The U.S. Department of State has announced that all available EB-2 visas for fiscal year 2024 have been issued, effectively halting new approvals until the next fiscal year.
The EB-2 visa, designated for foreign workers with advanced degrees or exceptional abilities, is subject to an annual cap under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). This cap allows for 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based visa limit to be allocated to EB-2 applicants. For 2024, that limit has now been reached, and no further EB-2 visas will be issued by U.S. embassies and consulates until the new fiscal year begins on October 1, 2024.
For employers, this means the EB-2 program is temporarily paused, delaying the hiring of foreign talent under this category until the next fiscal year. However, this period offers an opportunity for both employers and prospective workers to prepare for the FY 2025 visa window.
This news follows last month’s announcement by the State Department that all visas in the EB-3, Other Workers (EW), and EB-5 categories had also been fully issued for fiscal year 2024.
