For China-mainland born professionals in the employment-based categories, the Visa Bulletin shift from September 2025 to October 2025 is more than just a monthly update — it marks the start of a new fiscal year and a recalibration of visa availability that can change whether you can file, whether you can be approved, and how you plan the next several months. October 2025 begins Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, and for China EB-2 and EB-3, the October Visa Bulletin brings cautious but meaningful forward movement. Below is a complete, step-by-step guide to understanding what changed, what it means for you, and how to navigate each stage with clarity and confidence.
Why October matters — the fiscal reset and what to track
Every October, the Department of State resets annual visa quotas. That reset often produces forward movement as new numbers are allocated. Movement is not uniform across countries because oversubscribed nations like China face per-country limits, which keep timelines tight and sometimes unpredictable.
If you’re following the Visa Bulletin closely, align your expectations with this reality: some years open with stronger advances, others with modest gains, and occasionally with stagnation or retrogression. October 2025 falls into the “modest gains” category for China EB-2 and EB-3, with Final Action Dates moving forward and Filing Dates either stable or inch forward.
What you need to track:
– Final Action Dates — who can receive a final green card approval right now.
– Dates for Filing — who may be allowed to submit adjustment of status applications (if USCIS confirms the Filing Dates chart will be used that month).
Where to confirm monthly logic:
– Official source: U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin.
– Practical explanation and month-by-month strategy: VisaVerge.com.
Step-by-step: what to do each month and what to expect
1) Identify your category and country of chargeability
– Action: Confirm you are in EB-2 or EB-3 and that your country of chargeability is China-mainland born.
– Why: China is oversubscribed and subject to per-country limits, creating separate queues that move differently from worldwide trends.
2) Locate your priority date
– Action: Find the priority date on your petition. You will compare it against both Final Action and Filing Date cutoffs.
– Why: Your priority date determines your place in line and whether you can be approved or file.
3) Check the Visa Bulletin and read both charts for your category
– Action: Compare your priority date to the EB-2 China and EB-3 China cutoffs for both charts in October 2025.
– Expectation:
– If your date is earlier than the Final Action cutoff, your case can reach final approval.
– If your date is earlier than the Filing Date cutoff and USCIS uses the Filing Dates chart that month, you can submit an adjustment application.
– Confirm: Always consult the Visa Bulletin’s official charts and notes.
4) Determine your path this month
– If current under Final Action: Expect approvals to move forward — your case may transition to completion if all documents and steps are ready.
– If only Filing Date is met (and USCIS allows it): Begin your adjustment of status filing process to enter the adjudication queue.
– If neither chart is current: Continue monitoring monthly; October’s movement indicates the likely tone for FY 2026.
5) Prepare for fluctuations
– Expect the State Department to balance worldwide demand. Modest monthly advances are likely, but sudden demand surges can cause stagnation or retrogression. October’s cautious approach aims to reduce mid-year pullbacks.
China EB-2: September 2025 → October 2025 — what changed and what it means
September 2025 baseline for EB-2 China:
– Final Action Date: December 15, 2020
– Date for Filing: December 1, 2021
– Practical meaning: Only priority dates earlier than December 15, 2020 could receive final approvals; those earlier than December 1, 2021 could file if USCIS used the Filing Dates chart.
October 2025 update for EB-2 China:
– Final Action Date: April 1, 2021
– Date for Filing: December 1, 2021 (unchanged)
– Movement summary: Final Action advanced ~3.5 months. Filing Date held steady.
Process impact for EB-2:
– If your priority date is between Dec 15, 2020 and Apr 1, 2021, you were stuck in September but are now current for Final Action in October — the difference between waiting and being approvable.
– If your priority date is earlier than Dec 1, 2021 but later than Apr 1, 2021, you are within the Filing Date but not Final Action; if USCIS allows Filing Dates, you can file but still wait for Final Action for approval.
– If your date is after Dec 1, 2021, you remain outside the filing window for October.
Why EB-2 moved and Filing Dates stayed put:
– Fresh FY 2026 numbers allowed EB-2 China to advance. Holding the Filing Date steady is a cautious strategy to avoid overwhelming USCIS with new filings and to reduce the chance of later retrogression.
China EB-3: September 2025 → October 2025 — what changed and what it means
September 2025 baseline for EB-3 China:
– Final Action Date: December 20, 2020
– Date for Filing: January 1, 2022
– Practical meaning: Final approvals limited to dates earlier than Dec 20, 2020; filing allowed up to Jan 1, 2022 when USCIS permitted Filing Dates.
October 2025 update for EB-3 China:
– Final Action Date: March 1, 2021
– Date for Filing: January 22, 2022
– Movement summary: Final Action advanced ~2.5 months; Filing Date moved forward 21 days.
Process impact for EB-3:
– If your priority date is between Dec 20, 2020 and Mar 1, 2021, you become current for Final Action in October and may be approved.
– If your priority date is between Jan 1, 2022 and Jan 22, 2022, October expands filing eligibility (if USCIS uses the Filing Dates chart).
– If your date is beyond Jan 22, 2022, you remain outside the filing window for October.
Comparing EB-2 and EB-3 in October 2025: strategy implications
- EB-2 leads on Final Action:
- EB-2 Final Action: April 1, 2021
- EB-3 Final Action: March 1, 2021
- Takeaway: EB-2 confers a small advantage for final approval timing for early‑2021 dates.
- EB-3 leads on Filing Date:
- EB-2 Filing Date: December 1, 2021
- EB-3 Filing Date: January 22, 2022
- Takeaway: EB-3 offers a slightly broader window to submit adjustment applications (subject to USCIS using the Filing Dates chart).
- Convergence: Both categories now cluster around early 2021 Final Action cutoffs, reflecting a balancing approach to avoid letting one category surge far ahead.
Why EB-2 advanced more than EB-3:
– Historical downgrades (applicants moving from EB-2 to EB-3) increased EB-3 demand and slowed its forward progress over time. October 2025’s allocations left a bit more room for EB-2 to advance.
What that means for decisions:
– The small differences this month suggest less incentive to switch categories aggressively. EB-2’s Final Action edge matters for approvals; EB-3’s Filing Date edge helps those seeking to file earlier if USCIS permits.
Detailed scenarios — mapping your situation to October outcomes
Scenario 1: EB-2, priority date Feb 10, 2021
– September: Not current.
– October: Current for Final Action (cutoff Apr 1, 2021). Your case can proceed to final approval.
Scenario 2: EB-3, priority date Feb 10, 2021
– September: Not current.
– October: Current for Final Action (cutoff Mar 1, 2021). Your case can move to final approval.
Scenario 3: EB-2, priority date May 15, 2021
– September: Not current; outside Filing Date.
– October: Final Action still behind (Apr 1, 2021); Filing unchanged (Dec 1, 2021) → still cannot file.
Scenario 4: EB-3, priority date Jan 15, 2022
– September: Eligible to file if USCIS allowed Filing Dates (cutoff Jan 1, 2022).
– October: Filing Date advanced to Jan 22, 2022 — you remain within the filing window (if USCIS allows it); Final Action remains behind.
Scenario 5: EB-3, priority date Jan 25, 2022
– September: Outside filing window.
– October: Filing Date Jan 22, 2022 — still just beyond the cutoff; a small future advance could unlock filing.
Month-by-month workflow: your action plan in October and beyond
- Align expectations with October’s cautious gains
- Authorities signaled momentum without opening the floodgates to avoid mid-year retrogression.
- If current under Final Action, prepare for completion steps
- Ensure all documentary and case-specific requirements are ready for adjudication.
- If within Filing Dates (and USCIS permits), file promptly
- Entering the pipeline earlier positions your case for adjudication as Final Action Dates continue to advance.
- If not current on either chart, monitor for incremental movement
- Watch for the pace of movement in subsequent months, which will be driven by demand, per-country limits, and spillover.
- Reassess EB-2 vs. EB-3 placement only if differences widen
- October’s differences are small; rapid switches are generally not advisable unless a clear long-term advantage emerges.
What to expect from authorities in FY 2026 after the October reset
A balancing act to reduce volatility:
– The State Department appears to be moving both EB-2 and EB-3 China forward while keeping categories aligned around early 2021 for Final Action. This helps avoid backlogs that could prompt sudden retrogression.
Indicators to watch:
– If worldwide demand is lower than expected, October’s momentum could continue in measured steps.
– If demand spikes (from new filings or category shifts), future months could flatten or retrogress to stay within annual limits.
How this benefits you:
– A cautious start gives predictability and lowers the risk of abrupt reversals — helpful for planning filing and approval timelines.
Exact numbers to plan around (recap)
EB-2 China
– September 2025 Final Action: December 15, 2020
– September 2025 Filing: December 1, 2021
– October 2025 Final Action: April 1, 2021
– October 2025 Filing: December 1, 2021
– Net change: Final Action advanced ~3.5 months; Filing Date unchanged.
EB-3 China
– September 2025 Final Action: December 20, 2020
– September 2025 Filing: January 1, 2022
– October 2025 Final Action: March 1, 2021
– October 2025 Filing: January 22, 2022
– Net change: Final Action advanced ~2.5 months; Filing Date advanced 21 days.
Cross-category positioning
– EB-2 leads on Final Action: Apr 1, 2021 vs. EB-3 Mar 1, 2021.
– EB-3 leads on Filing Date: Jan 22, 2022 vs. EB-2 Dec 1, 2021.
Practical guidance for applicants in October 2025
If your priority date is in early 2021:
– EB-2: Many early 2021 dates are now current for Final Action — this can unlock approvals not possible in September.
– EB-3: Early 2021 dates also saw new approvability, slightly behind EB-2.
If your priority date is late 2021 to Jan 2022:
– EB-2: Filing Date did not change — late 2021 remains outside the filing window.
– EB-3: Filing Date expanded to Jan 22, 2022, which may allow some late 2021 / early Jan 2022 applicants to file, if USCIS permits the Filing Date chart.
If your priority date is beyond Jan 22, 2022:
– Both categories: You remain outside the filing window in October. Continue to monitor monthly gains — October’s cautious steps suggest possible incremental gains but no guarantees.
Why this October movement is encouraging — and why caution still helps
Positive signals:
– Both categories advanced in Final Action (EB-2 by ~3.5 months, EB-3 by ~2.5 months).
– EB-3’s Filing Date nudged forward, widening filing eligibility slightly.
Cautious design:
– Holding EB-2 Filing Dates steady and only slightly moving EB-3 Filing Dates indicates the State Department aims to prevent an influx that could overwhelm processing or trigger retrogression.
Practical takeaway:
– If newly current for Final Action or Filing, act to take advantage of the change. If not yet eligible, use October as a baseline for FY 2026 expectations and watch for steady, incremental changes.
Key takeaway: October 2025 sends a cautiously optimistic signal for China EB-2 and EB-3. Continued progress is possible if demand remains manageable; stagnation or retrogression could occur if filings surge. Planning month by month — and adjusting to new data as it arrives — is the most reliable path forward.
Where to get clear, trusted guidance as cutoffs evolve
- Official monthly cutoffs and policy notes: U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin.
- Plain-English explanations, decision frameworks, and strategy: VisaVerge.com. At VisaVerge we break down movements, clarify Final Action vs Filing, and help you plan whether to file now or wait strategically.
Comprehensive conclusion and next steps
- What changed from September → October 2025:
- EB-2 China Final Action moved from Dec 15, 2020 → Apr 1, 2021 (~3.5 months); Filing remained Dec 1, 2021.
- EB-3 China Final Action moved from Dec 20, 2020 → Mar 1, 2021 (~2.5 months); Filing moved from Jan 1, 2022 → Jan 22, 2022 (+21 days).
- What it means:
- EB-2 reclaimed a slight lead on Final Action, unlocking approvals for early‑2021 priority dates.
- EB-3 slightly widened the filing window, helping some applicants enter the queue earlier if USCIS permits.
- How to act:
- If current under Final Action: prepare for completion steps now.
- If you meet Filing Dates and USCIS allows them: file promptly to secure a place in the queue.
- If neither applies: monitor October as the FY 2026 baseline and track monthly changes.
When you need clarity on how the China EB-2 and EB-3 October 2025 shifts apply to your exact situation, VisaVerge.com is available to help with precise, month-by-month guidance. Explore practical insights and step-by-step planning support at VisaVerge.com, where we help you navigate every movement with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
This Article in a Nutshell
The October 2025 Visa Bulletin opened Fiscal Year 2026 with cautious forward movement for China EB-2 and EB-3. EB-2 China’s Final Action Date advanced from December 15, 2020 to April 1, 2021 (≈3.5 months) while its Filing Date remained December 1, 2021. EB-3 China advanced from December 20, 2020 to March 1, 2021 (≈2.5 months) and its Filing Date moved from January 1, 2022 to January 22, 2022. These adjustments mean many early‑2021 priority dates became current for Final Action, allowing approvals if requirements are met. EB-3 slightly expanded filing eligibility if USCIS adopts the Filing Dates chart. The State Department’s measured approach seeks to balance demand and reduce the risk of mid‑year retrogression. Applicants should check category and priority dates, consult both Visa Bulletin charts monthly, prepare documentation for adjudication if current, and consider strategic moves only when clear long-term benefits exist.
