The EB1A approval rate has decreased to 60.65%, down from 70.5% just months ago, raising concerns for current and prospective applicants. This decline means that nearly 4 out of 10 EB1A petitions are now being denied or receiving Requests for Evidence (RFEs). As of February 2026, the RFE rate for regularly processed cases stands at 49%, indicating that applicants face nearly a 50% chance of receiving additional scrutiny.
Key Details:
- Current EB1A approval rate: 60.65%
- Previous approval rate: 70.5%
- RFE rate for regular cases: 49% as of February 2026
- Factors driving the decline include more aggressive merit determinations and enhanced evidence requirements.
Despite these statistics, well-prepared cases continue to perform better than average. The decline in approval rates is primarily affecting self-filed petitions lacking strategic guidance, generic recommendation letters, and those attempting to meet too many criteria with weak supporting evidence. The standard for strong applicants remains unchanged, but USCIS has become less tolerant of poorly prepared cases. Preparation is now crucial for success in the EB1A application process.
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Source: Raghu Reddy Suram