Does the EB-1 have an annual visa quota?

Yes, there is a limit. Employment-based green cards, including the EB-1, are numerically limited each year under U.S. law. This is not an unlimited category.

These limits work in layers: there is an annual cap for the full set of employment-based categories, a share allocated to each preference (such as the EB-1), and per-country-of-birth limits as well. The system also includes mechanisms for redistributing unused visas between categories, which means the number actually available can shift from year to year.

For that reason, citing a fixed number is not advisable. The exact figures change based on law, demand, and queue movement, and are published and updated through official channels. The correct way to track availability is through the Visa Bulletin issued by the Department of State and the guidance published by USCIS.

• The EB-1 does have an annual limit; it is not unlimited.
• Allocations are divided by category and by country of birth.
• Exact figures change and must be verified at the official source.

Before setting timelines or expectations, consult the Visa Bulletin and USCIS or speak with a specialist to understand the current landscape.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.