USCIS Publishes Updated Employment-Based I‑485 Inventory Data as of November 2025
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has released updated data detailing the number of pending Form I‑485 applications in the employment-based preference categories as of November 3, 2025. Notably, published in March 2026, the data shows pending adjustment cases in EB‑1, EB‑2, EB‑3, and other classifications.
Additionally, the inventory shows pending green card applications by preference type, country, and estimated priority date. The report offers insight into demand levels and pending case distribution, not case-specific processing times.
The official dataset is available through USCIS’s published employment-based inventory report.
What the Employment-Based Inventory Report Measures
The employment-based I‑485 inventory report measures the volume of adjustment of status applications that applicants have filed and that remain pending at USCIS as of the reporting date. It details pending cases by employment-based category, including EB‑1, EB‑2, EB‑3, and other classifications.
The review further segments the data by country of chargeability and the month and year of the estimated priority date. This structure shows where demand concentrates and how backlogged categories compare to visa availability.
Importantly, the inventory does not represent approval forecasts or adjudication speeds. Rather, it reflects the volume of cases currently in the pipeline awaiting visa availability and final action.
Relationship to Visa Bulletin Movement and Retrogression
Although the inventory report does not determine Visa Bulletin cutoff dates, the volume of pending cases in a given category or country can influence how the Department of State allocates immigrant visa numbers throughout the fiscal year.
High inventory in oversubscribed categories may increase retrogression likelihood or slow final action date movement. Conversely, lower inventory levels in certain classifications may result in steadier advancement, depending on visa demand and usage.
Stakeholders review this data to understand the green card landscape and demand trends affecting Visa Bulletin. However, inventory levels alone do not guarantee specific movement patterns.
Practical Considerations for Employers and Adjustment Applicants
For foreign nationals with pending employment-based adjustment applications, the inventory release underscores the importance of maintaining eligibility throughout the extended waiting period. Applicants relying on underlying nonimmigrant status should continue ensuring compliance with the terms of that status where applicable.
Employers must meet compliance obligations, maintaining accurate job descriptions and consistent conditions with the approved petition.
While the inventory report provides transparency into overall case volumes, individual adjudication timelines may vary based on workload distribution, background checks, visa availability, and case-specific factors.
Broader Implications for Employment-Based Green Card Demand
The November 2025 inventory snapshot reflects ongoing high demand in key employment-based categories, particularly in classifications historically affected by per-country caps. The reporting format allows stakeholders to evaluate the comparative size of backlogs across categories and chargeability areas.
The data offers HR professionals and applicants a clearer view of pending employment-based adjustment filings. It helps understand how many cases remain as USCIS and the State Department manage visa allocation.
USCIS inventory updates are crucial for assessing green card system pressures and trends as demand evolves.
