Visa Quota Closes Before September 30: Are EB-2 and EB-3 Numbers Already Exhausted?

Each September, USCIS historically accelerates green card adjudications to utilize the remaining annual visa number inventory before the fiscal year closes on September 30. However, community members are now reporting an unusual absence of EB-2 approvals and a sharp decline in EB-3 approvals, prompting concern that the annual quota may have already been exhausted. The question of whether visa numbers are 'exhausted' versus simply 'slow processing' carries significant practical implications. If the annual cap has been reached, USCIS cannot issue additional immigrant visas until the new fiscal year begins on October 1, regardless of how many cases are otherwise ready for approval. For EB-3 applicants specifically, this end-of-fiscal-year period can be both an opportunity and a bottleneck. When numbers remain available, USCIS may approve cases rapidly. When numbers run out early, applicants who were on the verge of approval may face delays extending into the next fiscal year. Applicants are advised to monitor the USCIS Visa Availability and Priority Dates page and the monthly Visa Bulletin for official guidance on number availability. No formal announcement has been made by USCIS or the Department of State confirming exhaustion of EB-2 or EB-3 numbers at this time.