The Highlights
|
Officially known as a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status, the green card is a golden ticket for millions of residents in the U.S. seeking long-term stability. However, the ever-mounting demand for green cards has led to a complex quota system that directs who gets in and when.
Find out how it all works and discover the latest updates to the quotas with this Luo & Associates guide.
What are LPR Quotas?
The green card system works under a system of annual limits set by Congress under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). As such, our coverage of the USA green card news will focus on prevailing changes to this quota system and how it stands today.
These quotas are designed to impose finite limits on documents issued each fiscal year across major categories like family-sponsored, employment-based, diversity lottery, and special immigrants.
Major Quotas for 2025
According to the latest visa bulletin for November issued by the State Department, these are the major category-based quotas for the year.
|
Category |
Annual Limit |
|
Family-sponsored |
226,000 (unlimited for spouses and children of U.S. citizens and preference categories like F1-F4) |
|
Employment-based |
140,000 |
|
Diversity lottery |
~55,000 |
|
Special immigrants (refugees, etc.) |
Variable (generally between 50,000 and 100,000) |
The Annual Cap
Visas for spouses and children might be unlimited, but they’re still subject to annual caps, and the latest USA green card news brings no significant changes to this system. The per-country limit for preference immigrants is set at 7% of the total number of annual family-sponsored and employment-based limits, bringing the cap to 25,620.
Why Green Card Quotas are Important
Promoting Orderly Migration
Quotas create a structured pathway for long-term migration, allowing federal agencies like USCIS to better allocate resources for processing applications and provide support. Without a quota system in place, officials would find it difficult to process applicants, and local administrations might struggle to plan for housing and other services effectively.
Ensuring Diversity
One aspect that most pieces of USA green card news overlook is the role played by limits in promoting diversity. The category-based allocation of limits ensures that no single priority dominates in green card allocation. The diversity lottery, in particular, plays a huge role in streamlining immigration for underrepresented demographics.
Safeguarding Economic Stability and National Security
Quotas also play a major role in maintaining the balance of the labor market, protecting wages for citizens, and ensuring opportunities for U.S. workers alike. Green cards achieve all this while gradually integrating newcomers who contribute billions annually to the GDP.
The Latest USA Green Card News
Change has been slow in general compared to the breakneck pace of H-1B visa changes in 2025 so far.
The Dignity Act of 2025
The Dignity Act has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives but has yet to be passed. If passed, it would raise per-country caps from 7% to 15% of the total employment-based or family-sponsored visas. It also seeks to reduce backlogs to a maximum of ten years.
Incremental Bulletin Progress
The visa bulletin that denotes green card quotas has seen only modest progress. There have been no major category expansions, and applicants from certain competitive categories still face a decade-long wait time. For example, EB-2 for Indian applicants is still set at December 2013.
Change is Easier with Luo & Associates
Whether you’re anxiously looking up the latest USA green card news or fretting about impending changes to work visas, we know how tough it can be to successfully apply in 2025. With a 99% approval rate and over 10 years of experience, Luo & Associates is your visa fast-track. Get a free consultation today to get started!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can priority dates for employment-based categories be moved back?
Yes. This is known as retrogression, and it happens when the demand for a certain category of visa (EB, in this case) exceeds the supply. This usually causes delays for green card applicants.
What’s the best way to keep up with green card news in the USA?
The State Department releases regular visa bulletins, but you can always check with Luo & Associates to get the highlights! Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about green card quotas.
Are there any changes in the naturalization process for green card holders?
Yes. The Naturalization Test has been revamped and modernized. More specifically, applicants now need to answer 12 out of 20 questions correctly to pass.