Key Takeaways
• F2A family preference shows rapid 8-month advancement between June and July 2025 visa bulletins.
• EB-3 employment worldwide advances steadily, benefiting skilled workers with priority dates in mid-2023.
• Mexico’s F2B category advances by a full year; China and India face ongoing employment backlogs.
As the United States 🇺🇸 approaches the final quarter of Fiscal Year 2025, the release of each monthly visa bulletin becomes a focal point for thousands of families, workers, and legal professionals. The visa bulletin, published by the U.S. Department of State, determines when applicants in various family- and employment-based immigration categories can move forward with their green card applications. This analysis provides a detailed, evidence-based forecast for the August 2025 visa bulletin, focusing on movement patterns, trends, and practical implications—especially for the F2A family preference category, which has seen remarkable changes in recent months.
Purpose and Scope
The purpose of this analysis is to provide a clear, data-driven forecast for the August 2025 visa bulletin. The scope covers all major family- and employment-based preference categories, with special attention to the F2A family preference group. The analysis aims to help applicants, attorneys, and stakeholders understand likely changes, prepare for next steps, and recognize the broader trends shaping U.S. immigration policy as the fiscal year draws to a close.
Methodology
This forecast draws on a close review of the June and July 2025 visa bulletins, examining the rate of date advancement, country-specific patterns, and historical trends. The analysis also considers statements from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of State, as well as reported changes in visa allocation and processing. By comparing recent monthly movements and identifying outliers, the analysis projects likely cut-off dates and category status for August 2025.
Key Findings
- F2A family preference is expected to see continued rapid advancement, reflecting a strong push to reunite families.
- EB-3 employment-based worldwide dates are likely to advance further, offering hope to skilled workers.
- Mexico and the Philippines show unique movement patterns, with Mexico’s F2B category making large leaps and the Philippines experiencing both advances and periods of little change.
- China and India continue to face backlogs in employment-based categories, but steady, if modest, progress is expected.
- End-of-fiscal-year acceleration may occur in some categories to prevent unused visa numbers.
Data Presentation and Visual Overview
To help readers understand the predicted changes, the following sections break down each preference category, highlight key numbers, and explain what these shifts mean for applicants. While this analysis does not include charts or graphs, it presents the data in a clear, organized format for easy reference.
Family-Sponsored Categories: August 2025 Predictions
F1 – Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- Worldwide (including China and India): Expected to advance to August 15-22, 2016
- Mexico: Likely to remain at April 22, 2005, or advance slightly to May 1, 2005
- Philippines: Expected to hold at July 15, 2012, or move to July 22, 2012
Pattern: The F1 category has shown steady, predictable movement—about 37 days per month—except for Mexico and the Philippines, where backlogs remain significant due to high demand.
F2A – Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
The F2A family preference category has experienced the most dramatic change, with an 8-month jump from January to September 2022 between June and July 2025. This signals a strong effort by USCIS to keep this category as current as possible.
- Worldwide (except Mexico): Predicted to advance to March 1, 2023, to April 1, 2023
- Mexico: Expected to move to September 1, 2022, to October 1, 2022
- F2A Exempt Numbers: May advance to September 1, 2022 for all countries
Implication: This aggressive movement helps prevent backlogs and supports family reunification, a stated priority for U.S. immigration policy.
F2B – Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21+) of Permanent Residents
- Worldwide (including China and India): November 8, 2016
- Mexico: January 1, 2008 (continuing a pattern of yearly advances)
- Philippines: June 15-22, 2012
Pattern: Mexico’s F2B category is advancing by a full year at a time, which may reflect efforts to clear old cases or adjust for previous under-allocation.
F3 – Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- Worldwide (including China and India): September 15, 2011
- Mexico: February 22, 2001
- Philippines: February 1, 2004
Pattern: The F3 category is moving forward by about 40 days per month, with the Philippines advancing by 2-3 months at a time.
F4 – Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- Worldwide and China: January 1, 2008 (likely static)
- India: August 1, 2006 (steady monthly advancement)
- Mexico: March 15, 2001 (expected to remain static)
- Philippines: March 15 to April 1, 2006
Pattern: The Philippines saw a 7-month jump in July, possibly due to data corrections or increased visa availability.
Employment-Based Categories: August 2025 Predictions
EB-1 – Priority Workers
- Worldwide, Mexico, and Philippines: Current
- China: December 1, 2022 (weekly advancement)
- India: February 22 to March 1, 2022 (slight movement possible)
Pattern: EB-1 remains open for most countries, with only China and India facing backlogs.
EB-2 – Advanced Degrees/Exceptional Ability
- Worldwide, Mexico, and Philippines: October 15, 2023 (likely static)
- China: January 1, 2021 (bi-weekly advancement)
- India: January 1, 2013 (expected to remain static)
Pattern: China’s EB-2 category is advancing steadily, while India’s remains unchanged due to high demand.
EB-3 – Skilled Workers and Professionals
- Worldwide and Mexico: May 15-22, 2023
- China: December 15, 2020
- India: May 1, 2013
- Philippines: February 8, 2023
Pattern: EB-3 worldwide is advancing by about 52 days per month, the healthiest movement among employment-based categories.
EB-3 Other Workers
- Worldwide, Mexico, and Philippines: July 22 to August 1, 2021
- China: June 1, 2017
- India: May 1, 2013
Pattern: This subcategory is advancing steadily for most countries, with China moving forward by about a month each time.
EB-4 and EB-5 Categories
- EB-4 (Special Immigrants): Expected to remain unavailable
- EB-5 (Investment):
- Unreserved: Current for most countries; China (January 22, 2014) and India (May 1, 2019) likely static
- Set-Asides: All categories expected to remain current
Diversity Visa Program (DV-2025): August Cutoff Numbers
As the Diversity Visa (DV) program approaches its September 30, 2025, deadline, the August regional cutoff numbers show significant increases:
- Africa: 50,000 (except Algeria: 49,950; Egypt: 43,250; Morocco: 40,500)
- Asia: 11,000 (except Iran and Nepal: 10,650)
- Europe: 22,000 (except Russia: 21,950; Uzbekistan: 13,000)
- North America (Bahamas): Current
- Oceania: 1,700
- South America/Caribbean: 2,600
Pattern: These increases reflect the program’s push to use all available visas before the fiscal year ends.
Comparisons, Trends, and Patterns
F2A Family Preference Surge
The F2A family preference category stands out for its rapid advancement. An 8-month jump in one month is rare and signals a strong policy focus on family unity. This movement is likely to continue, especially as the fiscal year closes and the government seeks to use all available visas.
Mexico’s Unique Movement
Mexico’s F2B category is advancing by a year at a time, which is unusual. This may be due to efforts to clear old cases, improved data management, or policy changes aimed at reducing long-standing backlogs.
Employment-Based Stability
While some employment-based categories, like EB-3 worldwide, are moving quickly, others remain static or advance slowly. China and India continue to face the longest waits, but their categories are advancing at a predictable pace.
End-of-Year Acceleration
Historically, the last quarter of the fiscal year often brings faster movement in categories with unused visa numbers. This helps prevent “visa wastage,” where available green cards go unused due to processing delays.
Evidence-Based Conclusions
- Applicants in the F2A family preference category should see continued rapid advancement, making it possible for many to move forward with their green card applications in August 2025.
- EB-3 worldwide applicants are likely to benefit from steady progress, while those from China and India should expect modest but consistent movement.
- Applicants from Mexico and the Philippines should be aware of unique patterns in their categories, with some experiencing large jumps and others remaining static.
- End-of-fiscal-year trends suggest that categories with available visa numbers may see faster advancement in August and September 2025.
Limitations
- Predictions are based on past patterns and current data. Sudden changes in demand, government policy, or processing capacity can alter the expected movement.
- Country-specific backlogs may persist despite overall positive trends, especially for Mexico, China, India, and the Philippines.
- Official visa bulletin releases remain the only authoritative source for final cut-off dates and category status.
Recommendations for Applicants
- Prepare Documents Early: If your priority date is approaching, gather all required paperwork, such as birth certificates, marriage records, and police clearances.
- Monitor the Visa Bulletin: Check the official monthly visa bulletin for updates, as predictions can change based on real-time demand.
- Consult Legal Experts: If your case is close to becoming current, consider speaking with an immigration attorney for guidance on next steps.
- Stay in Touch with NVC: Make sure your contact information is up to date with the National Visa Center to avoid missing important notifications.
- Be Ready for Rapid Changes: As the fiscal year ends, some categories may advance quickly. Being prepared can help you respond promptly.
Practical Guidance and Next Steps
- Applicants in the F2A family preference category should watch for the August 2025 visa bulletin, as continued rapid advancement is likely. This could mean earlier green card interviews and faster reunification for many families.
- EB-3 skilled workers and professionals should also prepare for possible movement, especially those with priority dates in mid-2023.
- Applicants from high-demand countries (Mexico, China, India, Philippines) should pay close attention to their specific categories, as movement can be unpredictable.
- All applicants should use the Department of State’s visa bulletin page for the most current information.
Final Thoughts
The August 2025 visa bulletin is shaping up to be one of the most dynamic in recent years, especially for the F2A family preference and EB-3 worldwide categories. While challenges remain for certain countries, the overall trend is positive, with many applicants likely to see their cases move forward. As reported by VisaVerge.com, staying informed and prepared is the best way to take advantage of these changes.
For those waiting for their chance to reunite with family or start a new chapter in the United States 🇺🇸, the coming months could bring long-awaited progress. Always refer to the official Department of State visa bulletin for the latest updates, and consider seeking professional advice if your case is close to becoming current.
Disclaimer: This analysis is based on historical data and current trends. Actual visa bulletin movements may vary. For authoritative information, consult the official Department of State visa bulletin.
Learn Today
Visa Bulletin → A monthly Department of State publication listing green card application cut-off dates by visa category and country.
F2A Family Preference → Immigrant visa category for spouses and unmarried children of permanent residents.
Priority Date → The date an immigrant petition is filed, determining the applicant’s place in line for a visa.
Backlog → A delay caused by more visa applications than available visa numbers in certain categories or countries.
National Visa Center (NVC) → A USCIS-affiliated agency that processes immigrant visa applications before interviews at U.S. consulates.
This Article in a Nutshell
The August 2025 visa bulletin forecast reveals major advances in the F2A and EB-3 categories. Applicants from Mexico, the Philippines, China, and India face unique movements. Staying informed and prepared will help families and skilled workers seize these rare opportunities in U.S. immigration.
— By VisaVerge.com
