DV-2025 Regional Rank Cutoffs for August 2025 Visa Bulletin

Key Takeaways

• The August 2025 Visa Bulletin details Family, Employment, and Diversity Visa categories with cut-off dates and quotas.
• Family-sponsored visas have long wait times; EB-2 and EB-3 categories for India and China face backlogs.
• Diversity Visa Lottery offers about 52,000 visas for eligible countries, ending September 30, 2025.

When planning to immigrate to the United States 🇺🇸, understanding the options available through the Visa Bulletin is essential. The Visa Bulletin, published monthly by the United States Department of State, outlines which immigrant visa categories are open, the cut-off dates for each, and the number of visas available. For August 2025, the Visa Bulletin provides detailed information on three main paths: Family-Sponsored Preference Visas, Employment-Based Preference Visas, and the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery. Each option has its own requirements, timelines, and advantages. This comparison will help you decide which path may be best for your situation.

Family-Sponsored Preference Visas

Overview

Family-sponsored preference visas allow U.S. citizens and permanent residents to bring certain family members to the United States 🇺🇸. These visas are divided into four main categories, each with its own quota and wait times. The categories are:

• F1: Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens
• F2A: Spouses and children of permanent residents
• F2B: Unmarried sons and daughters (21 or older) of permanent residents
• F3: Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens
• F4: Brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens

Requirements

• The sponsor must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
• The applicant must be a qualifying family member.
• A petition must be filed and approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
• Applicants must wait for their priority date to become current, as shown in the Visa Bulletin.

Timelines

The wait time for a family-sponsored visa depends on the category and the applicant’s country of origin. For August 2025, the Visa Bulletin lists the following “Final Action Dates” (the date when a visa can be issued):

• F1 (Unmarried sons/daughters of U.S. citizens): July 15, 2016 (most countries), April 22, 2005 (Mexico), July 15, 2012 (Philippines)
• F2A (Spouses/children of permanent residents): September 1, 2022 (most countries), February 1, 2022 (Mexico)
• F2B (Unmarried sons/daughters of permanent residents): October 15, 2016 (most countries), January 7, 2007 (Mexico), April 15, 2012 (Philippines)
• F3 (Married sons/daughters of U.S. citizens): August 1, 2011 (most countries), February 1, 2001 (Mexico), December 1, 2003 (Philippines)
• F4 (Siblings of adult U.S. citizens): January 1, 2008 (most countries), November 1, 2006 (India), March 15, 2001 (Mexico), January 1, 2006 (Philippines)

The “Dates for Filing” chart allows applicants to submit documents earlier, but the actual visa cannot be issued until the “Final Action Date” is current.

Costs

• Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative): $535 (as of 2025)
• Visa application fees: $325–$345 per applicant
• Medical exam and other costs: Vary by country

Pros

• Clear path for close family members
• Permanent residency (green card) upon approval
• Ability to include spouse and children as derivatives

Cons

• Long wait times for some categories and countries (especially Mexico, India, and the Philippines)
• Annual quotas can cause delays
• Limited to certain family relationships

Employment-Based Preference Visas

Overview

Employment-based preference visas are for people who have job offers in the United States 🇺🇸, possess special skills, or are investing in the country. There are five main categories:

• EB-1: Priority workers (outstanding professors, researchers, executives, and managers)
• EB-2: Professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability
• EB-3: Skilled workers, professionals, and other workers
• EB-4: Certain special immigrants (religious workers, some government employees)
• EB-5: Immigrant investors

Requirements

• Employer sponsorship (except for some self-petition categories)
• Labor certification for most EB-2 and EB-3 cases
• Proof of qualifications, job offer, or investment
• Priority date based on when the petition was filed

Timelines

The Visa Bulletin for August 2025 lists the following “Final Action Dates” for employment-based categories:

• EB-1: Current for most countries, November 15, 2022 (China), February 15, 2022 (India)
• EB-2: September 1, 2023 (most countries), December 15, 2020 (China), January 1, 2013 (India)
• EB-3: April 1, 2023 (most countries), December 1, 2020 (China), May 22, 2013 (India)
• EB-3 Other Workers: July 8, 2021 (most countries), May 1, 2017 (China), May 22, 2013 (India)
• EB-4: Unavailable for all countries in August 2025
• EB-5 Unreserved: Current for most countries, December 8, 2015 (China), November 15, 2019 (India)

The “Dates for Filing” chart allows earlier document submission, but the actual green card cannot be issued until the “Final Action Date” is reached.

Costs

• Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker): $700
• Visa application fees: $345 per applicant
• Labor certification (PERM): No government fee, but attorney and advertising costs apply
• EB-5 investment: Minimum $800,000–$1,050,000, depending on the project

Pros

• Pathway for skilled professionals and investors
• Some categories have shorter wait times
• Can include spouse and children as derivatives

Cons

• Some categories (especially EB-2 and EB-3 for India and China) have long backlogs
• Labor certification process can be lengthy
• EB-5 requires a large financial investment

Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery

Overview

The Diversity Visa Lottery, also known as the Green Card Lottery, is designed to increase immigration from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States 🇺🇸. Each year, about 55,000 visas are available, but for DV-2025, the number is reduced to about 52,000 due to special allocations.

Requirements

• Born in an eligible country (countries with low immigration to the United States 🇺🇸)
• High school education or equivalent, or two years of work experience in a qualifying occupation
• Selection through the random lottery process

Timelines

The Visa Bulletin for August 2025 lists the following regional rank cut-offs for DV-2025 applicants. Only those with a rank number below the cut-off can proceed:

• Africa: 50,000 (except Algeria 49,950, Egypt 43,250, Morocco 40,500)
• Asia: 11,000 (except Iran 10,650, Nepal 10,650)
• Europe: 22,000 (except Russia 21,950, Uzbekistan 13,000)
• North America (Bahamas): Current (no cut-off)
• Oceania: 1,700
• South America and the Caribbean: 2,600

The year of entitlement for DV-2025 ends on September 30, 2025. No DV-2025 visas can be issued after that date, and numbers may run out before then.

Costs

• DV Lottery entry: Free
• Visa application fee: $330 per applicant
• Medical exam and other costs: Vary by country

Pros

• Open to people without family or job sponsorship
• Simple entry process
• Lower fees compared to other categories

Cons

• Selection is random, so there is no guarantee of winning
• Strict deadlines—must complete the process by September 30, 2025
• Limited to certain countries and regions

Side-by-Side Comparison

Recommendations for Different Situations

• If you have close family in the United States 🇺🇸, the family-sponsored route is usually the most reliable, though you may face long waits depending on your category and country.
• If you have a job offer, advanced degree, or special skills, the employment-based categories may be faster, especially for countries without backlogs.
• If you are from a country with low immigration to the United States 🇺🇸 and meet the education or work experience requirements, the Diversity Visa Lottery is worth trying, but do not rely on it as your only option.

Decision-Making Framework

To decide which path is best for you, consider the following steps:

1. Check Your Eligibility
   • Do you have a close family member who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident?
   • Do you have a job offer, advanced degree, or special skills?
   • Are you from a country eligible for the DV Lottery?
2. Review Wait Times
   • Look up your category’s “Final Action Date” in the latest Visa Bulletin.
   • Consider how long you are willing to wait.
3. Evaluate Costs
   • Add up the government fees, legal fees, and other expenses for each path.
4. Assess Your Chances
   • Family and employment categories are based on eligibility and priority date.
   • The DV Lottery is random, so have a backup plan.
5. Plan for Deadlines
   • For the DV Lottery, you must complete the process by September 30 of the fiscal year.
   • For family and employment categories, keep track of your priority date and document requirements.

Special Notes from the August 2025 Visa Bulletin

• Retrogression: The Visa Bulletin warns that some employment-based categories (especially EB-2 and EB-3) may retrogress, meaning the cut-off dates could move backward if demand is too high. This can cause unexpected delays.
• EB-4 and Certain Religious Workers: These categories are unavailable in August 2025.
• EB-5 Unreserved for China and India: The final action dates have advanced due to unused numbers, but could become unavailable if the annual limit is reached.
• Diversity Visa Deadline: All DV-2025 visas must be issued by September 30, 2025. If you are selected, act quickly.

Practical Guidance

• Always check the latest Visa Bulletin from the United States Department of State for updates, as dates and availability can change monthly. The official bulletin is available at travel.state.gov.
• If you are applying for adjustment of status within the United States 🇺🇸, check the USCIS website to see which chart (Final Action Dates or Dates for Filing) you should use for your application. You can find this information at USCIS Visa Bulletin Info.
• For family-sponsored and employment-based categories, make sure your petition is filed as early as possible to secure your priority date.
• For the DV Lottery, submit your entry during the official registration period and keep your confirmation number safe.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, many applicants are caught off guard by changes in the Visa Bulletin, such as retrogression or sudden unavailability of certain categories. Staying informed and having backup options can help you avoid disappointment.

Conclusion and Next Steps

Choosing the right immigration path to the United States 🇺🇸 depends on your personal situation, eligibility, and how much time and money you can invest. The Visa Bulletin for August 2025 shows that each option—family-sponsored, employment-based, and the Diversity Visa Lottery—has unique benefits and challenges. By carefully reviewing your eligibility, understanding the timelines and costs, and keeping up with monthly updates from the United States Department of State, you can make the best decision for your future.

If you are ready to begin, gather your documents, check your priority date, and consult the latest Visa Bulletin. For official forms, such as the Form I-130 for family petitions or Form I-140 for employment-based cases, always use the official USCIS website to avoid outdated or incorrect paperwork.

Remember, immigration rules can change quickly. Stay alert, be prepared, and seek professional advice if you have questions about your specific case. This approach will give you the best chance of success, no matter which path you choose.

Learn Today

Visa Bulletin → Monthly publication by the U.S. Department of State showing visa availability and priority dates.
Family-Sponsored Preference Visas → Immigrant visas for relatives of U.S. citizens or permanent residents under specific categories.
Employment-Based Preference Visas → Immigrant visas for workers with job offers, special skills, or investors under five priority categories.
Priority Date → The date when a visa petition is filed, determining an applicant’s place in line.
Diversity Visa Lottery → A program granting visas by random selection to applicants from countries with low U.S. immigration rates.

This Article in a Nutshell

The August 2025 Visa Bulletin outlines immigration paths: family, employment, and Diversity Visa Lottery, each with unique requirements, costs, and wait times. Applicants should assess eligibility, review priority dates, and plan carefully to navigate complex timelines and maximize their chance for U.S. permanent residency success.
— By VisaVerge.com