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Last Updated On: April 22, 2025 | Published On: March 12, 2025
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 May 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 click the interested link in the Table of Contents.
The U.S. Department of State has released the May 2025 Visa Bulletin, detailing the availability of immigrant visa numbers for both family-sponsored and employment-based categories.
Most employment-based categories are expected to remain largely unchanged in the May 2025 Visa Bulletin, with only slight forward movement in select areas. The good news is EB-1 remains current for all countries, continuing to offer immediate visa availability for eligible applicants. EB-2 and EB-3 for India and China continue to experience significant backlogs, with only minimal progression from previous months.
For Adjustment of Status (AOS) filings, USCIS has determined that applicants must use the Final Action Dates chart for employment-based categories. For family-sponsored categories, applicants must use the Dates for Filing chart.
As we enter the latter half of the fiscal year, applicants in these categories should monitor bulletins closely for any movement tied to visa number usage and demand. If you’re considering your next steps—like whether to interfile, downgrade, or transfer categories—timing and strategy are everything.
Here’s a breakdown of the changes in the Final Action Dates Chart:
EB-1 China and India: China’s cut-off date remains at November 8, 2022, and India remains at February 15, 2022.
All Other Countries: The cut-off dates remain current, meaning there are no backlogs, and eligible applicants from these regions can continue to expect prompt processing.
EB-2 China: The cut-off date remains at October 1, 2020.
EB-2 India: The cut-off date remains at January 1, 2013.
EB-2 All Other Countries: The cut-off date remains at June 22, 2023.
EB-3 China: The cut-off date remains at November 1, 2020.
EB-3 India: The cut-off date remains at April 15, 2013.
EB-3 All Other Countries: Remains January 1, 2023.
EB-4: Unavailable.
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.
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.
The Dates for Filing chart determines when an applicant can file an I-485.
In the F-1 category, we see no change across the board. China and India remain at September 1, 2017 while Mexico is at April 1, 2006 and Philippines at April 22, 2015.
In the F-2A category, all countries across the board advance a little over three months to February 1, 2025.
In the F-2B category, China, India, and all other countries of chargeability remain at January 1, 2017. The Philippines remains at October 1, 2013. Mexico remains at April 1, 2007.
In the F-3 category, China, India and all other countries of chargeability remain at July 22, 2012. Mexico remains at June 15, 2001 and Philippines remains at September 22, 2004.
In the F-4 category, China, and the rest of the world remain advance two months to June 1, 2008. India remains at October 1, 2006 while Mexico and Philippines remain the same.
For the purposes of the May 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.
Category
Rest of the World
Mainland China
India
Mexico
Philippines
F-1
9/1/17
no change
04/01/06
4/22/15
F-2A
2/1/25
+3 months, 17 days
F-2B
1/01/17
04/01/07
10/01/13
F-3
7/22/12
06/15/01
9/22/04
F-4
6/1/08
+2 months
10/01/06
4/30/01
01/01/08
*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.
The Final Action Dates Chart shows minor changes since the last bulletin. In the F-1 category, India, China and the rest of the world remain at March 15, 2016 while Mexico advances three months to April 22, 2005 and the Philippines remains at July 15, 2012.
In the F2A category, all China, India and the rest of the world stay at January 1, 2022. Mexico remains at May 15, 2021 and Philippines January 1, 2022.
In the F-2B category, China and the rest of the world remain at July 22, 2016. Philippines advances to February 8, 2012 and Mexico remains at January 1, 2006.
In the F-3 category we see China and India remain at April 1, 2011. Mexico remains at January 15, 2001 and Philippines at September 22, 2003.
In the F-4 category we see China and the rest of the world advance to January 1, 2008 while India remains at June 15, 2006. Mexico remains at March 15, 2001 and Philippines advances to June 1, 2005.
03/15/16
04/22/05
+3 months; 21 days
7/15/12
1/01/22
5/15/21
7/22/16
1/1/06
2/08/12
+17 days
4/1/11
1/15/01
9/22/03
+6 months
1/01/08
+5 months
6/15/06
3/15/01
6/01/05
*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.
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.
USCIS has specified to use the Final Action Dates Chart for employment-based AOS Filings.
EB-1
Current
11/08/22
02/15/22
EB-2
6/22/23
10/01/20
1/1/13
EB-3
1/1/23
11/01/20
4/15/13
+2 weeks
EB-3 Other
5/22/21
4/1/17
EB-4
U
EB-5 (Unreserved including C5, T5, I5, R5)
1/22/14
5/1/19
Here are the May 2025 Visa Bulletin Final Action dates for employment-based immigrant visas.
1. EB-1 China remains at January 1, 2023; EB-2 China remains at November 1, 2020 and EB-3 China remains at November 15, 2020.
2. EB-1 India remains at April 15, 2022 while EB-2 India remains at February 1, 2013 and EB-3 India remains at June 8, 2013.
3. EB-1 Mexico is current; EB-2 Mexico remains at August 1, 2023 and EB-3 remains at March 1, 2023.
4. EB-1 Philippines is current; EB-2 remains at August 1, 2023 and EB-3 remains at March 1, 2023.
4/15/22
8/01/23
11/1/2020
2/1/13
EB-3
3/1/23
11/15/20
6/8/13
6/22/21
1/01/18
2/1/21
no change
EB-5 Unreserved (C5, T5, I5, R5)
10/1/16
4/1/22
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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, you can subscribe to the Department of State’s newsletter by emailing [email protected] with the message “Subscribe Visa Bulletin.”
With these priority date waiting times being so long, it's imperative that your first attempt is done the right way. VisaNation Law Group attorneys have extensive experience helping people obtain green cards through their families and through their employment and can help you avoid the common pitfalls.
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