US Visa Bulletin May 2025 – Updated Priority Dates for Family and Employment Based Visas

The May 2025 Visa Bulletin has been released by the U.S. Department of State, and it brings notable updates to employment-based green card categories, particularly for Indian and Chinese applicants. While family-sponsored categories have seen little to no movement, changes in EB-2 and EB-3 for India and China mark a positive shift for many skilled professionals.

Knowing the Visa Bulletin is crucial for anyone in the green card process. This monthly update dictates when you can file your Adjustment of Status (AOS) or go through Consular Processing. If your priority date is current, it’s time to act quickly before possible retrogressions occur.

Overview

Here’s a snapshot of the changes introduced in the May 2025 Visa Bulletin:

Bulletin

The Visa Bulletin is published monthly and outlines the availability of green card numbers. These are assigned based on priority dates, which reflect when your petition was originally filed. If your priority date falls before the cut-off listed for your visa category and country, you can move forward with your application.

Employment

Here’s a breakdown of the employment-based categories and how they changed in May 2025:

EB-1: Priority Workers

• India: No change; remains at February 1, 2022
• China: No change; remains at November 8, 2022
• All other countries: Remains current

EB-2: Advanced Degree Holders

• India: Moves forward six weeks to December 1, 2012
• China: Advances two weeks to May 8, 2020
• All other countries: Moves forward six weeks to May 15, 2023

EB-3: Skilled Workers and Professionals

• India: Advances six weeks to February 1, 2013
• China: Advances one month to August 1, 2020
• All other countries: No change; remains at December 1, 2022

EB-4: Special Immigrants

• All countries: Retrogresses by 1.5 years to August 1, 2019

EB-5: Investors

• China: No change; remains at July 15, 2016
• India: No change; remains at January 1, 2022
• All other countries: Current

Family

Family-sponsored categories have stayed mostly static, especially for countries with large backlogs:

F1 – Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens

• All countries: No change; remains at September 1, 2017
• Mexico: No change; remains at October 1, 2005
• Philippines: No change; remains at April 22, 2015

F2A – Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents

• All countries: No change; remains at July 15, 2024

F2B – Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents

• 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

Here’s how this bulletin may affect green card applicants:

1. Employment-Based Applicants
   If your priority date is now current, move quickly. Submit your I-485 (Adjustment of Status) or begin consular processing right away.
   If your category retrogressed (like EB-4), you’ll face delays and need to wait for future bulletins.
2. Family-Based Applicants
   Very little change means continued long wait times, particularly for applicants from Mexico and the Philippines. Keep monitoring bulletins monthly for updates.

Advice

• Always compare your priority date with the current bulletin.
• If your date is current, don’t delay your application.
• Be ready with documents like medical exams, updated forms, and financial proofs.
• Speak with an immigration attorney to ensure accurate filing and guidance.

The May 2025 Visa Bulletin shows some progress, especially in EB-2 and EB-3 categories for India and China. While family-based categories remain stagnant, employment-based applicants now have a window of opportunity they should act on quickly. Stay alert, be prepared, and check the bulletin each month to stay ahead of the curve.

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