The U.S. Department of State has released the April 2025 Visa Bulletin, highlighting significant delays in employment-based (EB) immigrant visa categories. The most notable change is the sharp retrogression in the EB-5 Unreserved category for India, which has moved backward by over two years to November 1, 2019. China also faces a setback, with priority dates retreating by approximately two and a half years to January 22, 2014. Meanwhile, all other countries remain current in this category.
Key Updates on Employment-Based Visa Categories
The April 2025 Visa Bulletin indicates modest advancements in EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 categories for India. However, the EB-4 category remains unavailable across all countries for the remainder of fiscal year 2025, as the annual visa limit has been reached.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed that it will accept adjustment of status applications based on the Final Action Dates chart in April. This means applicants can file their applications if their priority date is earlier than the cutoff date listed for their country and category.’
Why Is There a Retrogression?
The State Department attributes the significant setbacks in the EB-5 category for India and China to increased demand and visa usage by applicants from these and other countries. If this trend continues, a Final Action Date may be established for worldwide EB-5 Unreserved applicants.
Regarding EB-4, the department confirmed that all visas allotted for fiscal year 2025 had already been exhausted as of February 28, 2025. No new EB-4 visas will be issued until October 1, 2025, when the next fiscal year begins.
Understanding the Visa Bulletin
The Visa Bulletin is a crucial guide for Green Card applicants, helping them track their application status and eligibility. It consists of two major sections:
- Dates for Filing: This section informs applicants of the earliest date they can submit their adjustment of status or immigrant visa applications.
- Final Action Dates: These dates estimate when applications will be processed and approved, leading to permanent residency.
For employment-based Green Card applicants, eligibility to file is determined by their priority date in relation to the cutoff dates listed in the bulletin. Final Action Dates fluctuate based on demand, impacting processing times and wait periods.
Family-Sponsored Applications: What to Know
The Visa Bulletin also provides updates on family-sponsored immigrant categories. The preference classifications include:
- First Preference (F1): Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- Second Preference (F2): Spouses, Children, and Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents
- F2A: Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
- F2B: Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 and older) of Permanent Residents
- Third Preference (F3): Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- Fourth Preference (F4): Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
The fiscal year 2025 limit for family-sponsored preference immigrants is set at 226,000, with per-country limits capped at 7% of the total annual allocations. When visa demand exceeds supply, a final action date is established based on the priority date of the first unprocessed applicant.
What This Means for Green Card Applicants
The April 2025 Visa Bulletin underscores the growing demand and backlog in U.S. Green Card processing. With visa retrogressions in key categories, applicants from India and China may face longer wait times. It is crucial for individuals navigating the immigration process to stay updated on these changes and plan accordingly.
