The K-1 fiancé visa system is entering a new phase. After years of pandemic-related backlogs, U.S. officials issued more K-1 visas in 2024 than in any year in more than a decade—but new data shows that processing improvements are already beginning to reverse, with pending petitions and processing times rising again. Researchers at Manifest Law analyzed the latest data from USCIS, the U.S. Department of State, and the Department of Homeland Security to examine how the K-1 fiancé visa system has changed, including where K-1 fiancé visa holders are settling across the U.S.

The K-1 fiancé visa system is entering a new phase. After years of pandemic-related backlogs, U.S. officials issued more K-1 visas in 2024 than in any year in more than a decade—but new data shows that processing improvements are already beginning to reverse, with pending petitions and processing times rising again. Researchers at Manifest Law analyzed the latest data from USCIS, the U.S. Department of State, and the Department of Homeland Security to examine how the K-1 fiancé visa system has changed, including where K-1 fiancé visa holders are settling across the U.S.

A new analysis from Manifest Law found that pending family-based green card applications reached 543,486 in 2025—the highest level on record and up 180% since 2015. The timing is notable. Recent USCIS policy changes signal a major shift in how many family-based green card cases may be processed moving forward, raising questions about what happens to the hundreds of thousands of applicants currently waiting in the system. Under the new USCIS guidance, many family green card applicants may be required to leave the U.S. and complete processing through a consulate overseas. Researchers analyzed USCIS family-based immigration data to identify the states and field office regions with the most pending family green card cases. The report ranks locations by total pending Form I-485 family-based applications, and highlights the communities that could be most affected by changes to family green card processing.

A new analysis from Manifest Law found that pending family-based green card applications reached 543,486 in 2025—the highest level on record and up 180% since 2015. The timing is notable. Recent USCIS policy changes signal a major shift in how many family-based green card cases may be processed moving forward, raising questions about what happens to the hundreds of thousands of applicants currently waiting in the system. Under the new USCIS guidance, many family green card applicants may be required to leave the U.S. and complete processing through a consulate overseas. Researchers analyzed USCIS family-based immigration data to identify the states and field office regions with the most pending family green card cases. The report ranks locations by total pending Form I-485 family-based applications, and highlights the communities that could be most affected by changes to family green card processing.