January 2025 Visa Bulletin – What’s New

January 2025 Overview

The US Department of State has released the Visa Bulletin for January 2025. If you’re waiting for a green card, this is a must-read. This bulletin shows the movement of green card applications across all categories so you can see where you are in line and what’s next.

The January 2025 Visa Bulletin has forward movement in several employment based categories. EB-1 Final Action Dates are unchanged, but EB-2 and EB-3 have movement, depending on your country of chargeability. Employment-based preference limits are set by law to manage the visa issuance process and ensure fair distribution among applicants based on priority dates and oversubscription.

Updates:

Employment Based Categories

• EB-1: No movement in Final Action Dates for all countries.
• EB-2 & EB-3: 2 weeks to 2 months movement in employment based preference visas.
• USCIS Dates for Filing: Same as December.
• Eligible foreign nationals can file adjustment of status applications if their priority dates are before the dates listed. Understanding the different employment based preferences, such as Priority Workers, Skilled Workers, and Employment Creation categories, is crucial for applicants as each category receives a specific percentage of global employment-based preference levels.
• India and China: Both countries have the longest wait times in most categories due to high demand and limited visa availability.
• Small Movement: EB2 and EB3 categories are moving slowly to balance visa allocations without going over the annual limits. The January 2025 Visa Bulletin shows positive advancement in various employment based visa categories, particularly for Indian applicants in categories like EB-2.
• EB5 Notes:
• Set-aside categories are moving, which could impact unreserved visas.
• Watch for policy changes as the year goes on.

Family Based Categories

• The January 2025 Visa Bulletin highlights advancements in various family sponsored categories, including F1 (unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens) which moved to November 22, 2015.
• F3 (married sons and daughters of US citizens) moved to July 1, 2010.
• F-3 moved 3 months for most countries.
• F4 (siblings of US citizens) moved to August 15, 2006.
• F-4 for the Philippines moved 5 months and 3 weeks.
• Other family based categories didn’t move.

EB Visa Category Analysis

Final Action Dates

These dates determine if an applicant can get an immigrant visa or adjustment of status approval.

EB-1

• India: February 1, 2022 (no change)
• China: November 8, 2022 (no change)
• All other countries: Current (no backlog)

Meaning: EB1 demand for India and China continues to block movement, while others are current (no backlog).

EB-2

• India: 2 months to October 1, 2012.
• China: 1 month to April 22, 2020.
• All other countries: 2 weeks to April 1, 2023.

Meaning: India and China get a little movement, others get forward movement.

EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers

• India: 3 weeks to December 1, 2012.
• China: 2 months to June 1, 2020.
• All other countries: 2 weeks to December 1, 2022.

Meaning: Good news for all EB3 applicants, especially for India and China.

EB-3 Other Workers

• India: 3 weeks to December 1, 2012.
• China: January 1, 2017.
• All other countries: 1 week to December 8, 2020.

Meaning: No movement for China in this category means high demand and limits. India and others get forward movement.

EB-4 Religious Workers

All countries: 01.Jan.2021 (no change)

Meaning: No movement means limited visas and steady demand in EB4.

Watch for Legislative Updates: The EB-4 Non-Minister Religious Worker category, which includes certain religious workers, will expire on December 20, 2024. If not reauthorized by congress, this category will be unavailable after December 21, 2024. If reauthorized, Final Action Dates will be the same as the general EB-4 category. Applicants in the EB-4 Non-Minister Religious Worker category should monitor for congressional action to reauthorize the program.

Fifth Preference (EB5)

EB-5 Unreserved Categories (Regional and Non-Regional Center)

• China: July 15, 2016.
• India: January 1, 2022.
• All other countries: Current

EB-5 Set-Asides (Rural, High Unemployment, Infrastructure)

• All countries: Current

Meaning: The State Department expects an increase in EB-5 Rural, High Unemployment and Infrastructure set-aside applications. To prevent exceeding annual limits, Dates for Filing and Final Action Dates may be introduced for these categories in FY 2025.

Dates for Filing (Ready for Adjustment of Status, or Consular Processing at NVC)

USCIS uses these dates to determine eligibility to file adjustment of status applications.

The process of determining visa availability by USCIS and the Department of State involves managing the supply and demand of visas. They assess factors such as the number of visas available and individual priority dates to provide clarity and predictability for applicants seeking to adjust their status or obtain immigrant visas.

EB-1

• India: April 15, 2022.
• China: January 1, 2023.
• All other countries: Current.

EB-2

• India: January 1, 2013.
• China: October 1, 2020.
• All other countries: April 1, 2023.

EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers

• India: June 8, 2013.
• China: November 15, 2020.
• All other countries: December 1, 2022.

EB-3 Other Workers

• India: June 8, 2013.
• China: January 1, 2018.
• All other countries: December 8, 2020.

EB-4 Religious Workers

* All Countries: February 1, 2021

EB-5 Unreserved Categories

• India: April 1, 2022.
• China: October 1, 2016.
• All other countries: Current

EB-5 Set-Asides

• All countries: Current

Family-Based Visa Category Analysis

Final Action Dates

These dates determine if an applicant can get an immigrant visa or adjustment of status approval.

F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens

• F1 Mexico will remain at November 22, 2004
• F1 Philippines will advance by one week to March 8, 2012
• F1 All other countries will advance by one month to November 22, 2015

F-2A Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents

• F2A Mexico will advance by one month to May 15, 2021
• F2A All other countries will remain at January 1, 2022

F-2B Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents

• F2B Mexico will remain at July 1, 2005
• F2B Philippines will remain at October 22, 2011
• F2B All other countries will advance by three weeks to May 22, 2016

F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens 

• F3 Mexico will advance by one month to November 22, 2000
• F3 Philippines will advance by two months to November 8, 2002
• F3 All other countries will advance by two months and sixteen days to July 1, 2010

F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens

• F4 Mexico will remain at March 1, 2001
• F4 Philippines will advance by three months to May 1, 2004
• F4 India will advance by one month to April 8, 2006
• F4 All other countries will remain at August 1, 2007

Dates for Filing (Ready for Adjustment of Status, or Consular Processing at NVC)

USCIS uses these dates to determine eligibility to file adjustment of status applications.

Here are the updates for family-sponsored green cards:

F-1: Unmarried Children (21+) of U.S. Citizens

• No movement for all countries.
• Example: Philippines: April 22, 2015.

F-2A: Spouses/Unmarried Children (Under 21) of Green Card Holders

• No movement for all countries, cut-off date July 15, 2024.

F-2B: Unmarried Children (21+) of Green Card Holders

• Mexico advanced 3 months, now October 1, 2006.
• All others: No movement.

F-3: Married Children of U.S. Citizens

• 3 months movement for most countries.
• Example: India: July 22, 2012

F-4: Siblings of U.S. Citizens

• Big movement: Philippines moved 5 months and 3 weeks, now January 1, 2008.
• India moved 2 weeks, others stayed the same.

Current Bulletin: January, 2025

• January 2025
  The latest visa bulletin is out for January, 2025
• December 2024 Bulletin
  The latest visa bulletin is out for December 2024.   Here is the December 2024 Visa Bulletin and our analysis.
• Upcoming Bulletin
  February 2025 will be around mid January

Note: Dates in the bulletin are in DAY-MONTH-YEAR (dd-mmm-yy) format.

Visa Bulletin Glossary

What is the Visa Bulletin?

Wondering how to read the Visa Bulleting?

The Visa Bulletin is a tool to help you understand green card wait times. It includes:

• Priority Dates: Your position in line based on when your green card petition was filed.
• Dates for Filing: When you can file the next step.
• Final Action Dates: When your application will be fully processed.

Check your priority date (the date your petition was filed) against these cut-off dates.
Additional Notes

• “C” means current.
• “U” means not available.

How to use the Visa Bulletin

Here’s how:

1. Determine Your Category: Family-based or employment-based.
2. Check Your Priority Date: Look at your I-140 (employment-based) or I-130 (family-based) to find your priority date.
3. Compare with the Bulletin:

• If your date is before Final Action Dates, you will be approved soon.
• If your date is before the Filing Date, you can file.

4. Monitor Monthly: Visa Bulletin dates are updated monthly. Don’t miss your window.
5. Consult an Immigration Attorney: For complex cases or retrogressed dates.

Background on Employment-Based Categories

The employment-based system has five preference categories, each with its own allocation:

EB-1: Priority Workers

• 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any unused numbers from EB-4 and EB-5.

EB-2: Advanced Degree Professionals or Individuals with Exceptional Ability

• 28.6% of the worldwide cap, plus any unused numbers from EB-1.

EB-3: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers

• 28.6% of the global level, 10,000 for Other Workers.

EB-4: Certain Special Immigrants

7.1% of the global total. The Employment-Based Fourth Preference (EB4) category, often referred to as the fourth preference, is allocated a specific percentage of the total visas available each year. This category includes special immigrants such as religious workers, certain broadcasters, and employees of international organizations.

EB-5: Employment Creation (Investor Visas)

• 7.1%, 32% set aside for:
• 20% for rural areas.
• 10% for high-unemployment areas.
• 2% for infrastructure projects.

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EB-5 Reserved Categories: Faster Green Cards

Reserved visas under RIA allocate:

• 20% for rural areas.
• 10% for high-unemployment areas.
• 2% for infrastructure projects.

These are current for all countries, including high-demand countries like India and China. You can get:

• Shorter wait times.
• Priority processing for I-526E petition

Background on Family-Based Categories

Family-sponsored preferences allocate visas based on relationships with U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.

F1: Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.

• 23,400 plus any F4 numbers.

F2: Spouses, children, and unmarried sons/daughters of permanent residents.

• F2A: 77% of F2, no per-country limits.
• F2B: 23% for unmarried adult sons and daughters.

F3: Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.

• 23,400 plus any F1 and F2 numbers.

F4: Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens.

• 65,000 plus any F1, F2 and F3 numbers.

Recommendations for Applicants

* Stay Informed:

* Check the visa bulletin every month to see what’s changed and plan accordingly.

* Consider subscribing to immigration newsletters for up-to-date information.

* Consult an Immigration Attorney:

* Find out how the changes affect your case.

* Explore options like category changes or priority date transfers if eligible.

* Make sure all documents are ready to go if your priority date becomes current.

FAQs on January 2025 Visa Bulletin

GENERAL

What is my priority date?

Your priority date is the date your green card petition was filed. It’s your place in line.

Why do some countries have longer waits?

Countries with high demand like India, China and the Philippines have backlogs. Retrogression can sometimes slow progress.

How do I estimate my wait time?

Track your category for several months to see the trends and expect changes.

What is the Visa Bulletin?

The Visa Bulletin is a monthly publication by the U.S. Department of State that shows which immigrant visas are available by category and country of chargeability. It helps applicants know when to file their green card application and when their case will be processed.

Why is my priority date important?
Your priority date is the date your immigrant visa petition (I-130 or I-140) was filed. This is your place in line for a visa and when you can file your green card application.

What are “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing”?

• Final Action Dates: The date applications can be approved, meaning the visa is available.
• Dates for Filing: The date you can file your green card application even if the visa is not yet available.

How are priority dates determined?
Priority dates are based on the visa category and country of chargeability. Countries with high demand like India have retrogressed (delayed) dates.

FAMILY BASED

Why hasn’t F2A moved?
F2A (spouses and children of permanent residents) is still January 1, 2022, because of the balance between demand and available visas. This is the normal demand in this category.

What does it mean if my category advances?
If your category moves forward, more applicants with earlier priority dates can file their applications, which means faster processing for you.

How do per-country caps affect family-based visa applicants?
The 7% per-country limit on family-sponsored visas prevents one country from taking too many visas, but it means longer waits for applicants from high demand countries like India, Mexico and the Philippines.

Why the longer waits in F4?
F4 (siblings of U.S. citizens) has huge delays due to high demand and lower allocation in the family-based preferences.

EMPLOYMENT BASED

What does retrogression mean?
Retrogression means applicants in these categories will wait longer for visa availability even if their visa applications may have been pending for years. For example:

How can EB applicants from oversubscribed countries like India accelerate the process?
Applicants can:

• Downgrade to EB-2 to EB-3 if EB-3 moves forward.
• Consider EB-5 investor visa for faster processing.
• Switching to a sponsoring employer in a less backlogged category if possible.

Are there exceptions to the per-country cap for employment-based visas?
Yes, unused employment based immigrant visas from other countries are allocated to oversubscribed countries. But this may not fully address the backlog for countries like India.

UNDERSTANDING DATES AND PROCESSES

What happens if my priority date becomes current?
If your priority date is current in the Final Action Date chart, you can file your adjustment of status or consular processing.

Can I use the Dates for Filing chart?
Yes, if USCIS says the Dates for Filing

How do I know if USCIS is using the Filing Dates chart this month?
Check the USCIS Visa Bulletin page to see which chart (Final Action or Filing Dates) is being used.

What if my priority date retrogresses after I file my application?
Your application will stay pending. USCIS will not approve it until your priority date becomes current again.

Miscellaneous

Can I change my country of chargeability?
Yes, if you have a qualifying relationship or birthplace of a spouse or parent in another country, you can request a change under the cross-chargeability rules.

What happens to unused family-sponsored visas?
Unused family-sponsored visas are carried over to the employment-based category for the next

What if I downgrade from EB-2 to EB-3?
Downgrading means filing a new I-140 under EB-3. It doesn’t affect your EB-2 petition and you can go back to EB-2 if EB-2 moves forward later.

Can I transfer my priority date to another petition?
Yes, priority dates are transferable if both petitions are employment-based and filed by the same applicant.

How does EB-5 work with priority dates?
For EB-5, priority dates are based on the filing of the I-526 petition. The January 2025 Bulletin shows progress, with final action dates at January 1, 2022.

FUTURE TRENDS AND FORECASTS

Will there be more retrogression in 2025?
This depends on visa demand. Categories with high demand, like EB-1 and EB-2 for India, will retrogress unless unused visas are allocated effectively.

How does Congress impact the Visa Bulletin?
Congress sets annual visa limits and per-country caps. Changes to these limits require legislative action, like the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act.

How are visa numbers determined each year?
The total visas available in a fiscal year are based on the unused visas from the previous year and statutory caps.

Can the Visa Bulletin skip months?
Yes, if demand is much higher than supply, dates may not move or even retrogress.

PRACTICAL TIPS

What if my category doesn’t move for months?

• Check the Visa Bulletin regularly.
• Consult with an immigration attorney.
• Keep your documents and petitions up to date.

What does premium processing do for visa timelines?
Premium processing speeds up specific petitions like I-140 for EB visas. It doesn’t affect priority dates.

Can green card delays affect my work authorization?
If you have an EAD or H-1B visa, renew timely to avoid gaps during green card process delays.

Is the Visa Bulletin for Diversity Visas?
The Diversity Visa program has a separate allocation process as referenced in the back of the Visa Bulletin.

How can I get updates?

• Sign up for State Department email updates.
• Check the Visa Bulletin website regularly.
• Follow immigration law firms or advocacy groups for timely analysis.

WE CAN HELP

By being informed, you can make better decisions about your green card application.

Call the Herman Legal Group to discuss your immigration case today!

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