FY2025 Q4 EB-1A & NIW Approval Rate Drop Sharply, Adjudication Standards Tighten

Recently, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released the latest approval and denial data for EB-1A and NIW petitions for the fourth quarter of Fiscal Year 2025 (July–September 2025).

The approval rate for NIW was 35.7%, while EB-1A stood at 53.4%.

FY2025 Q4 EB-1A & NIW Approval Rates

Overall, the data sends a clear signal: approval standards are becoming increasingly stringent. At the same time, we have encountered many recent cases where applicants with strong backgrounds were denied after filing on their own (DIY) or through non-professional agencies. However, after restructuring their cases with a professional team, many were ultimately approved.

Under the current tightening standards, a professional and reliable team, along with well-structured documentation and strategic case presentation, has become a decisive factor for success. For applicants without exceptionally strong profiles, it is highly advisable to carefully select experienced and trustworthy professionals, or avoid DIY filings, in order to reduce costly trial-and-error.

EB-1A / NIW Approval Rate Breakdown

In Q4 FY2025, EB-1A recorded an approval rate of 53%, while NIW dropped to 36%.

• EB-1A (E11): 2,331 approvals and 2,033 denials, with an approval rate of 53.4%

• NIW: 2,968 approvals and 5,356 denials, with an approval rate of only 35.7%

Looking at the full Fiscal Year 2025:

• Q1: EB-1A 73.4%, NIW 62.7%

• Q2: EB-1A 72.7%, NIW 67.3%

• Q3: EB-1A 66.6%, NIW 55.0%

• Q4: EB-1A 53.4%, NIW 35.7%

Historically, EB-1A approval rates had remained relatively stable in the 70%–75% range. However, the drop to 53.4% in Q4 FY2025 marks a recent low, indicating stricter enforcement trends in employment-based immigration.

NIW, once considered the “most accessible” pathway, is becoming significantly more difficult:

• ~90% approval rate before 2022

• ~80% in 2023

• ~71% in 2024

• 35.7% in Q4 FY2025

  
  

This is no longer a fluctuation, it is a sharp, structural decline.

In Q4 FY2025, China and India remained the top two countries for EB-1A and NIW petition activity overall.

Filings from mainland China, however, declined this quarter, with 1,840 EB-1A and 2,330 NIW petitions submitted—both lower than in Q3. Approval numbers also tightened significantly, with only 460 EB-1A and 715 NIW cases approved.

Meanwhile, the Indian applicant pool continued to show strong and steady demand for these self-petition EB-1A and NIW categories, despite ongoing backlogs. India led in EB-1A approvals with 598 cases, and recorded 426 NIW approvals. Filing volumes remained robust, with 1,613 EB-1A and 1,685 NIW petitions submitted in Q4.

Why Are Approval Rates Declining?

The decline is not due to weaker applicants—but rather a shift in adjudication logic.

Increased Discretionary Review

Since 2025, USCIS has applied stricter standards at the final merits determination stage. Officers now exercise broader discretionary authority, evaluating not only whether criteria are met, but also:

• Compliance history

• Moral character

• Overall credibility

• Logical consistency and persuasiveness of the case

The weight of the Final Merits Determination has increased significantly and often becomes the decisive factor.

Changing “National Interest” Standard for NIW

Previously, emphasis was placed on potential and industry contribution. Now, USCIS focuses more on measurable and tangible impact within the United States.

In other words: a compelling narrative alone is no longer sufficient—results must be demonstrated.

Higher Evidence Standards Across the Board

Supporting materials—such as recommendation letters, media coverage, awards, and patents—are now expected to demonstrate greater authority, clearer logical coherence, and more direct, verifiable evidence of impact.

Longer Processing Times (A Hidden Risk)

Standard processing times have increased significantly. As of March 2026, average adjudication takes approximately 24 months for NIW and 23.5 months for EB-1A when premium processing is not used. Extended processing times over the past two years have led to:

• More thorough and rigorous review of each case

• Increased backlog, making weaker cases more vulnerable to quick denials

Unclear RFE / NOID Requests

In practice, some adjudicators provide vague or non-specific Requests for Evidence (RFE) or Notices of Intent to Deny (NOID), making it difficult for applicants to respond effectively and increasing uncertainty.

For applicants working with My Visa Services, the decline in approval rates is not necessarily bad news. From another perspective, it helps filter out a large number of competing applicants in the queue. We remain results-driven, focusing on deeply refining each case’s documentation and strategic framework. Our goal is to help qualified applicants stand out and succeed—even under increasingly stringent adjudication standards—so that those with real merit are truly recognized.