July 2025 Visa Bulletin Shows Minimal Green Card Progress for India

Key Takeaways

• July 2025 Visa Bulletin shows minimal progress for India’s employment-based green card categories, with a one-week move in EB-3 only.
• China and other countries see larger advancements, especially a seven-week jump in EB-3 for all other countries.
• Applicants must refer to Final Action Dates for filing Form I-485; delays remain due to country caps and backlogs.

The July 2025 Visa Bulletin, released by the U.S. Department of State, provides new information for Indian nationals waiting in the employment-based green card backlog. This analysis examines the purpose and scope of the bulletin, the methodology used to interpret its data, key findings for India and other countries, and the broader context of green card wait times. The report also presents trends, comparisons, and practical implications for applicants, concluding with evidence-based observations and a discussion of the system’s limitations.

Purpose and Scope

This analysis aims to provide a clear, detailed understanding of the July 2025 Visa Bulletin’s impact on Indian nationals seeking employment-based green cards in the United States 🇺🇸. The focus is on:

• Explaining the changes in priority dates for India and comparing them to other countries
• Presenting the data in a way that is easy to understand, including visual descriptions
• Exploring the historical and systemic reasons behind the backlog
• Offering practical guidance for applicants affected by these changes

The scope includes only employment-based green card categories as outlined in the July 2025 Visa Bulletin, with a particular emphasis on India, while also referencing trends for other countries such as China and the Philippines.

Methodology

This analysis is based on:

• The official July 2025 Visa Bulletin published by the U.S. Department of State
• Data and statistics from recent immigration reports and government sources
• Expert commentary and analysis from recognized immigration authorities
• Comparative review of previous Visa Bulletins, especially June 2025, to identify trends and changes

All information is presented objectively, with clear explanations of technical terms and processes. Where official forms are mentioned, direct links to government pages are provided for reader convenience. The analysis also integrates findings from VisaVerge.com to enhance credibility.

Key Findings

1. Minimal Advancement for India

The July 2025 Visa Bulletin shows very limited progress for Indian nationals in the employment-based green card queue:

• EB-1 (Priority Workers): No change; remains at February 15, 2022
• EB-2 (Advanced Degree Professionals): No change; remains at January 1, 2013
• EB-3 (Skilled Workers and Professionals): Advances by one week to April 22, 2013
• EB-3 Other Workers: Also advances by one week to April 22, 2013

This means that, for most Indian applicants, the wait continues with only a slight improvement for those in the EB-3 category.

2. Greater Movement for Other Countries

Other countries have seen more significant changes:

• China: EB-1 advances by one week to November 15, 2022; EB-2 by two weeks to December 15, 2020; EB-3 by one week to December 1, 2020
• All Other Countries: EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers advance by seven weeks to April 1, 2023
• Philippines: No movement in EB-3; remains at the same date as June 2025

3. Filing Instructions

For July 2025:

• Employment-based applicants must use the Final Action Dates chart to determine if they can file Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status)
• Family-based applicants must use the Dates for Filing chart

This distinction is important for those already in the United States 🇺🇸 who wish to adjust their status.

Data Presentation and Visual Descriptions

To help readers picture the changes, imagine a timeline for each employment-based category. Each country has a marker showing how far applicants have moved forward in the queue. For India, the marker barely moves, especially in EB-1 and EB-2, while for other countries, the marker jumps ahead by several weeks or more.

Table: July 2025 Visa Bulletin – Final Action Dates (Selected Countries)

Note: “Current” means there is no backlog for that category and country.

Comparisons, Trends, and Patterns

India vs. Other Countries

• India: Progress is extremely slow, especially in EB-2, which has not moved for months. EB-3 moved forward by only one week.
• China: Sees small but steady movement in all categories.
• All Other Countries: Experience the most significant advancement, especially in EB-3, where the date jumps ahead by seven weeks.

Historical Patterns

• The June 2025 Visa Bulletin showed no movement for India in any employment-based category.
• The July 2025 bulletin offers only a one-week advancement in EB-3 for India, which is minor compared to the progress for other countries.
• Over the past several years, India’s green card backlog has grown due to high demand and strict annual caps.

Systemic Issues

• Annual Caps: No country can use more than 7% of the total green cards in most categories, which severely limits India due to its high number of applicants.
• Unused Visa Numbers: Since 1921, about 6.3 million green card spots have gone unused, making the backlog worse.
• Growing Demand: The number of applicants has grown to about 35 million, but the total number of green cards available each year is just under 1.1 million.

Evidence-Based Conclusions

The Backlog for Indian Nationals

• Waiting Periods: Indian nationals face waiting times that can stretch over a century for some employment-based categories.
• Probability of Success: Only about 3% of green card applicants in the United States 🇺🇸 are expected to receive permanent status in fiscal year 2024.
• Total Backlog: There are about 34.7 million pending applications across all green card categories.
• Family-Sponsored Immigrants: Wait times range from 14 to 224 years, depending on the category and country of birth. Nearly 39% of new sponsors in 2022 are expected to die before their relatives get a green card, based on standard mortality tables.

Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery

• The DV lottery, another way to get a green card, has become much harder to win. The chance of success is now about 0.25% (1 in 400 odds), down 80% since 1995.

Impact of July 2025 Bulletin

• The one-week advancement in EB-3 for India is a small step forward but does not change the overall picture for most applicants.
• The backlog remains a major challenge, with little hope for quick improvement unless there are changes to the law or processing system.

Practical Implications for Applicants

For Indian Nationals

• EB-1 Applicants: If your priority date is after February 15, 2022, you must keep waiting for future bulletins.
• EB-2 Applicants: If your priority date is after January 1, 2013, there is no change; you remain in the queue.
• EB-3 Applicants: If your priority date is just after April 15, 2013, you may now be eligible to move forward with your application.
• Adjustment of Status: If you are eligible, you should prepare to file Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) based on the Final Action Dates chart.

For All Applicants

• The July 2025 Visa Bulletin is effective from July 1, 2025.
• USCIS will confirm on its Adjustment of Status Filing Charts page whether you should use the Final Action Dates or Dates for Filing chart.
• Regularly check the U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin page for the latest updates.

Limitations of the Current System

• Annual Country Caps: These caps are set by law and can only be changed by Congress. They create long waits for countries with high demand, like India.
• Unused Visas: When green cards go unused in a given year, they are not always carried over to the next year, which wastes available spots.
• Processing Delays: Even when green cards are available, slow processing times can add months or years to the wait.
• No Quick Fix: Without changes to the law or major improvements in processing, the backlog for Indian nationals is likely to remain for years to come.

Data Visualization: Describing the Backlog

Imagine a long line at a ticket counter. For Indian nationals, the line barely moves, especially in the EB-2 category. People at the front of the line have been waiting for over a decade, while new arrivals may wait their entire lives. In contrast, for applicants from other countries, the line moves much faster, and some categories have no line at all.

Trends and Patterns

• Stagnation for India: The lack of movement in EB-1 and EB-2 for India shows that the system is not keeping up with demand.
• Incremental Progress: The one-week advancement in EB-3 is a small sign of progress but does not address the underlying backlog.
• Greater Movement Elsewhere: Other countries, especially those with lower demand, see more significant advancements in the Visa Bulletin.

Expert Commentary

Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that the minimal movement for Indian nationals in the July 2025 Visa Bulletin reflects a deep imbalance between the number of people seeking green cards and the number available each year. Experts agree that, without legislative changes, the backlog will continue to grow, and Indian applicants will face some of the longest waits in the world.

Actionable Takeaways

• Check Your Priority Date: Compare your priority date to the Final Action Dates in the July 2025 Visa Bulletin.
• Prepare Your Documents: If you are eligible to file Form I-485, gather all necessary paperwork and consult the official USCIS instructions.
• Stay Informed: Regularly review the Visa Bulletin and USCIS updates for changes that may affect your case.
• Consider Alternatives: If your wait is especially long, explore other visa options or pathways to permanent residency, such as the Diversity Visa lottery, though chances are low.
• Consult a Professional: For complex cases or questions, seek advice from a qualified immigration attorney.

Conclusion

The July 2025 Visa Bulletin offers only minor relief for Indian nationals waiting for employment-based green cards. The one-week advancement in EB-3 is a small step forward, but the overall backlog remains a major challenge. Systemic issues, such as annual country caps and unused visa numbers, continue to slow progress for India, while other countries see more significant movement. Applicants should stay informed, prepare their documents, and consider all available options while waiting for future changes in the immigration system.

For the most up-to-date information, always refer to the U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin page and the USCIS Adjustment of Status Filing Charts page.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the situation for Indian nationals remains difficult, with only small signs of progress in the latest bulletin. The need for systemic reform is clear, but until then, applicants must continue to monitor the Visa Bulletin and prepare for a long wait.

Learn Today

Priority Date → The date when an applicant’s petition was filed, determining their place in the visa queue.
Final Action Dates → Dates when green card applications can be approved based on visa availability for each category and country.
Adjustment of Status → The process allowing eligible applicants in the U.S. to apply for permanent residency without leaving the country.
Employment-Based Green Card → Visa category for immigrants sponsored by employers, including EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 classifications.
Annual Country Caps → Legal limits restricting the number of visas issued per country each year, causing delays for high-demand countries.

This Article in a Nutshell

The July 2025 Visa Bulletin reveals limited green card progress for Indian nationals, with only EB-3 advancing by one week. Other countries show faster movement. Systemic caps and high demand prolong India’s wait, underscoring the need for applicants to stay informed and prepare documentation amid ongoing delays.
— By VisaVerge.com