Key Updates for Green Card Applicants
The U.S. Department of State has released the Visa Bulletin for May 2025, providing crucial information for individuals awaiting green card processing. This monthly bulletin outlines the movement in priority dates for both family-sponsored and employment-based immigrant visas.
Understanding the Visa Bulletin
The Visa Bulletin is a monthly publication that indicates when immigrant visa applicants can proceed with their applications based on their priority dates. It includes two main charts:
Dates for Filing: Indicates when applicants can submit their applications.
Final Action Dates: Indicates when visas can be issued.
For May 2025, family-based applicants should refer to the “Dates for Filing” chart, while employment-based applicants should consult the “Final Action Dates” chart.
Notable Changes in May 2025
F-2A Category (Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents): Advanced by over three months across all countries, offering faster processing times for applicants in this category.
F-4 Category (Siblings of U.S. Citizens): Progressed by two months for most countries, excluding India and Mexico.
EB-5 Category (Immigrant Investors) for India: Experienced a retrogression of six months, indicating increased demand and longer wait times.
EB-4 Category (Special Immigrants): Reached its annual limit and will remain unavailable until the new fiscal year.
What This Means for Applicants
Applicants should check their priority dates against the latest Visa Bulletin to determine their eligibility to proceed with their green card applications. Staying informed about these updates is essential for timely and successful immigration processing.
