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Is the EB-1 quota 40 thousand annually?

The annual EB-1 visa quota is theoretically 40 thousand, but actual demand tends to be lower, with the possibility of reallocating visa numbers between categories.

Written by

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Updated on September 4, 2025
2 min read
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Let’s begin by providing some context about employment-based immigration categories in the United States. EB (Employment-Based) visas are divided into different preferences, each with specific rules and limits as established by American legislation. Among these categories, EB-1 is intended for persons with extraordinary abilities, outstanding professors and researchers, and executives or managers of multinational companies.

Regarding the EB-1 quota, it is important to clarify that the US immigration law provides an annual limit for employment-based immigrant visas, which is approximately 140 thousand in total. Generally, each of the five preference categories – including EB-1 – has a theoretical limit of about 40 thousand visas per year. However, in practice, this number of 40 thousand for EB-1 is not always reached, since the demand and effective use of this category tend to be significantly lower than this ceiling.

Additionally, the system allows the possibility of reallocating unused visa numbers between categories, which can ease any pressure on the initially established limits.

It is crucial to always strictly follow immigration laws and seek information from official and reliable sources. If you have more specific questions or are considering proceeding with an application, I strongly recommend seeking assistance from professionals or specialized consultancies on the subject – thus avoiding scams or marketing campaigns promising unrealistic results. Each situation is unique, and a personalized analysis is essential to understand the best path to follow within the current regulations.

I hope this information has been helpful in clarifying your question. If you need more details, it is important to seek guidance through official channels or professionals specialized in United States immigration.

Learn more about EB-1 Visa

Category
EB-1 Green Card (1st priority)
Requirement
Extraordinary ability
Self-petition
Allowed (no sponsor needed)
Processing
6-18 months
All about EB-1 Visa
Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.

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Is the EB-1 quota 40 thousand annually?

The annual EB-1 visa quota is theoretically 40 thousand, but actual demand tends to be lower, with the possibility of reallocating visa numbers between categories.

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