US Visa Bulletin for April 2025: Green Card wait times increase, India’s EB-5 category faces setback

The US Department of State has published the April 2025 Visa Bulletin, introducing notable changes in employment-based (EB) immigrant visa categories. The bulletin reveals that India's EB-5 Unreserved category will experience a significant retrogression, moving backward by over two years to November 1, 2019. Similarly, China's EB-5 Unreserved category has retrogressed by approximately two and a half years to January 22, 2014. Meanwhile, all other countries remain current in this category.

India's EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 categories have seen slight progress, while EB-4 remains unavailable for all countries until the fiscal year 2025 ends, as the annual limit has been met.

USCIS to accept employment-based Green Card applications in April 2025 amid visa retrogression

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed that in April 2025, it will accept employment-based adjustment of status applications based on the Final Action Dates chart. This means that applicants can submit their Green Card applications if their priority date falls before the cutoff date listed for their category and country.

The State Department has explained that the retrogression in EB-5 for China and India is due to increased demand and the higher usage of available visa numbers. If this trend continues, a Final Action Date might also be set for applicants in the Worldwide EB-5 Unreserved category.

Furthermore, the EB-4 category has reached its annual visa allocation as of February 28, 2025. No further EB-4 visas will be issued until October 1, 2025, when the new fiscal year begins.

These changes reflect shifting demand patterns and visa availability, affecting applicants waiting for their Green Cards. Understanding the Visa Bulletin and these updates is crucial for those planning to adjust their immigration status.

Understanding the visa bulletin: Key dates for Green Card applicants in April 2025

The Visa Bulletin is a monthly publication issued by the US Department of State that provides updates on visa availability for family-sponsored and employment-based immigrant categories. It serves as a guideline for Green Card applicants, helping them determine when they can proceed with their applications.

The bulletin is divided into two critical sections:

• Final action dates: These dates indicate when an immigrant visa or adjustment of status application can be approved. If an applicant’s priority date is earlier than the listed Final Action Date, they can proceed with their application.

• Dates for filing: This section specifies the earliest possible date an applicant can submit an adjustment of status or immigrant visa application. Filing earlier allows applicants to begin the final steps of the immigration process.

For employment-based Green Card applicants, the USCIS determines whether to use Final Action Dates or Dates for Filing for adjustment of status applications. For April 2025, USCIS will accept applications based on the Final Action Dates.

Highlights from the April 2025 visa bulletin

Family-sponsored applications

The family-sponsored preference categories determine Green Card eligibility based on family relationships with US citizens or permanent residents. These categories include:

• F1: Unmarried Sons and Daughters of US Citizens
• F2A: Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
• F2B: Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21+) of Permanent Residents
• F3: Married Sons and Daughters of US Citizens
• F4: Brothers and Sisters of US Citizens (if the petitioner is 21+)

The fiscal year 2025 family-sponsored Green Card limit is 226,000, with 7% per-country limits in place. Visa allocation is based on priority dates, and when demand exceeds available visas, Final Action Dates are adjusted accordingly.

Family-sponsored Green Cards: Final action dates – India

Family-sponsored Green Cards: Dates for filing – India

Employment-based preferences

Employment-based Green Cards are allocated under the following categories:

• EB-1 (Priority Workers) – 28.6% of total employment-based visas
• EB-2 (Advanced Degree Holders & Exceptional Ability) – 28.6% of total employment-based visas
• EB-3 (Skilled Workers & Professionals) – 28.6% of total employment-based visas
• EB-4 (Special Immigrants & Religious Workers) – 7.1% of total employment-based visas
• EB-5 (Immigrant Investors) – 7.1% of total employment-based visas, divided as follows:
  • 20% reserved for rural areas
  • 10% for high unemployment areas
  • 2% for infrastructure projects
  • 68% for all other eligible investors

Employment-based Green Cards: Final action dates – India

Employment-based Green Cards: Dates for filing – India