The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reports a notable increase in employment-based green card petitions filed on behalf of Nepali nationals in the first six months of fiscal year 2025. A total of 2,080 I-140 petitions were submitted, marking a significant rise compared to previous periods.
This figure represents a 31.5% increase over the first six months of fiscal year 2024, when only 1,582 I-140 applications were filed for Nepalis. Additionally, the current numbers show a 14.1% increase compared to the 1,823 applications submitted in the latter half of fiscal year 2024.
During the first six months of 2025, USCIS approved 1,187 petitions, a figure that includes both newly filed applications and those carried over from prior periods.
Employment-based green card applications are categorized into three main preferences: EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3, each tailored to specific qualifications and skill levels.
In the EB-1 category, targeting individuals with extraordinary abilities, outstanding researchers, or multinational executives, 76 Nepali nationals filed I-140 petitions in the first half of 2025. Of these, 60 claimed extraordinary ability in fields such as science, arts, education, business, or athletics; 10 applied as outstanding professors or researchers; and 6 as multinational executives or managers.
Approvals in this category included 32 for extraordinary ability, 9 for outstanding professors/researchers, and 4 for multinational executives/managers. Despite relatively high USCIS approval rates for EB-1 petitions, the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu frequently rejects EB-1 visa applications, highlighting ongoing concerns regarding fraudulent documentation and the rigorous eligibility standards applicants must meet.
The EB-2 category, for professionals with advanced degrees or those contributing to U.S. national interests, saw 576 Nepali applicants. Among them, 106 applied as professionals with advanced degrees or equivalent experience, while a significant 470 sought a National Interest Waiver (NIW), which allows individuals to demonstrate substantial contributions to U.S. national interests.
Approvals included 99 advanced-degree professionals and 157 NIW applicants. Nepali applicants frequently emphasized their expertise in critical sectors such as healthcare, technology, and research, aligning with U.S. national priorities.
The EB-3 category, which includes skilled workers, professionals with bachelor’s degrees, and lesser-skilled workers, recorded the highest volume of petitions, with 1,428 Nepali I-140 filings. This included 910 skilled workers, 208 professionals with bachelor’s degrees, and 310 unskilled workers.
Approvals in this category comprised 363 skilled workers, 216 bachelor’s degree professionals, and 309 lesser-skilled workers. The high application and approval rates in EB-3 underscore its accessibility for Nepali workers seeking opportunities in the U.S. labor market.
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Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
