EB-3 and EW Visa Cap Limit Reached for FY 2025

The United States has exhausted its annual visa allocation for the EB-3 (skilled workers and professionals) and EW (other workers) employment-based immigration categories for fiscal year 2025. This development carries significant implications for foreign nationals currently in the EB-3 pipeline awaiting green card approval. When annual visa caps are reached, the Department of State typically responds by retrogressing priority dates in subsequent Visa Bulletins. This means applicants whose priority dates were previously current may find themselves temporarily ineligible to file for adjustment of status or receive an immigrant visa at a consulate abroad. Retrogression can introduce months of unexpected delay into an otherwise progressing case. Applicants with pending I-485 (Adjustment of Status) applications or those planning to file should monitor the monthly Visa Bulletin releases from the Department of State closely. Priority dates that appear current today may move backward in the coming months as USCIS and the NVC manage the remaining FY 2025 visa numbers. Employers sponsoring EB-3 workers should reassess their immigration timelines and communicate proactively with affected employees. Immigration counsel can help evaluate whether any protective filings or alternative strategies are available given the cap situation. The annual visa cap resets at the start of fiscal year 2026 on October 1, 2025, at which point new visa numbers become available and dates may advance again. Applicants should use this period to ensure all supporting documentation is current and any outstanding requests for evidence are addressed promptly.