August 2025 Visa Bulletin: EB-1 to EB-5 Filing Dates for India

Key Takeaways

• The August 2025 Visa Bulletin details filing dates for EB-1 to EB-5 applicants from India.
• All required documents must be official, translated if needed, and properly formatted to avoid delays.
• EB-5 applicants must provide extensive proof of lawful investment sources and fund transfers.

Preparing your EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4, or EB-5 application for India based on the August 2025 Visa Bulletin from the United States Department of State requires careful attention to documentation, formatting, and timing. Missing or incorrect documents are among the most common reasons for delays or denials, so it’s important to know exactly what you need, where to get it, and how to present it. This checklist is designed to help you gather, prepare, and submit all required documents for your employment-based immigrant visa application, with a focus on preventing common mistakes that can slow down your process.

Understanding the August 2025 Visa Bulletin

The August 2025 Visa Bulletin, published by the United States Department of State, sets out the “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing” for each employment-based preference category. For Indian applicants, these dates determine when you can submit your application and when your case can be approved. The Visa Bulletin is updated monthly and can be found on the official Department of State website.

Before you begin assembling your documents, check the current Visa Bulletin to confirm your eligibility to file. For August 2025, the “Dates for Filing” chart for India is as follows:

• EB-1 (First Preference): 15 April 2022
• EB-2 (Second Preference): 1 February 2013
• EB-3 (Third Preference): 8 June 2013
• EB-4 (Certain Special Immigrants): 1 February 2021
• EB-5 (Unreserved): 1 April 2022

If your priority date is earlier than the date listed for your category, you may begin assembling and submitting your documents to the National Visa Center (NVC) after receiving notification.

Complete Document Checklist for EB-1 to EB-5 India Applicants

Below is a detailed checklist of documents required for employment-based immigrant visa applications (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4, EB-5) for India, based on the guidance from the United States Department of State and the August 2025 Visa Bulletin.

1. Passport

• Who needs it: All applicants and each accompanying family member
• Where to obtain: Issued by your country’s passport authority (for India, the Passport Seva Kendra)
• Requirements:
  • Must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended date of entry into the United States 🇺🇸
  • Must be undamaged and have at least two blank pages
• Common issues: Expired passports, damaged pages, or insufficient validity period

2. Form DS-260 (Immigrant Visa Application)

• Who needs it: Principal applicant and each accompanying family member
• Where to obtain: Complete and submit online at the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC)
• Requirements:
  • Each applicant must have their own DS-260
  • Print the confirmation page after submission for your records and interview
• Common issues: Incomplete forms, mismatched information with supporting documents

3. Form I-797 (Notice of Action)

• Who needs it: Principal applicant
• Where to obtain: Issued by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) after petition approval
• Requirements:
  • Must match the petition type (I-140 for EB-1, EB-2, EB-3; I-360 for EB-4; I-526 or I-526E for EB-5)
  • Include the original or a clear copy
• Common issues: Missing or incorrect receipt numbers, submitting the wrong form

4. Birth Certificate

• Who needs it: All applicants, including children
• Where to obtain: Municipal authority or local registrar in India
• Requirements:
  • Must include full name, date and place of birth, and names of both parents
  • If unavailable, obtain a “Non-Availability Certificate” and secondary evidence (school records, affidavits)
• Translation needs: If not in English, provide a certified English translation
• Common issues: Missing parent names, unofficial translations, or incomplete information

5. Marriage Certificate (if applicable)

• Who needs it: Married applicants and spouses
• Where to obtain: Registrar of Marriages in India
• Requirements:
  • Must be an official government-issued certificate
  • Include both spouses’ full names and date of marriage
• Translation needs: Certified English translation if not in English
• Common issues: Religious or unofficial certificates, missing translations

6. Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)

• Who needs it: All applicants aged 16 or older
• Where to obtain: Regional Passport Office, local police station, or Indian Embassy/Consulate if residing abroad
• Requirements:
  • Must cover all places of residence for more than six months since age 16
  • Must be recent (usually issued within the last year)
• Translation needs: Certified English translation if not in English
• Common issues: Outdated certificates, incomplete address history

7. Court and Prison Records (if applicable)

• Who needs it: Applicants with any criminal history
• Where to obtain: Relevant court or police authority
• Requirements:
  • Certified copies of all court and prison records, even if you were later pardoned or the charges were dropped
• Translation needs: Certified English translation if not in English
• Common issues: Missing records, incomplete documentation

8. Military Records (if applicable)

• Who needs it: Applicants with military service
• Where to obtain: Military authority or records office
• Requirements:
  • Official record of service, discharge, or exemption
• Translation needs: Certified English translation if not in English
• Common issues: Missing or unofficial records

9. Evidence of Relationship (for dependents)

• Who needs it: Spouses and children of the principal applicant
• Where to obtain: Birth certificates, adoption decrees, marriage certificates
• Requirements:
  • Documents must clearly show the relationship to the principal applicant
• Translation needs: Certified English translation if not in English
• Common issues: Inconsistent names, missing documents

10. Employment Offer Letter (for EB-2 and EB-3)

• Who needs it: EB-2 and EB-3 applicants
• Where to obtain: U.S. employer
• Requirements:
  • Must be on company letterhead, signed, and include job title, duties, salary, and start date
• Common issues: Missing signatures, vague job descriptions

11. Labor Certification (PERM, if required)

• Who needs it: Most EB-2 and EB-3 applicants
• Where to obtain: U.S. Department of Labor, provided by employer
• Requirements:
  • Certified ETA Form 9089
• Common issues: Expired certifications, missing signatures

12. Financial Documents (for EB-5)

• Who needs it: EB-5 applicants
• Where to obtain: Personal and business financial institutions, tax authorities
• Requirements:
  • Proof of investment funds, source of funds, and transfer of funds to the U.S. project
  • Tax returns, bank statements, business records
• Translation needs: Certified English translation if not in English
• Common issues: Incomplete source of funds documentation, missing translations

13. Medical Examination Report

• Who needs it: All applicants
• Where to obtain: Panel physician approved by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate
• Requirements:
  • Schedule exam after receiving instructions from the NVC or Consulate
  • Bring vaccination records and passport to the appointment
  • Receive sealed envelope with results for the interview
• Common issues: Using a non-approved doctor, missing vaccination records

14. Photographs

• Who needs it: All applicants
• Where to obtain: Professional photo studio
• Requirements:
  • 2×2 inches, white background, no glasses, recent (within 6 months)
  • Follow U.S. visa photo requirements
• Common issues: Incorrect size, background, or outdated photos

15. Fee Payment Receipts

• Who needs it: All applicants
• Where to obtain: Online payment portal or bank, as instructed by NVC or Consulate
• Requirements:
  • Proof of payment for visa application fees, affidavit of support fees (if applicable)
• Common issues: Missing receipts, incorrect payment amounts

16. Affidavit of Support (Form I-864, if required)

• Who needs it: Family-based applicants and some employment-based applicants (if a relative owns 5% or more of the petitioning company)
• Where to obtain: Download from the USCIS website
• Requirements:
  • Completed and signed by the sponsor
  • Include supporting financial documents (tax returns, W-2s, bank statements)
• Common issues: Incomplete forms, missing financial evidence

17. Additional Supporting Documents (as required)

• Who needs it: Varies by case
• Where to obtain: Educational institutions, employers, government offices
• Examples:
  • Degree certificates and transcripts (for EB-2)
  • Awards, publications, or evidence of extraordinary ability (for EB-1)
  • Adoption records (for adopted children)
• Translation needs: Certified English translation if not in English
• Common issues: Unofficial transcripts, missing translations

Formatting Requirements for All Documents

• Originals and Copies: Bring originals and clear photocopies of all documents to your visa interview. The consular officer may keep some copies.
• Translations: Any document not in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation. The translator must certify that the translation is complete and accurate, and that they are competent to translate.
• Legibility: All copies must be clear and readable. Faded, blurry, or cut-off documents can cause delays.
• Consistency: Names, dates, and other details must match across all documents. Inconsistencies can lead to requests for more evidence or even denials.

Where to Obtain Each Document

• Passports: Passport Seva Kendra or Indian Embassy/Consulate
• Birth/Marriage Certificates: Local municipal office or registrar
• Police Clearance Certificates: Regional Passport Office, local police, or Indian Embassy/Consulate
• Court/Military Records: Relevant authority or office
• Employment Letters/Labor Certification: U.S. employer or Department of Labor
• Financial Documents: Banks, tax authorities, accountants
• Medical Exam: Panel physician listed by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate
• Photographs: Professional photo studio following U.S. specifications
• Fee Receipts: Online payment portal or bank, as instructed

Translation Needs

• Certified English Translation: Any document not in English must be translated. The translation must include a signed statement from the translator certifying that it is accurate and that they are qualified to translate.
• Who can translate: Professional translators, not family members
• What to include: The original document, the translation, and the translator’s certification

Common Document Issues and How to Avoid Them

• Expired or Damaged Passports: Renew your passport early if it will expire within six months of your planned travel.
• Missing Parent Names on Birth Certificates: If your birth certificate does not list both parents, obtain a Non-Availability Certificate and secondary evidence.
• Untranslated Documents: Always provide certified English translations for any document not in English.
• Inconsistent Information: Double-check that names, dates, and other details match across all documents.
• Outdated Police Certificates: Obtain new police clearance certificates if your previous one is more than a year old or if you have lived in a new place since it was issued.
• Unofficial Certificates: Only official, government-issued certificates are accepted for birth, marriage, and other civil documents.
• Incomplete Forms: Fill out all forms completely and accurately. Do not leave blanks unless instructed.
• Missing Signatures: Make sure all forms and letters are signed where required.
• Incorrect Photo Specifications: Follow the U.S. visa photo requirements exactly to avoid delays.

Special Notes for EB-5 Applicants

• Source of Funds: You must provide clear, documented evidence of the lawful source of your investment funds. This often requires several years of tax returns, bank statements, business records, and sale deeds.
• Transfer of Funds: Show proof of the transfer of funds to the U.S. investment project.
• Regional Center Projects: If investing through a regional center, include all documents provided by the center.

Special Notes for Family Members (Derivatives)

• Each family member must have their own set of documents, including passports, birth certificates, and police certificates.
• Relationship Evidence: For spouses and children, provide marriage and birth certificates to prove the relationship to the principal applicant.

After Submission: What Happens Next

Once you have assembled your documents and submitted your DS-260, the National Visa Center will review your file. If any documents are missing or incomplete, they will send you a checklist and request additional information. Only after your file is complete will you be scheduled for a visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

At the interview, bring all original documents, translations, and copies. The consular officer may ask questions about your application and supporting documents. If everything is in order, your visa will be issued. If there are problems, you may be asked to provide more evidence or correct errors.

Staying Up to Date

The Visa Bulletin changes every month. Always check the latest Visa Bulletin and the USCIS Visa Bulletin Info page to confirm which chart to use for filing and to see if your priority date is current. As reported by VisaVerge.com, delays often occur when applicants use outdated information or miss new deadlines, so staying informed is key.

Actionable Takeaways

• Start early: Gathering documents, especially police certificates and translations, can take time.
• Double-check everything: Make sure all documents are complete, official, and consistent.
• Follow formatting rules: Use certified translations and proper photo specifications.
• Stay informed: Check the August 2025 Visa Bulletin and the United States Department of State website for updates.
• Respond quickly: If the NVC requests more documents, reply as soon as possible to avoid delays.

By following this checklist and preparing your documents carefully, you can help ensure a smooth application process and avoid common pitfalls that lead to delays or denials. If you have questions about specific documents or your eligibility, consult the official Department of State Visa Bulletin page or seek advice from a qualified immigration professional.

Learn Today

Visa Bulletin → Monthly publication by the U.S. Department of State listing visa availability and filing dates.
DS-260 → Online immigrant visa application form that each applicant must complete and submit.
Priority Date → Date USCIS receives a petition; determines an applicant’s place in visa queue.
Labor Certification (PERM) → Employer’s application to U.S. Department of Labor proving no qualified U.S. worker available.
Affidavit of Support (I-864) → Sponsor’s document guaranteeing financial support to prevent applicant becoming public charge.

This Article in a Nutshell

Preparing employment-based visa applications for India requires strict adherence to the August 2025 Visa Bulletin. Submit complete, certified documents—including DS-260 and police clearance—on time. EB-5 investors must prove lawful funds. Following this checklist reduces delays and ensures smoother U.S. immigration processing for EB visa categories from India.
— By VisaVerge.com