The Department of State has released the April 2025 visa bulletin, which outlines the availability of immigrant visas for both consular processing and adjustment of status applications to be filed throughout the month. The State Department provides both Final Action Dates and Application Filing Dates for Employment-Based and Family-Based immigrant visas, information integral to many hopeful applicants.
Mixed movements characterize the Employment-Based visa categories this month. Notably, there’s been retrogression within the EB-5 category, particularly affecting applicants from China and India. According to the bulletin, this retrogression is caused by increased demand and higher rates of visa usage among applicants worldwide. Although there are increases for some categories, the EB-5 category reflects the challenges faced by many seeking these visas.
For the EB-1 category, which is often seen as priority for exceptional ability, the final action date for India will advance by two weeks to February 15, 2022, whereas the date for China will remain fixed at November 8, 2022. Applicants from all other countries remain current, indicating stable opportunities for those not from China or India.
Shifting to the EB-2 category, which targets professionals holding advanced degrees, the final action date for India moves forward by one month, landing at January 1, 2013. China also sees its date advance by around five months to October 1, 2020. All other countries will benefit as their dates jump by five weeks to June 22, 2023, reflecting some progress for various applicants.
The EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers category shows similar advancements. The final action date for India will push forward by two months to April 1, 2013, and China’s date will advance by three months to November 1, 2020. Applicants from other countries will see their dates move forward by one month to January 1, 2023.
Contrastingly, the EB-5 category is experiencing significant setbacks. India’s final action date will retrogress by two years, moving back to November 1, 2019. Similarly, China's date will drop two and a half years to January 22, 2014. Meanwhile, all other countries' final action dates remain current, with no retrogressions noted. It is particularly concerning as applicants face delays and potential uncertainty for the future.
Adding to the complications, the EB-4 category, which encompasses special immigrants, has reached its annual limit and is now unavailable. This situation is expected to last until the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2025, at which point the annual limit will reset. Those impacted will have to wait until the reset to submit their applications.
On the family-based side, the bulletin reveals advancements, particularly within the F1 category, which accommodates Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens. Here, both China and India will see their dates advance by four months, setting them at March 15, 2016. For Mexican applicants, the date will move up by two months to January 1, 2005. The Philippines also gains, advancing by four months to July 15, 2012. For all other countries, the advancement is similarly four months, indicating improved prospects across the board for family reunification.
Meanwhile, the F2A category, which includes Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents, has no movement from the previous month’s bulletin, conferring stability for applicants within this segment. Conversely, the F2B category, catering to Unmarried Sons and Daughters over 21 of Permanent Residents, will see some beneficial changes. For Mexico, the final action date advances by six months to January 6, 2006, and the Philippines shows advancement of three months to January 22, 2012. Final action dates for China, India, and all other countries will also move up by two months to reach July 22, 2016.
Regarding married children, the F3 category will see the date for Mexico advance by three months to January 15, 2001, and for the Philippines, it advances by two months to March 22, 2003. Other countries' final action dates will gain nine months, setting them at April 1, 2011, providing more hope for families awaiting reuniting with sponsors.
Lastly, the F4 category, which encompasses siblings of adult U.S. citizens, will advance the final action date for India by two months to June 15, 2006. For Mexico, it will see movement of just fifteen days to March 15, 2001. Finally, the Philippines will again benefit, advancing by three months to January 1, 2005. The final action dates for China and other countries will remain consistent with the prior month at August 1, 2007.
All of these changes highlight the fluid nature of immigration regulations and the ever-changing circumstances surrounding visa availability. Applicants would do well to stay updated and remain proactive within the parameters of both the employment-based and family-based categories. The movement seen this month can bring renewed hope but also reminds many of the challenges still to come.