Analysis of U.S. Employment-Based Immigration Data Over the Past Five Years
Introduction
Based on official data from the website of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, this report provides a comprehensive analysis of employment-based immigration petitions (including EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 categories) filed by applicants from China annually between 2020 and 2024, with the aim to reveal the application petition trends, adjudication situation, and the characteristics of each employment-based preference immigrant category.
Filing Volume Trend
Over the past five years (2020–2024), the annual filing volume of employment-based immigration petitions filed by Chinese applicants has shown a fluctuating trend. The filing volume peaked in 2021 to 24,709, declined to 19,936 in 2022, and then rose again in 2023 and 2024. Notably, in 2024, the filing number surged significantly to 35,491. This indicates that, after a period of fluctuation, there has been a clear upward trend for U.S. employment-based immigration category among Chinese applicants.
Introduction
Based on official data from the website of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, this report provides a comprehensive analysis of employment-based immigration petitions (including EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 categories) filed by applicants from China annually between 2020 and 2024, with the aim to reveal the application petition trends, adjudication situation, and the characteristics of each employment-based preference immigrant category.
Filing Volume Trend
Over the past five years (2020–2024), the annual filing volume of employment-based immigration petitions filed by Chinese applicants has shown a fluctuating trend. The filing volume peaked in 2021 to 24,709, declined to 19,936 in 2022, and then rose again in 2023 and 2024. Notably, in 2024, the filing number surged significantly to 35,491. This indicates that, after a period of fluctuation, there has been a clear upward trend for U.S. employment-based immigration category among Chinese applicants.
(Overview of Employment-Based Immigration Petition Approvals for Chinese Applicants)
Category Analysis
Category Analysis
EB1 (First Preference category)
Total approvals: The number of approved petitions has increased steadily, rising from 4,392 in 2020 to 10,488 in 2024. In particular, the growth accelerated significantly between 2022 and 2024.
[First Preference (EB1)]
Adjudication trends: The number of approvals generally reflects the overall growth trend in petition filing. In 2024, 5,122 petitions were approved, despite a slight decline from a year earlier. The number of denials remained relatively stable between 2020 and 2023, but dropped significantly in 2024 to only 592.
Subcategories: Among subcategories, the “Aliens with Extraordinary Ability (E11)” category saw the highest number of applications, with continued annual growth, reaching 2,801 filings in 2024. Applications for “Outstanding Professors and Researchers (E12)” and “Multinational Managers and Executives (E13)” also showed upward trends, reaching 1,579 and 742 filings in 2024, respectively.
Adjudication trends: The number of approvals generally reflects the overall growth trend in petition filing. In 2024, 5,122 petitions were approved, despite a slight decline from a year earlier. The number of denials remained relatively stable between 2020 and 2023, but dropped significantly in 2024 to only 592.
Subcategories: Among subcategories, the “Aliens with Extraordinary Ability (E11)” category saw the highest number of applications, with continued annual growth, reaching 2,801 filings in 2024. Applications for “Outstanding Professors and Researchers (E12)” and “Multinational Managers and Executives (E13)” also showed upward trends, reaching 1,579 and 742 filings in 2024, respectively.
EB2 (Second Preference category)
Total filings: The highest number of petitions was recorded in 2020, with 10,913 filings. The number declined in subsequent years but rose again in 2024 to 17,283.
Adjudication trends: The number of approvals generally followed the overall trend in total filings. In 2024, 9,913 petitions were approved, slightly lower than the previous year. The number of denials remained at a relatively low and stable level, reaching 484 in 2024.
Adjudication trends: The number of approvals generally followed the overall trend in total filings. In 2024, 9,913 petitions were approved, slightly lower than the previous year. The number of denials remained at a relatively low and stable level, reaching 484 in 2024.
Subcategories: Professionals Holding Advanced Degrees (E21) represent the main applicant group, and the number of petitions has been steadily increasing over the years, reaching 9,913 in 2024.
[Second Preference (EB2)]
EB3 (Third Preference category)
Total filings: The number of petitions showed significant fluctuations, peaking at 10,397 in 2021, followed by a sharp decline, and then a partial recovery in 2024 with 7,720 filings.
Adjudication trends: The number of approvals generally followed the overall trend in total filings, reaching 6,678 in 2024, with a pullback of approval rate. The number of denials remained at a low level, with only 24 cases denied in 2024.
Adjudication trends: The number of approvals generally followed the overall trend in total filings, reaching 6,678 in 2024, with a pullback of approval rate. The number of denials remained at a low level, with only 24 cases denied in 2024.
Subcategories: Professionals with a Bachelor’s Degree (E32) represent the largest applicant group, with the highest number of filings, reaching 6,087 in 2024. In comparison, the number of petitions for Skilled Workers (E31) and Other Workers (EW3) remained relatively low.
[Third Preference (EB3)]
Adjudication Overview
The majority of employment-based immigration petitions were approved, with a relatively high approval rate. From 2020 to 2024, a total of 192,354 petitions were approved, accounting for approximately 85.9% of the total 223,848 filings. The denial rate remained relatively low; however, a notable number of petitions were denied: 16,361 in total from 2020 to 2024, representing 7.3% of the total. The number of cases in pending and other non-final adjudication statuses increased significantly in 2024, particularly for the EB-1 and EB-2 categories, which may indicate delays or backlogs in the adjudication process.
Adjudication Overview
The majority of employment-based immigration petitions were approved, with a relatively high approval rate. From 2020 to 2024, a total of 192,354 petitions were approved, accounting for approximately 85.9% of the total 223,848 filings. The denial rate remained relatively low; however, a notable number of petitions were denied: 16,361 in total from 2020 to 2024, representing 7.3% of the total. The number of cases in pending and other non-final adjudication statuses increased significantly in 2024, particularly for the EB-1 and EB-2 categories, which may indicate delays or backlogs in the adjudication process.
Conclusions
Over the past five years, the number of employment-based immigration petitions filed by Chinese applicants has shown a fluctuating but overall upward trend. Notably, the EB-1 and EB-2 categories have experienced significant increases in filing volumes. The majority of petitions were approved; however, a portion of filings were either denied or remained pending. There are also notable differences among subcategories. “Aliens with Extraordinary Ability (E11)” and “Professionals Holding Advanced Degrees (E21)” have become the main applicant groups within their respective categories. The data for 2024 indicates a sharp increase in the total number of filings. However, the number of approvals did not rise at the same pace, resulting in a growing backlog of pending and other non-final cases. Looking ahead, this trend may continue as immigration policies evolve and the number of applicants increases.
Over the past five years, the number of employment-based immigration petitions filed by Chinese applicants has shown a fluctuating but overall upward trend. Notably, the EB-1 and EB-2 categories have experienced significant increases in filing volumes. The majority of petitions were approved; however, a portion of filings were either denied or remained pending. There are also notable differences among subcategories. “Aliens with Extraordinary Ability (E11)” and “Professionals Holding Advanced Degrees (E21)” have become the main applicant groups within their respective categories. The data for 2024 indicates a sharp increase in the total number of filings. However, the number of approvals did not rise at the same pace, resulting in a growing backlog of pending and other non-final cases. Looking ahead, this trend may continue as immigration policies evolve and the number of applicants increases.
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