Indian professionals applying for US permanent residency may encounter wait times extending up to 179 years, particularly in the EB-2 category, according to an analysis cited by Hindustan Times and reported by livemint.com. This backlog affects nearly one million Indian nationals due to a 7% country cap on Green Card allocations, which limits the number of applicants from any single country.
The 7% country cap restricts Indian applicants to a small fraction of the total Green Card allotments, causing a significant queue for Indian nationals. The National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP) analysis highlights that this cap is the primary reason behind the extensive backlog. The EB-2 category, which covers advanced degree professionals and those with exceptional ability, is particularly impacted, leading to the longest wait times. The report underscores that the cap does not adjust for population size or demand, resulting in disproportionate delays for Indian applicants.
This situation contrasts with applicants from other countries who face shorter processing times due to lower demand or absence of such restrictive caps. The backlog has raised concerns among Indian professionals and policymakers, as it affects the US tech and professional workforce reliant on Indian talent. Comparable immigration systems in other countries do not impose such stringent per-country limits, making the US system unique in this aspect. The extended wait times could influence career decisions and immigration plans for many skilled Indian workers.
The backlog figure of nearly one million Indian nationals awaiting Green Cards was confirmed by the NFAP analysis cited in the livemint.com report. The EB-2 category remains the most affected, with the 179-year wait time estimate underscoring the scale of the issue.