Form I-130 FY 2025 Update: Approvals Up 10.5% But Experience Varies Widely

USCIS processed more than one million Form I-130 family-based petitions in fiscal year 2025, with overall approval numbers rising approximately 10.5% compared to the prior year. The overall approval rate climbed from roughly 87% to nearly 89%, while denial rates saw a slight decline — figures that appear positive on the surface. However, the aggregate statistics mask a significant divide in outcomes. Spousal petitions fared considerably better than petitions filed for other family preference categories, suggesting that processing improvements were not evenly distributed across petition types. For EB-3 applicants who may be transitioning from or coordinating with family-based petitions, these trends are relevant context. Many employment-based green card applicants also have concurrent or pending I-130 petitions for family members, and processing time disparities can affect overall immigration timelines. The data reflects USCIS's ongoing efforts to reduce backlogs, though the uneven distribution of improvements signals that certain family categories continue to face higher scrutiny or longer queues. Applicants in non-spousal preference categories should prepare for a more challenging adjudication environment. Those with pending I-130 petitions are advised to consult with an immigration attorney to understand how FY 2025 trends may affect their specific case, particularly if their petition falls outside the spousal category.