October 2025 Visa Bulletin: India Gains in EB-2, EB-3 & F2A

(INDIA) The October 2025 US Visa Bulletin—the first release of the new fiscal year—delivers the strongest forward movement Indian green-card applicants have seen in months, with notable advances in the EB-2, EB-3, and family-sponsored categories and the reopening of EB-4 after a period of being unavailable. The State Department’s update moves several key priority dates ahead, which directly affects who can file and who can receive final approval for immigrant visas and adjustment of status. For many families and professionals, this bulletin offers real progress, even as the overall backlog and per‑country limits continue to slow the pace.

At the top of the employment-based list, EB-2 India advances the final action date from January 1, 2013 to April 1, 2013, a gain of three months, and the filing date shifts to December 1, 2013 from February 1, 2013. EB-3 India also sees a three‑month jump in final action—from May 22, 2013 to August 22, 2013—and a large leap in filing dates, now August 2014 instead of June 2013. The EB-5 (Unreserved) category posts a strong improvement too, with the final action date moving from November 15, 2019 to February 1, 2021, trimming the wait for investors. After months of “Unavailable,” EB-4 (Certain Special Immigrants) returns with a July 1, 2020 cutoff. On the family side, the biggest change comes in F2A, where the final action date moves to February 1, 2024—a jump from September 2022—and the filing date advances to September 22, 2025.

How the Bulletin Works (Quick Primer)

The US Visa Bulletin includes two key charts for most categories:

• Final Action Dates — when the government can approve a green card or issue an immigrant visa.
• Dates for Filing — when applicants can submit paperwork (e.g., adjustment of status or consular forms).

If your priority date (usually tied to labor certification or petition filing date) is earlier than the published cutoff, you may either file or be eligible for approval depending on which chart applies. In October, broader sets of Indian professionals under EB-2 and EB-3 can either file, or in some cases receive approvals, depending on USCIS’s choice of chart for filing that month.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these moves are especially helpful for long-waiting Indian applicants who had paused filing while dates were stuck for years.

Policy Changes Overview

Employment-based changes define the headline of this bulletin. Key movements include:

• EB-1 (India): Final action date remains February 15, 2022; filing date moves forward one year to April 15, 2023.
  • This allows a wider set of candidates to file adjustment packets (if USCIS accepts filing chart), even though final approvals wait on visa availability.
• EB-2 (India): Final action date advances to April 1, 2013; filing date shifts to December 1, 2013.
• EB-3 (India): Final action advances to August 22, 2013; filing date jumps to August 2014.
• EB-4 (Certain Special Immigrants): Reopens with a July 1, 2020 cutoff after being “Unavailable.”
  • Note: The Religious Worker subcategory within EB-4 remains Unavailable (U) for filing.
• EB-5 (Unreserved): Final action date improves to February 1, 2021, a significant movement compared with recent months.

Family-based highlights:

• F2A (spouses & children of permanent residents): Final action date moves to February 1, 2024; filing date to September 22, 2025.
• F1 (unmarried sons/daughters of U.S. citizens): Final action moves to November 8, 2016.
• F2B (unmarried sons/daughters, 21+, of permanent residents): Small increase (about one month).
• F3 (married sons/daughters of U.S. citizens): Small one‑month advance.
• F4 (siblings of U.S. citizens): Moves slightly to December 15, 2006.

These October movements align with historical patterns—fresh visa numbers at the start of the fiscal year often produce forward movement, though usually in small, cautious steps because demand remains high.

Impact on Applicants

Practical effects depend largely on two mechanisms:

1. Which chart USCIS authorizes for filing (Final Action vs Dates for Filing).
   • If USCIS uses Dates for Filing, more applicants can submit Form I-485 now and obtain interim benefits (work/travel authorization).
   • If USCIS uses Final Action Dates, only those current for final action can file or be approved.
2. For consular processing, decisions move according to Final Action Dates; the National Visa Center (NVC) may schedule interviews for cases now current.

Key takeaways:

• Advances in Dates for Filing for EB-2 and EB-3 would permit many Indian professionals to file adjustment packages while awaiting final action.
• The F2A shift can unlock faster filings and approvals for spouses and minor children of permanent residents.
• The bulletin does not guarantee immediate green cards—advancement only permits approvals where visa numbers are available.

Important Warnings and Structural Constraints

• Oversubscription: India’s lines remain oversubscribed; per‑country limits and worldwide numerical ceilings cap annual visa issuance.
• Retrogression risk: Strong forward movement in some months has historically been followed by flat periods or retrogression if demand outpaces supply.
• EB-4 Religious Worker filing remains Unavailable (U)—this still blocks new filings in that subcategory and affects religious organizations relying on this pathway.

Applicants should treat the October gains as opportunity, not resolution. Plan to act quickly when eligible, but be ready for limited movement later in the fiscal year.

Practical Steps (What Applicants Should Do Now)

1. Check your priority date against the October cutoffs in the official State Department posting:
   • State Department Visa Bulletin: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2026/visa-bulletin-for-october-2025.html
2. Watch for USCIS’s monthly announcement on which chart it will accept for filing in October. That determines whether expanded “Dates for Filing” apply.
3. If eligible to file adjustment:
   • Prepare Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) and supporting documents (medical exam, civil records, employment proof).
   • Form and instructions: https://www.uscis.gov/i-485
4. For consular processing:
   • Ensure the National Visa Center has all fees and civil documents.
   • Be ready to schedule medical exams and interviews when notified.
5. Employers and HR teams:
   • Expect higher filing volumes if Dates for Filing open; prepare medical exam coordination, corporate letters, and fast document assembly.

Category-by-Category Practical Notes

• EB-1 (India): Filing date moved to April 15, 2023—more high-skilled workers may file if USCIS allows.
• EB-2 (India): Final action April 1, 2013 — engineers, IT specialists, healthcare professionals with priority dates near this line may be able to file or receive approvals soon.
• EB-3 (India): Final action August 22, 2013; filing August 2014 — pulls in more mid‑2013 and 2014 priority dates.
• EB-4: Reopened to July 1, 2020 for final action, but Religious Workers still Unavailable for filing.
• EB-5 (Unreserved): Final action February 1, 2021 — meaningful relief for many investors waiting pre‑2021.
• F2A: Final action February 1, 2024 — significant relief for spouses and minor children of permanent residents.

Final Notes and Recommendations

• The October 2025 bulletin offers meaningful, if measured, forward movement in key Indian categories—especially EB-2, EB-3, EB-5 (Unreserved), and F2A—and reopens EB-4 for final action.
• Still, per‑country caps and the large underlying backlog mean long waits persist for many applicants.
• Recommended actions:
  • Confirm priority date against official bulletin.
  • Monitor USCIS’s filing chart decision for October.
  • Prepare documents in advance to act quickly if eligible.
  • Consult counsel or HR when considering strategy changes (e.g., EB-2 vs EB-3 switches).

For authoritative details, consult the State Department’s Visa Bulletin and USCIS guidance linked above and watch for the USCIS filing chart announcement that decides whether the expanded “Dates for Filing” will be usable inside the U.S. this month.