USCIS has reported a dramatic decline in the approval rates for EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) petitions, marking a historic low where denials have outnumbered approvals for the first time. In Fiscal Year 2025, the approval rate fell to 55.2%, with a staggering 35.7% approval rate recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Key Details:
- FY 2022 approval rate: 95.7%
- FY 2024 approval rate: 71%
- FY 2025 approval rate: 55.2%
- Q4 2025 approval rate: 35.7% (historic low)
- Number of petitions filed in FY 2025: 66,276 (up 4.3% from previous year)
- Average processing time: 24 months (increased from 19.5 months)
- Request for Evidence (RFE) rate: 50% as of January 2026
The increase in denial rates, which have surged from 4% to nearly 45% in three years, highlights a significant shift in the evidentiary requirements for applicants, despite the legal standards remaining unchanged. This trend poses challenges for prospective immigrants seeking to navigate the EB-2 NIW process.
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Source: Majedul islam