A recent data from Boundless Immigration confirms US green card approvals for Indians falling to 35% in the first two quarters of FY26, down from 49.1% in FY25.

The approvals witnessed a 35% drop, and Indians are reported to be the hardest hit.

The approval rate for EB-1A green cards, which is the US route for extraordinary-skilled workers, has dropped drastically in FY26.

In FY25, of 14,250 petitions filed by Indians, 6,993 were approved, while 1,474 were denied.

In FY26 (first two quarters), Indians filed 7,316 petitions, of which 2,571 were approved, and 1,131 denied.

Immigration authorities reveal the decline as most pronounced among Indian technology workers, followed by Chinese applicants, who file the largest EB‑1A volumes.

The drop is noticeable amid tighter US immigration policies.

Even as EB‑2 and EB‑3 backlogs are stretching up to 15 years, Indian nationals are exploring alternatives such as EB‑1C (working abroad for a year as a manager/executive) and EB‑5 (investment‑based route, seeing a surge in Indian applicants).

Relocating to Canada or the UK, where talent visas are more accessible, also comes across as a promising alternative.

Despite courts questioning the methodology, adjudications seem extremely difficult, according to immigration experts. – Image credit: Freepik – editor@nrifocus.com