US Releases July 2025 Visa Bulletin: Employment-based EB-3 advances by one week; relief expected for Indian applicants in family-based categories F2A and F4
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released the July 2025 Visa Bulletin, bringing limited but welcome movement for Indian Green Card aspirants, particularly in the employment-based EB-3 category and certain family-based categories, reported gujaratsamachar.com.
According to the bulletin, the Final Action Date for EB-3 (Skilled Workers and Professionals) has moved ahead to April 22, 2013, a small but positive sign. However, EB-1 (Priority Workers) remains stalled at February 15, 2022, and EB-2 (Advanced Degree Professionals) stays at January 1, 2013, offering no change from the previous month.
Family-based immigration categories F2A and F4 offer some promise for Indian families navigating long wait times
Among family-sponsored categories, the latest cut-off dates for Indian applicants are:
- F1 (Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens): July 15, 2016
- F2A (Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents): September 01, 2022
- F2B (Unmarried Sons and Daughters 21+ of Permanent Residents): October 15, 2016
- F3 (Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens): August 01, 2011
- F4 (Siblings of Adult U.S. Citizens): July 08, 2006
The EB-3 final action date has advanced by one week, while EB-1 and EB-2 categories remain unchanged, offering a glimmer of hope for backlog-stricken Indian applicants.
In the employment-based categories:
- EB-1: February 15, 2022
- EB-2: January 01, 2013
- EB-3 and Other Workers: April 22, 2013
- EB-5: May 01, 2019
Indian applicants continue to face significant wait times in most categories, but any forward movement is seen as progress
Although the changes are incremental, they reflect a slow-moving shift in priority dates that could benefit thousands of Indians waiting in line for Green Cards. The slight advancement in EB-3 offers hope for those who have been in backlog for over a decade, while categories like F2A and F4 remain closely watched by families eager for reunification.
Experts advise applicants to stay updated with USCIS guidelines and ensure their documentation is ready as soon as their priority dates become current.
