VisaBulletinCheck

About EB-2

The EB-2 category covers professionals with advanced degrees (master's or higher, or bachelor's plus 5 years progressive experience) and individuals with exceptional ability. Most EB-2 cases require a PERM labor certification, though National Interest Waiver (NIW) petitions are exempt.

EB-2 is one of the most backlogged categories, particularly for India and China. Indian nationals in EB-2 have historically faced the longest wait times in the entire immigration system, often exceeding a decade. The priority date is typically established when the PERM application is filed (or the I-140 for NIW cases).

Recent legislative proposals have aimed to recapture unused visa numbers and clear the backlog, but as of the most recent bulletin, significant wait times persist for India and China.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current EB-2 priority date cutoff?

Use the lookup tool above to see the latest cutoff dates published in the State Department Visa Bulletin.

Why is EB-2 India so backlogged?

Per-country caps limit each nation to 7% of employment-based visas. India's large H-1B population creates massive demand that far exceeds available numbers.

What is EB-2 NIW?

National Interest Waiver allows EB-2 applicants to skip the PERM process if their work is in the national interest. The priority date rules are the same.