The May 2025 US Visa Bulletin has been released, updating the priority dates for family-sponsored and employment-based green cards. This bulletin is critical for anyone waiting for their green card because it determines when you can move forward with your Adjustment of Status or Consular Processing.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the biggest updates, how they impact you, and what steps you should take next.
Visa Bulletin
Here’s a quick snapshot of the key changes:
| Category | Country | New Cut-Off Date | Previous Cut-Off Date | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-2 (Advanced Degrees) | India | December 1, 2012 | October 15, 2012 | Advanced by 6 weeks |
| EB-3 (Skilled Workers) | India | February 1, 2013 | December 15, 2012 | Advanced by 6 weeks |
| EB-4 (Special Immigrants) | All Countries | August 1, 2019 | May 1, 2021 | Retrogressed by about 1.5 years |
| Family-Sponsored Categories | Various | Minimal changes |
For many applicants, especially from India and China, there’s some good news. Meanwhile, others must brace for new delays due to retrogressions.
Visa Bulletin
The US Department of State publishes the Visa Bulletin each month to show the availability of immigrant visa numbers. Your priority date is the day your petition was filed. If your priority date falls before the cut-off date listed for your category, you can take the next steps toward getting your green card.
Understanding how to read the Visa Bulletin is key to knowing when you can move forward.
Employment-Based Updates
Here’s how the employment-based categories are looking for May 2025:
EB-1: Priority Workers
- India: Stays at February 1, 2022
- China: Stays at November 8, 2022
- All Other Countries: Current
EB-2: Advanced Degree Holders
- India: Moves forward by six weeks to December 1, 2012
- China: Advances by two weeks to May 8, 2020
- All Other Countries: Advances to May 15, 2023
EB-3: Skilled Workers and Professionals
- India: Moves forward by six weeks to February 1, 2013
- China: Advances by one month to August 1, 2020
- All Other Countries: No change (remains at December 1, 2022)
EB-4: Special Immigrants
- All Countries: Retrogresses by about 1.5 years to August 1, 2019
EB-5: Investors
- China: Remains at July 15, 2016
- India: Remains at January 1, 2022
- All Other Countries: Current
Family-Based Updates
For those under family-sponsored categories, there’s little movement this month:
F1: Unmarried Sons
- All Countries: Still at September 1, 2017
- Mexico: Still at October 1, 2005
- Philippines: Still at April 22, 2015
F2A: Spouses
- All Countries: No change, stays at July 15, 2024
F2B: Unmarried Sons
- All Countries: No change, remains at January 1, 2017
- Mexico: No change, remains at October 1, 2006
- Philippines: No change, remains at October 1, 2013
Impact
What does this mean for you?
Employment-Based Applicants
If your priority date is current, you should act quickly. File your Adjustment of Status (AOS) or start your Consular Processing as soon as possible. Retrogression could happen again, and if you miss your window, you may face another long wait.
If your priority date is not current yet, keep tracking future Visa Bulletins and prepare your documents so you’re ready when the date becomes current.
Family-Based Applicants
Since there’s little change, most applicants still face long wait times. However, it’s important to stay prepared and monitor upcoming bulletins for any movement that could help your case move forward.
Keeping track of these monthly updates helps you stay ahead and plan your next steps.
FAQs
What is the Visa Bulletin?
It is a monthly update that shows when green card applicants can move forward based on priority dates.
What changed in the May 2025 Visa Bulletin?
EB-2 and EB-3 India advanced by 6 weeks; EB-4 retrogressed by about 1.5 years.
How do I know if my priority date is current?
If your filing date is before the listed cut-off date, your priority date is current.
What should I do if my date is current?
You should immediately file your Adjustment of Status or start Consular Processing.
Has there been any change in family-sponsored categories?
No major changes; most family-sponsored categories remain unchanged.
