STEM-Related Petition Trends 2018-2023

This Fact Sheet released by USCIS summarizes key trends in employment-based immigration categories, particularly EB-2 and O-1A receipts vs approval rate, between FY 2018 and FY 2023. Here are the main points:

1. Policy Guidance Update (January 2022): USCIS clarified how professionals in STEM fields can qualify for the National Interest Waiver (NIW) under EB-2 and the extraordinary ability classification (O-1A).

2. EB-2 Petition Trends:

   • Increase in EB-2 Petitions: Following the policy changes, EB-2 receipts rose by 20% from FY 2021 to FY 2022 and continued increasing into FY 2023.

   • National Interest Waivers (NIWs): The use of NIWs grew significantly. The percentage of NIW petitions rose from 21% in FY 2021 to 43% in FY 2023.

3. STEM-Specific Trends:

   • Despite the overall rise in EB-2 petitions, STEM-related EB-2 petitions saw a decline of 13% between FY 2022 and FY 2023, while non-STEM petitions increased by 28%.

4. O-1A Petition Trends:

   • There was a 29% increase in O-1A petitions between FY 2021 and FY 2022, with continued growth in FY 2023. Approvals followed a similar trend, particularly in STEM-related O-1A petitions, which saw a 33% increase from FY 2022 to FY 2023.

5. Approval Rates: The approval rate remained stable at 90% or above for both EB-2 and O-1A petitions during this period.

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