EB-2 Second Preference
Advanced degree or exceptional ability (incl. NIW)
EB-2 covers members of the professions holding advanced degrees or persons of exceptional ability. The National Interest Waiver (NIW) lets qualifying applicants skip PERM and an employer sponsor. China- and India-born EB-2 applicants carry the longest backlogs.
Data updated 2026-10-16 · Source: U.S. Department of State — Visa Bulletin For October 2026
Current Final Action Dates
| Category | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | CHINA-mainland born | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES | Change vs last month |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-2 Second Preference | 2025-01-01 | 2021-10-01 | 2013-11-01 | 2025-01-01 | 2025-01-01 | Advanced 30 d |
The movement column shows China-mainland born.
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