Key Takeaways
• EB-2 India priority dates advanced to December 1, 2012, and EB-3 India progressed to February 1, 2013, in March 2025.
• USCIS will accept adjustment of status applications starting March 1, 2025, for cases meeting updated March Visa Bulletin cutoff dates.
• The I-485 processing time averages 11.5 months, while PERM labor certification takes 18-24 months, delaying the green card process.
The March 2025 Visa Bulletin offers promising news for many immigration applicants, particularly those in the Employment-Based Second Preference (EB-2) and Third Preference (EB-3) categories. The bulletin reveals advancements in priority dates, bringing meaningful progress for individuals waiting to file their adjustment of status applications.
For EB-2 categories, the final action dates have seen notable progress. EB-2 India has advanced by six weeks, moving from October 15, 2012, to December 1, 2012. This is encouraging for individuals who have been waiting for their turn to take the next step toward their green card. Similarly, applicants from all other countries, excluding China, will see their priority dates advance from April 1, 2023, to May 15, 2023. Meanwhile, EB-2 China reflects slower momentum but still reports progress, with a two-week jump from April 22, 2020, to May 8, 2020. For many EB-2 applicants globally, this movement signals new opportunities.
The EB-3 category is showing forward movement as well. For EB-3 India, the final action dates have advanced by six weeks, shifting from December 15, 2012, to February 1, 2013. Likewise, EB-3 China priority dates have progressed by one month, from July 1, 2020, to August 1, 2020. These changes will allow many professionals, including skilled workers and those with advanced degrees, to potentially file their adjustment of status applications to continue their green card process. These advancements are also pivotal for reducing the long wait times that applicants from India and China face due to high demand.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that adjustment of status applications based on these updated final action dates will be accepted from March 1, 2025. This means individuals whose priority dates fall earlier than the deadlines mentioned in the Visa Bulletin can now file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. For those who are eligible, this step brings them closer to obtaining permanent residency, although it is important to keep in mind that filing an I-485 does not guarantee immediate green card approval.
For EB-2 India applicants, advancing to December 1, 2012, represents a meaningful step forward. Many individuals in this category have waited over a decade, and this movement offers a new opportunity for them to take essential steps in their green card process. Similarly, EB-3 India’s move to February 1, 2013, paves the way for applicants who have also been in line for years. For countries not experiencing the same backlogs as India or China, the six-week advancement to May 15, 2023, in the EB-2 category provides newer applicants with chances to submit their adjustment of status applications much earlier in their journey.
However, advancing the priority date represents just one chapter of a longer story. While eligible applicants can submit their adjustment of status forms or apply for an immigrant visa through consular processing, the USCIS processing timelines for such cases vary. The average USCIS processing time for Form I-485 for employment-based applications as of February 2025 is about 11.5 months. Yet the actual time to complete the process depends on various factors, such as the USCIS office or service center handling the case, the complexity of the applicant’s situation, and whether additional information or verification is required.
When considering the steps required for employment-based green cards, applicants are reminded that each stage takes time. For those applying under EB-2 and EB-3 categories, where PERM labor certifications are mandated, the process is lengthy. PERM certifications, which demonstrate a lack of available U.S. workers for the requested position, can take between 18-24 months to complete. Only after obtaining a PERM certification can applicants file Form I-140, the Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, which is a prerequisite before the I-485 can be filed. As of February 2025, the average processing time for the I-140 is about 7.6 months, though premium processing can shorten this window to 15 days. Applicants using the EB-2 National Interest Waiver or EB-1 categories with multinational manager designations can also opt for premium processing, though in these cases, processing may take up to 45 business days.
Keeping track of Visa Bulletin movement is especially important for applicants from India and China, where the backlog of green card applications is substantial. As of March 2025, EB-2 India priority dates are current for applicants with priority dates on or before December 1, 2012. For EB-2 China, the cutoff is May 8, 2020. In contrast, EB-2 applicants from most other countries can file adjustment of status applications if their cases have priority dates earlier than May 15, 2023.
The EB-3 Other Workers category also sees notable advancements in the March 2025 Visa Bulletin. EB-3 Other Workers for India will move ahead by nearly seven weeks, progressing to February 1, 2013. For the Philippines, the priority date advances by five weeks to January 15, 2021. Meanwhile, applicants from all other countries in this category will experience a two-month increase, with priority dates advancing to February 1, 2021. As this category usually experiences slower movement than the EB-3 Professional category, these changes are worth highlighting for those pursuing opportunities under this designation.
Outside the EB-2 and EB-3 categories, the March 2025 Visa Bulletin brings updates to the Diversity Visa (DV) program. The cutoff numbers for the DV-2025 program have increased across all regions, allowing more selectees to move forward in the green card process during March. For example, Africa’s cutoff number increased to 25,000, Asia’s to 6,000, Europe’s to 13,000, and South America and the Caribbean’s to 1,800. These changes offer expanded opportunities for individuals from underrepresented regions to access immigrant visa processing.
While there is great optimism surrounding these advancements, applicants should remain aware of the complexities involved in the process. Moving forward in the Visa Bulletin does not always assure consistent improvements month over month. Retrogression – where priority dates move backward – or stagnation of dates can occur depending on visa demand, country-specific caps, and processing abilities of agencies like the USCIS or Department of State. For the time being, these advancements represent progress for many, but future movements remain unpredictable.
It’s vital for applicants to stay informed, keep track of updates, and prepare their documents as soon as their dates become current. This is especially important for applicants in oversubscribed categories like EB-2 and EB-3 India and China, where demand remains high. As reported by VisaVerge.com, these changes highlight the value of timely updates and thorough understanding of one’s green card journey.
In conclusion, the March 2025 Visa Bulletin offers hope with forward movement in both EB-2 and EB-3 categories. While the advancements improve the ability of many applicants to file their adjustment of status applications, the journey to obtaining permanent residency is far from instant. By staying updated with the Visa Bulletin and understanding each step’s requirements and challenges, applicants can navigate their path more effectively. To review official information on filing Form I-485 or other green card procedures, visit the USCIS adjustment of status page at https://www.uscis.gov/i-485.
Learn Today
Visa Bulletin → A monthly publication by the U.S. Department of State outlining the availability of immigrant visa numbers by category and country.
Priority Date → The date when an immigration-related petition or application is filed, which determines an applicant’s place in the visa queue.
Adjustment of Status → A process allowing eligible individuals in the U.S. to apply for permanent residency without returning to their home country.
PERM Certification → A labor certification process demonstrating that no qualified U.S. workers are available for a job offered to a foreign worker.
Retrogression → A backward movement of priority dates in the Visa Bulletin, delaying visa or green card eligibility due to high demand.
This Article in a Nutshell
The March 2025 Visa Bulletin brings long-awaited progress for EB-2 and EB-3 applicants, especially from India and China. Priority date advancements create opportunities to file adjustment of status applications. However, green card processing remains lengthy, with PERM, I-140, and I-485 steps involved. Staying informed ensures applicants are ready for each milestone.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
• US Halts EB-3 Visas Amid Nurse Shortages
• EB-3 Green Card: Your Top Questions Answered
• EB-3 vs DV Visa Comparison Guide: Understanding the Differences
• EB-2 vs EB-3 Visa Comparison Guide: Key Differences Explained
• EB-1 vs EB-3 Visa: Key Differences and Comparison for Immigrants
