US Green Card Halt: India EB-2 and EB-5 Categories Frozen for Remainder of FY 2026

The U.S. Department of State has confirmed that the EB-2 India and EB-5 Unreserved India employment-based visa categories have reached their annual numerical limits for fiscal year 2026. As a result, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will not issue green cards in these categories until the new fiscal year begins on October 1, 2026.

Applicants with pending I-485 adjustment of status applications in these categories will see their cases paused. USCIS will hold these applications and resume processing once the FY 2027 quota resets. No new visa numbers will be allocated during the freeze, which runs through September 30, 2026.

The freeze affects only final approvals, not the filing of new applications. USCIS will continue to accept and process I-485 applications, but cannot approve them until the new fiscal year. This is a standard administrative measure triggered by high demand and statutory per-country caps.

For Indian nationals, EB-2 has been a primary route for skilled workers, while EB-5 Unreserved applies to investors in new commercial enterprises. The halt adds to existing backlogs, which have grown due to per-country limits and high petition volumes.

Applicants in the affected categories should monitor USCIS announcements and prepare for potential delays. Those with urgent travel or work authorization needs may consider expedite requests, though approvals remain blocked until the quota resets.