July 2025 Visa Bulletin: Analysis & Predictions Including EB2 Priority Date India

One of the most significant parts of getting a green card in the U.S. is waiting for your priority date to be current. For those who have invested the time, effort, and money into an immigrant visa, questions arise such as “How long will it take for my date to be current?” and “Can I speed this process up?”

We provide regular monthly updates on the most recent visa bulletin, analyze the date movements, and predict upcoming months to help answer these questions. This month, we’ll go over the July 2025 visa bulletin.

If you want more information on the background of the visa bulletin and how to read the bulletin, make sure to scroll to the bottom of the post or view the Table of Contents.

July 2025 Visa Bulletin: Overview and Predictions

The U.S. Department of State has released the July 2025 Visa Bulletin, and it brings some welcome news for many waiting for their green cards. This month’s update shows positive forward movement in several key categories, with no backward steps (retrogression).

Key Updates

Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know.

Employment-Based Visa Highlights: A Big Leap for the EB-3 Category

• Major Progress for EB-3 “Skilled Workers: Great news for applicants in the EB-3 category from All Chargeability Areas, Mexico, and the Philippines! Your priority dates have leaped forward by 52 days (more than seven weeks), moving from a February 2023 date to April 1st, 2023.
• Steady Gains for China: Applicants from mainland China also saw steady, albeit slower, progress, indicating a gradual easing of persistent backlogs. The EB-2 category advanced by 14 days, and the “Other Workers” category moved forward by a full 30 days.
• Slow Movement for India: For applicants from India, progress was more modest. The EB-3 and “Other Worker” categories both advanced by one week.
• EB-1 Remains “Current”: For top-preference EB-1 applicants from most of the world (All Chargeability Areas, Mexico, and the Philippines), the category remains “Current.” This means you can continue to move forward with your green card applications without any visa backlog delays.
• Encouragingly, no retrogression occurred this month, meaning no categories moved backward. This continued stability offers hope for applicants awaiting movement in their priority dates.

USCIS has confirmed that it will continue to accept Form I-485 applications in July 2025 based on the Final Action Dates chart, not the more favorable Dates for Filing chart. Applicants should verify the appropriate chart before filing to avoid processing delays.
As always, keeping a close eye on your priority date and staying prepared for any movement is key. While future visa availability cannot be guaranteed, the team at VisaNation is here to support you at every stage of your immigration journey. If you have questions about your priority date or need help preparing your application, our experts are ready to assist.

Family-Based Visa Highlights: F2A Category Jumps Forward

The family-sponsored categories saw some of the most substantial progress this month, making the wait shorter for many families.

• Huge News for F2A: The F2A category (spouses and minor children of Green Card holders) jumped forward by an incredible eight months for applicants from all countries.
• Big Moves for Mexico & Philippines: Applicants from Mexico and the Philippines saw significant progress across several categories. Notably, Mexico’s F2B category advanced by a full year.
• Consistent Forward Movement: The F1 and F3 categories for most countries also moved ahead steadily, progressing by over a month.

Overall, the July 2025 Visa Bulletin offers encouraging news, shortening the wait for thousands of applicants and continuing a positive trend of forward momentum.

Adjustment of Status (AOS) Filing Guidance

For Adjustment of Status (AOS) filings, USCIS has confirmed:

• Employment-based categories: applicants must use the Final Action Dates chart
• Family-sponsored categories: applicants must use the Dates for Filing chart.

Looking forward

As we move deeper into the second half of the fiscal year, continued movement in employment-based categories will depend heavily on visa number usage and demand. While large jumps are not expected, keeping a close watch on the Visa Bulletin is key.

If you’re considering your next steps—like whether to interfile, downgrade, or transfer categories—timing and strategy are everything.

Next Steps:

If your priority date is current or getting close, it’s time to prepare your application. If you’re still waiting, now may be a good time to review other options or long-term strategies.

Final Action vs. Filing Dates:

It’s important to differentiate between the final action dates (when a visa can be issued) and the filing dates (when an application can be submitted). This will help applicants understand their current status and next steps.

The Final Action Dates chart determines when an I-485 or IV can be approved, while the Dates for Filing Chart determines when an applicant can file an I-485.

Suppose you have an Adjustment of Status (AOS) application currently pending. Your priority date must be current under the Final Action Chart to adjudicate your green card. If you are contemplating interfiling—a process that allows AOS applicants to change their preference category—don’t hesitate to contact VisaNation Law Group. 

As the fiscal year progresses, demand fluctuations and potential retrogressions remain possible. Visa Nation will continue to monitor trends in Final Action Dates and update projections as new information becomes available. Applicants are encouraged to stay informed and prepared for potential adjustments in the coming months.

Family-Based Green Cards

The category for family-based immigration comprises four preference levels based on who your sponsoring family member is in relation to you. There are five chargeability areas for this category: China, India, Mexico, the Philippines, and all other countries. Due to the global pandemic and limited appointments at overseas consular offices, family-based immigrant visas continue to see low usage numbers. Therefore, any unused family-based visas get added to the EB categories. 

Family-Based Dates for Filing Charts

The Dates for Filing chart determines when an applicant can file an I-485. 

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

• In the F-1 category, Mexico advances 2 months. All other countries Mexico, remain the same. 

F2A: Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents

• The Final Action Date for all chargeability areas in the F2A category has advanced by one month.

F2B: Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents

• Mexico: The date advanced by a full year, from 01APR07 to 01APR08.
• All other countries remain unchanged

F3: Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens

• Philippines: The date advanced by two months and nine days, from 22SEP04 to 01DEC04.
• All other countries: remain unchanged

F-4 Category

• All Chargeability Areas and China: advanced by three months and seven days, from 01JUN08 to 08SEP08.

For the purposes of the July 2025 bulletin AOS, USCIS has indicated to use the Dates for Filing Chart for all family-sponsored filings. If a particular immigrant visa category is “current” on the Final Action Dates chart or the cutoff date on the Final Action Dates chart is later than the date on the Dates for Filing chart, applicants in that immigrant visa category may file using the Final Action Dates chart during that month.

*The numbers in the brackets designate the amount of movement in the filing date for that particular category compared to the previous month. If there’s no bracket below certain dates, there is no movement for those dates/categories in the latest visa bulletin.

Family-Based Final Action Dates Chart

The Final Action Dates Chart shows forward progression in specific categories.

F1 Category

• All Chargeability Areas, China-Mainland Born, and India progressed by 1 month and 7 days, from 08JUN16 to 15JUL16.
• Mexico (remained at 22APR05) and the Philippines (remained at 15JUL12).

F2A: Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents

• In the F2A category, China, India, and the rest of the world remain at January 1, 2022.
• Mexico remains at May 15, 2021
• The Philippines remains at January 1, 2022. 

F2A: Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents

• All Chargeability Areas, China-Mainland Born, India, and Philippines progressed by 8 months, from 01JAN22 to 01SEP22.
• Mexico progressed by 8 months and 17 days, from 15MAY21 to 01FEB22.

F2B: Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21+) of Permanent Residents

• All Chargeability Areas, China-Mainland Born, and India progressed by 23 days, from 22SEP16 to 15OCT16.
• Mexico progressed by 1 year, from 01JAN06 to 01JAN07.
• Philippines progressed by 2 months and 7 days, from 08FEB12 to 15APR12.

F3: Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens

• All Chargeability Areas, China-Mainland Born, and India progressed by 1 month and 9 days, from 22JUN11 to 01AUG11.
• Philippines progressed by 2 months and 9 days, from 22SEP03 to 01DEC03.
• Mexico progressed by 17 days, from 15JAN01 to 01FEB01.

F4: Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens

• Philippines progressed by 7 months, from 01JUN05 to 01JAN06.
• India progressed by 23 days, from 15JUN06 to 08JUL06.
• All Chargeability Areas (01JAN08), China-Mainland Born (01JAN08), and Mexico (15MAR01) remained unchanged.

*The numbers in the brackets designate the amount of movement in the final action date for that particular category compared to the previous month. If there’s no bracket below certain dates, there is no movement for those dates/categories in the latest visa bulletin.

Remember, marriage-based green card applicants are known as immediate relatives and don’t have to wait to receive a green card.

Employment-Based Green Cards

With five different preference levels and seven chargeability areas, USCIS issues employment-based category visas through your job or occupation. The chargeability areas are China, India, Mexico, the Philippines, Central America (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador), Vietnam, and the general category.

Employment-Based Final Action Dates Chart

The Final Action Dates Chart shows forward progression in specific categories:

1st Preference (EB-1)

• China progressed by 7 days, from 08NOV22 to 15NOV22.
• All Chargeability Areas, India, Mexico, and the Philippines remained unchanged (Current or at 15FEB22 for India).

2nd Preference (EB-2)

• China progressed by 14 days, from 01DEC20 to 15DEC20.
• All Chargeability Areas, India, Mexico, and the Philippines remained unchanged.

3rd Preference (EB-3)

• All Chargeability Areas and Mexico progressed by 1 month and 21 days, from 08FEB23 to 01APR23.
• China progressed by 9 days, from 22NOV20 to 01DEC20.
• India progressed by 7 days, from 15APR13 to 22APR13.
• Philippines remained unchanged at 08FEB23.

Other Workers

• China progressed by 1 month, from 01APR17 to 01MAY17.
• All Chargeability Areas, Mexico, and the Philippines progressed by 16 days, from 22JUN21 to 08JUL21.
• India progressed by 7 days, from 15APR13 to 22APR13.

4th Preference & Certain Religious Workers (EB-4)

• All chargeability areas remained Unauthorized (U).

5th Preference (EB-5)

• All chargeability areas and all sub-categories (Unreserved, Rural, High Unemployment, Infrastructure) remained unchanged.

USCIS has specified to use the Final Action Dates Chart for employment-based AOS Filings. 

Employment-Based Dates for Filing Chart

July 2025 Visa Bulletin dates for filing employment-based immigrant visas:

Importantly, for employment-based categories, applicants must use the Final Action Dates chart, not the filing. Overall, the July 2025 bulletin shows very limited movement in the Dates for Filing.

*The numbers in the brackets designate the amount of movement in the final action date for that particular category compared to the previous month. If there’s no bracket below certain dates, there is no movement for those dates/categories in the latest visa bulletin.

Important July 2025 Visa Bulletin Dates

For those new to the green card process, you should learn a few terms and remember to understand the rest of this visa bulletin report. If you have further questions about the process or anything else about your green card, you should consult with your immigration attorney.

Priority Dates

The first term that you’ll hear thrown around is the priority date. Each person who files a petition with the USCIS receives a priority date when the government obtains your petition. A priority date establishes a person’s place in line to get an immigrant visa. Keep this date handy since you will need it to compare to the dates in this bulletin. Remember that your priority date does not move, and you cannot change it except under certain circumstances.

Note: Priority dates are not relevant for immediate relatives of U.S. Citizens (e.g., spouses or minor children) as that category is always current.

Final Action Dates

Final action dates are based on the green card category and the chargeability area—your country of origin. Therefore, the final action dates constantly change based on how many people from each chargeability area have petitioned for that green card.

If green cards are still available, the final action date will likely move closer to your priority date. If green cards are unavailable, you will not see any movement from that final action date. However, if the limit has passed, you may see the date retrogress or move backward from your priority date.

Once the final action date in your green card preference level and chargeability area reaches your priority date, your priority date will be considered current. Once current, you will adjust your status or go through consular processing.

Date for Filing Charts and I-485

You’ll notice there are two charts for each category.

The Date for Filing chart determines whether or not one can submit the final immigrant visa application.

The Final Action Date chart indicates whether an immigrant visa number will be available.

If you need to file an adjustment of status, Form I-485, you need to follow the Final Action Date chart to know when to file based on your priority date. However, sometimes USCIS will note that they’ll accept I-485s based on the Date for Filing chart. USCIS will use this chart when more immigrant visas are available than applicants.

USCIS announces which chart applicants can use within a week of the visa bulletin’s release.

Can You Shorten Your Waiting Time?

The short answer is: probably not. However, there are two prominent cases in which you may be able to shorten your green card processing time, which we will explain here.

The first way is to file an I-140 for a green card and chargeability area with a current priority date. In this case, rather than wait the usual six months for your petition to be processed, you can pay an additional fee for premium processing, which will shorten the processing time to 15 calendar days. However, this is only available for certain green cards that use the I-140. It is unavailable for family- or investment-based immigration and the EB-1C or EB-2 NIW.

The second situation involves green card “porting,” or transferring your application from a lower preference level to a higher one to take advantage of the shorter waiting times. This is misleading because you don’t port your green card. In reality, you need to start with a new petition (and a new PERM if necessary). The “porting” aspect only comes in when you indicate that you want to retain your original priority date.

As attractive as “porting” might seem, it is a delicate process with particular requirements. Therefore, running decisions like these through your immigration attorney is always good.

Staying Up-to-Date

In the world of immigration law, it always pays to be informed. The more you know about your green card, the easier it will be to make informed decisions about your case. To stay in the know about things like the newest visa bulletin, follow the Department of State’s Visa Bulletin.