The August 2025 Visa Bulletin reveals tightening visa availability as fiscal year 2025 nears its end. While India’s and China’s EB-5 Unreserved dates improve, other categories such as EB-2 Rest of World are retrogressing. Increased demand in EB-3 and EW categories may lead to future cutoffs or unavailability. Here’s what you need to know.
Employment-Based Preferences: Final Action Dates
EB-1: Priority Workers
- India: Unchanged at February 15, 2022
- China: Unchanged at November 15, 2022
- All Others: Current
EB-2: Advanced Degree / Exceptional Ability
- India: Unchanged at January 1, 2013
- China: Still at December 15, 2020
- All Others: Retrogressed to September 1, 2023 (from October 15, 2023)
EB-3: Skilled Workers & Professionals
- India: Advances slightly to May 22, 2013
- China: Remains at December 1, 2020
- All Others: Remains at April 1, 2023
EB-3 Other Workers
- India: Advances to May 22, 2013
- China: Still at May 1, 2017
- All Others: Still July 8, 2021
EB-4 & Religious Workers
- All Countries: Remain “Unavailable”
EB-5: Unreserved
- India: Advances to November 15, 2019 (from May 1, 2019)
- China: Jumps forward to December 8, 2015 (was January 22, 2014)
- All Others: Still Current
EB-5 Set-Asides (Rural, High Unemployment, Infrastructure)
- All Chargeability Areas: Remain Current
Family-Based Preferences: Final Action Dates
F1 (Unmarried Sons/Daughters of U.S. Citizens)
- India/China/Other Countries: Remains at July 15, 2016
- Mexico: Still April 22, 2005
- Philippines: Still July 15, 2012
F2A (Spouses/Children of LPRs)
- All Countries: No movement – Still at September 1, 2022
- Mexico (exempt): Still February 1, 2022
F2B (Unmarried Sons/Daughters of LPRs)
- India/China/Other Countries: Still October 15, 2016
- Mexico: Still January 1, 2007
- Philippines: Still April 15, 2012
F3 (Married Sons/Daughters of U.S. Citizens)
- All Countries: Unchanged
F4 (Siblings of U.S. Citizens)
- India: Retrogresses to November 1, 2006
- Mexico: Still March 15, 2001
- Philippines: Still January 1, 2006
- Others: Still January 1, 2008
Key Takeaways
- EB-2 (Rest of World) retrogresses due to overwhelming demand—may become unavailable if annual limit is reached25071406.
- EB-3 and Other Workers categories are also under pressure—may face retrogression or unavailability in September25071406.
- India and China see rare forward movement in EB-5 Unreserved, thanks to unused family-sponsored visa spillover25071406.
- No forward movement in family-based F2 categories.
- F4 India retrogresses, highlighting strain on long-pending sibling cases.
Need Strategic Help?
With visa cutoffs shifting and retrogressions looming, now is the time to act. For individualized legal guidance, contact NPZ Law Group at info@visaserve.com or call 201-670-0006, ext. 104. Stay up to date at www.visaserve.com.