2024 EB-2 NIW trends
Navigating the EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) process can be challenging, especially for professionals aspiring to secure this green card category in 2025. By examining 2024 trends in approval rates and denials, applicants can gain vital insights into how to strengthen their cases. This article explores current data trends for EB-2 NIW petitions based on data published by USCIS and provides actionable tips to improve your chances of success.
Breaking down 2024 EB-2 NIW approval trends
Recent USCIS data for Fiscal Year 2024 (Q1-Q4) reveals significant insights into the EB-2 NIW landscape. Here’s a summary of the key full year figures:
- Petitions Filed: 63,549
- Approved: 27,526 (43%)
- Denied: 11,256 (18%)
- Pending: 44,093 (69%)
Note: Percentages are based on the number of received petitions, and totals do not sum to 100% due to rolling cases from prior years being approved, denied, or still pending.
These figures highlight increasing scrutiny from USCIS, possibly driven by two factors: the agency’s higher quality expectations for approved cases or a rising number of filings from applicants who may not fully meet the eligibility criteria—or a combination of both.
The sharp increase in pending cases, from 22,756 in Q1 2024 to 44,093 in Q4 2024, may also suggest a higher volume of Requests for Evidence (RFEs) being issued. This could indicate delays as USCIS waits for petitioner responses or reflects inefficiencies in processing timelines. Alternatively, it might result from a significant influx of new petitions compared to previous years, adding pressure to the existing backlog—a trend that could be further analyzed using historical data and upcoming visa bulletins in the months ahead.
Petitions by country of birth
USCIS data reveals variations in approval rates based on petitioners’ country of birth:
- China: 3,644 received | 1,347 approved (37%)
- India: 2,501 received | 740 approved (30%)
- Brazil: 2,003 received | 310 approved (15%)
- Nigeria: 1,277 received | 408 approved (32%)
- Iran: 1,131 received | 397 approved (35%)
Although some petitions may have rolled over from prior periods, Brazil’s lower average approval percentage is notable. This trend underscores the importance of presenting a robust, well-documented petition tailored to USCIS standards.
Petitions by U.S. state
Approval rates also vary across states:
- California: 2,864 received | 761 approved (27%)
- Texas: 2,059 received | 660 approved (32%)
- New York: 2,054 received | 336 approved (16%)
- Florida: 1,433 received | 325 approved (23%)
- Unknown (likely international filings): 2,696 received | 549 approved (20%)
Although some petitions may have rolled over from prior periods, New York’s notably lower approval percentage is evident, and might suggest poor quality of filed petitions from this state.
Insights for 2025 petitioners
The 2024 data paints a complex picture of the EB-2 NIW landscape, marked by increased scrutiny, pending backlogs, and variations in approval rates by geography and nationality. Applicants can strengthen their chances of approval by:
- Clearly demonstrating how your work serves the national interest, as this is one of the most common concerns raised in RFEs for EB-2 NIW petitions. Far more frequent than challenges related to proving substantial merit.
- Providing robust documentation of your qualifications and contributions, highlighting why you are uniquely positioned to execute your proposed endeavor and why you are more qualified than a minimally qualified worker in a similar role.
At Self Petition USA, we specialize in crafting compelling petitions. You can choose from our Starter Kit, a comprehensive set of document templates that serve as examples, or opt for a fully tailored petition created by Selfpetition AI which includes our review, list of proposed evidence and suggestions on how to enhance your petition’s strength and chances of success.
