USCIS FY2025 Q4 Approval Rates Drop Sharply for EB-1A and EB-2 NIW

USCIS has released its fourth quarter approval rate data for Fiscal Year 2025, revealing a notable decline in approval rates for several employment-based immigration categories. The data, which had been anticipated since January, shows a continuing downward trend across Q3 and Q4 for both the EB-1A Extraordinary Ability and EB-2 National Interest Waiver categories. For the full fiscal year 2025, the EB-1A category held an overall approval rate of 66.9%, while the EB-2 NIW came in at 55.2%. The O-1 nonimmigrant visa remained relatively stable at 93.9% for the year. However, Q4 figures paint a more concerning picture: EB-1A approvals fell to 53.4% and EB-2 NIW dropped to just 35.7% — the lowest quarterly figures recorded in the dataset. The quarterly breakdown shows a consistent decline beginning in Q3. EB-1A approval rates fell from 74.8% in Q1 to 53.4% by Q4, while EB-2 NIW dropped from 62.7% in Q1 to 35.7% in Q4. The O-1 category showed greater stability, declining only marginally from 94.4% to 92.7% over the same period. While this data covers EB-1A and EB-2 NIW rather than EB-3 directly, the broader trend of tightening USCIS adjudication standards may have implications across employment-based categories. Applicants and their attorneys should monitor for similar trends in EB-3 processing and prepare petitions with comprehensive documentation. This data was shared by Manifest Law as general information and does not constitute legal advice. Individuals with pending or planned petitions are encouraged to consult a licensed immigration attorney to assess how current adjudication trends may affect their cases.