Navigating the July 2025 Visa Bulletin: Key Updates and Shifts

The July 2025 Visa Bulletin issued by the U.S. Department of State shows marginal forward movement in several employment and family-based categories. While some categories remain unchanged, slight progression in others—particularly EB-3 for India and family-based F2A—offers cautious optimism for applicants.

Employment-Based Preferences: Final Action Dates

EB-1: Priority Workers

  • India: Remains at February 15, 2022
  • China: Advances to November 15, 2022 (was November 8)
  • All Others: Current

EB-2: Advanced Degree / Exceptional Ability

  • India: Unchanged at January 1, 2013
  • China: Moves to December 15, 2020 (slight forward from Dec 1)
  • All Others: Still at October 15, 2023

EB-3: Skilled Workers & Professionals

  • India: Advances to April 22, 2013 (from April 15)
  • China: Moves forward to December 1, 2020
  • All Others: Advances to April 1, 2023 (from Feb 8)

EB-3 Other Workers

  • India: Moves to April 22, 2013
  • China: Slight movement to May 1, 2017
  • All Others: Advances to July 8, 2021

EB-4 & Religious Workers

  • All Countries: Remain Unavailable

EB-5: Unreserved

  • India: Unchanged at May 1, 2019
  • China: Still at January 22, 2014
  • All Others: Remain 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: Advances to July 15, 2016 (from June 8)
  • Mexico: Still April 22, 2005
  • Philippines: Still July 15, 2012

F2A (Spouses/Children of LPRs)

  • All Countries: Advances to September 1, 2022 (from January 1)
  • Mexico (exempt): February 1, 2022

F2B (Unmarried Sons/Daughters of LPRs)

  • India/China/Other Countries: Moves forward to October 15, 2016
  • Mexico: Still January 1, 2007
  • Philippines: April 15, 2012

F3 (Married Sons/Daughters of U.S. Citizens)

  • India/China/Other Countries: Advances to August 1, 2011
  • Mexico: Slight movement to February 1, 2001
  • Philippines: December 1, 2003

F4 (Siblings of U.S. Citizens)

  • India: Advances to July 8, 2006
  • Mexico: Still March 15, 2001
  • Philippines: Advances to January 1, 2006
  • Others: Remain at January 1, 2008

 Key Takeaways

  • EB-3 India shows a rare and welcome advancement, although marginal.
  • China EB-1 and EB-2 see small gains; EB-3 also moves.
  • Family-Based F2A continues advancing, now reaching September 2022.
  • EB-4 and religious worker visas remain unavailable, unchanged since February 2025.
  • EB-5 remains stable, though pressure may mount as demand grows.

Need Personalized Help?

To better understand how these changes impact your case, or to begin your immigration process, reach out to NPZ Law Group at info@visaserve.com or call 201-670-0006, ext. 104. For the latest immigration insights and updates, visit www.visaserve.com