requests and speak to officers’ concerns.
– Stay updated with the latest USCIS processing times and visa bulletin updates.

For K-1s:
– Prepare every piece of evidence to prove a real relationship, including photos, chats, and travel history.
– Review all instructions for overseas interviews very carefully.
– Respond quickly to any requests for more evidence.
– Be ready for long waits and possible challenges, even after your USCIS approval.

The Role of USCIS and Government Agencies

USCIS is supposed to process applications and help people follow the legal steps to come to the United States 🇺🇸. As trends rise and more people apply, its staff are under more pressure, meaning cases take longer and standards get higher. The yearly caps on green cards and K-1s are decided by law, not by USCIS, making it hard to keep up with spikes in application numbers. Meanwhile, consular staff abroad also face more cases and stricter requirements after the pandemic.

What to Expect in the Near Future

Looking ahead, unless Congress raises the annual quotas or USCIS and the Department of State get more staff and funding, the backlogs for both EB-1 and K-1 are likely to remain for the near term. Applicants should be ready for:
– Even longer waits if demand stays this high
– More people having to re-apply after a denial
– Pushes for reforms as lawmakers hear from affected families and companies

Legislative or policy changes could help, but there are no quick fixes right now. Therefore, planning ahead and having a strong application is essential.

Methodology

The analysis above uses official data and announcements from USCIS, including historic and current case processing time statistics, approval and denial rates, and the monthly Visa Bulletin published by the Department of State. The numbers reflect trends up to early 2025 and focus on both completed and pending cases to give the broadest and most fair view possible.

Conclusion and Takeaways

The latest data paints a clear picture: as the world reopens and recovers from pandemic shutdowns, interest in moving to the United States 🇺🇸—both for top-tier jobs and marriage—is at an all-time high. With this demand comes stricter checks, slower reviews, and unpredictability, even for those with strong cases.

For EB-1 applicants, it is more important than ever to prove outstanding ability and ensure every detail is correct. For K-1s, the challenge is not just getting approved by USCIS, but surviving a tough interview process at the consulate overseas.

Both routes are open, but neither is easy. Families and workers must be prepared for a longer road ahead, with careful planning, full documentation, and an understanding of the current obstacles.

For more details or updated forms needed for each application type, applicants can always check the official USCIS website, which provides up-to-date statistics, instructions, and policy notices.

In summary, while the path to the United States 🇺🇸 remains popular, it is filled with new hurdles. Awareness, preparation, and staying current on policy shifts are the best tools to succeed—especially with EB-1 petitions and K-1s holding steady at the forefront of this new era of immigration.

Learn Today

EB-1 → A first-preference employment-based green card for individuals with extraordinary ability, outstanding professors, or multinational executives/managers.
K-1 Visa → A nonimmigrant visa allowing U.S. citizens to bring foreign fiancé(e)s to the U.S. for marriage and subsequent adjustment of status.
Retrogression → When a visa category’s priority date moves backward due to high demand, resulting in longer wait times for applicants.
Request for Evidence (RFE) → A formal USCIS notice asking applicants for additional documents or information to support their immigration petition.
Priority Date → The date a green card petition is filed, determining an applicant’s place in line for visa processing and availability.

This Article in a Nutshell

USCIS’s recent data reveals surging demand—and obstacles—for EB-1 green cards and K-1 fiancé(e) visas. Approval rates fall as applications spike. K-1 processing at USCIS is faster, but consular denials limit reunification. Applicants face lengthier waits, tougher evidence standards, and more scrutiny, highlighting the need for meticulous preparation and expert guidance.
— By VisaVerge.com

Read more:

• Key Evidence to Strengthen an EB-1A Visa Application
• USCIS Updates EB-1 Extraordinary Ability Eligibility Criteria
• EB-1 vs EB-3 Visa: Key Differences and Comparison for Immigrants
• EB-1 Visa vs DV Lottery: A Comparison Guide
• EB-1 vs EB-2 Visa Comparison: Key Differences Explained