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.
- Big movement:
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-mm-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:
- Determine Your Category: Family-based or employment-based.
- Check Your Priority Date: Look at your I-140 (employment-based) or I-130 (family-based) to find your priority date.
- 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.
- Monitor Monthly: Visa Bulletin dates are updated monthly. Don’t miss your window.
- 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.
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
FAMILY BASED
EMPLOYMENT BASED
UNDERSTANDING DATES AND PROCESSES
Miscellaneous
FUTURE TRENDS AND FORECASTS
PRACTICAL TIPS
WE CAN HELP
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