The U.S. Department of State has released the April 2025 Visa Bulletin, outlining significant changes for family-sponsored and employment-based immigrant visa applicants. This bulletin determines priority dates, retrogressions, and filing dates that affect thousands of applicants worldwide. If you’re planning to apply for a green card or awaiting visa availability, these updates are crucial to understand .
Understanding the Visa Bulletin
The Visa Bulletin, issued monthly, includes two essential tables:
- Dates for Filing: The earliest an applicant can submit their green card application.
- Final Action Dates: The date when visas can be issued or status adjustments can be finalized.
For April 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed that employment-based applications will be processed, making it an important period for those waiting for their green cards.
Major Changes in Employment-Based Visa Categories
Applicants from India and China will be particularly impacted by these key adjustments:
- EB-5 Unreserved Category:
- India: The priority date is now November 1, 2019.
- China: This category has retrogressed to January 22, 2014.
- EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 for India:
- Slight progress has been made, but high demand continues to slow advancements.
- EB-4 Category:
- This category is completely unavailable across all countries, as the annual limit was exhausted on February 28, 2025.
- New applications will not be processed until October 1, 2025, when the next fiscal year begins .
Family-Sponsored Visa Updates
The total family-sponsored visa cap for FY 2025 is 226,000, with a 7% per-country limit. Below are the latest Final Action Dates for Indian applicants:
- F1 (Unmarried Sons/Daughters of U.S. Citizens): March 15, 2016 (previously November 22, 2015)
- F2A (Spouses/Children of Permanent Residents): January 1, 2022 (unchanged)
- F2B (Unmarried Sons/Daughters of Permanent Residents): July 22, 2016 (previously May 22, 2016)
- F3 (Married Sons/Daughters of U.S. Citizens): April 1, 2011 (previously July 1, 2010)
- F4 (Siblings of U.S. Citizens): June 15, 2006 (previously April 2006)
Dates for Filing Family-Sponsored Green Cards
Dates for Filing determine when applicants can submit their paperwork to USCIS. Here are the latest updates:
| Category | Previous Date | New Date |
|---|---|---|
| F1 | September 1, 2017 | Unchanged |
| F2A | July 15, 2024 | October 15, 2024 |
| F2B | January 1, 2017 | Unchanged |
| F3 | July 22, 2012 | Unchanged |
| F4 | August 15, 2006 | October 1, 2006 |
Employment-Based Visa Categories & Allocation
Employment-based visas are allocated based on preference categories:
- EB-1 (Priority Workers): 28.6%
- EB-2 (Advanced Degree Holders & Exceptional Ability): 28.6%
- EB-3 (Skilled Workers & Professionals): 28.6%
- EB-4 (Special Immigrants & Religious Workers): 7.1%
- EB-5 (Immigrant Investors): 7.1%, with specific allocations:
- 20% for rural areas
- 10% for high unemployment areas
- 2% for infrastructure projects
- 68% for other eligible investors
Impact of Retrogression
Retrogression in the EB-5 category for India and China signals rising demand for employment-based visas. The exhaustion of EB-4 visas until October 2025 puts additional strain on the system. Though there is minor progress in EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 for India, applicants should anticipate delays.
FAQs
1. What’s the latest update for EB-5 visas for India and China?
- India’s EB-5 Unreserved category is now November 1, 2019.
- China’s EB-5 Unreserved category has moved back to January 22, 2014.
2. Why are EB-4 visas unavailable until October 2025?
- The EB-4 limit for FY 2025 was exhausted on February 28, 2025.
- No further visas will be issued until the new fiscal year starts on October 1, 2025.
3. How are employment-based visas allocated?
- EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 receive 28.6% each of the total employment-based visas.
- EB-4 and EB-5 receive 7.1% each, with EB-5 being further divided based on investment criteria.
4. What should family-sponsored visa applicants do?
- Ensure you check the Dates for Filing and Final Action Dates.
- If eligible, submit your application as early as possible to avoid processing delays.
5. Where can I track my visa status?
- Visit the Visa Bulletin on the Department of State website.
- Check updates from USCIS to confirm which dates apply for processin .
Final Thoughts
The April 2025 Visa Bulletin brings a mix of opportunities and challenges. While employment-based categories have seen minor improvements, retrogressions and category exhaustion may delay processing times for many applicants. Understanding these updates and planning accordingly can significantly impact your immigration journey.
For the latest updates, always refer to the official USCIS and Department of State resources.