Key Takeaways
• August 2025 Visa Bulletin sets EB-3 India Final Action Date at May 22, 2013, for green card approvals.
• High EB-3 demand may cause further retrogression or Category Unavailability as soon as September 2025.
• Applicants must monitor USCIS guidance for Dates for Filing to submit documents if priority dates qualify.
The United States Department of State has released the August 2025 Visa Bulletin, providing updated priority date cutoffs for employment-based and family-sponsored immigrant visas. This bulletin is especially important for Indian nationals waiting in the EB-3 category, as it determines when applicants can move forward with their green card process. The new cutoff dates, retrogressions, and ongoing high demand have major effects on thousands of families and employers across the United States 🇺🇸.
Key Details for EB-3 India in the August 2025 Visa Bulletin
For August 2025, the Final Action Date for EB-3 (Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers) applicants from India is May 22, 2013. This means only those with a priority date earlier than May 22, 2013, are eligible for final green card approval this month. The Date for Filing for EB-3 India is June 8, 2013. Applicants with a priority date before this date may submit required documents to the National Visa Center if the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) allows use of the Dates for Filing chart.
What This Means for EB-3 India Applicants
- Final Action Date (May 22, 2013): Only applicants with a priority date before this date can receive green card approval in August 2025.
- Date for Filing (June 8, 2013): Applicants with a priority date before this date may be able to submit documents and start the final steps, depending on USCIS guidance.
- High Demand and Retrogression: The bulletin warns that high demand in the EB-3 category may lead to further retrogression (moving the cutoff date backward) or even making the category “Unavailable” in September 2025 or sooner.
How The Visa Bulletin Works
The Visa Bulletin, published monthly by the United States Department of State, controls the pace at which green cards are issued in categories where demand exceeds supply. Each month, it lists two key dates for each visa category and country:
- Final Action Date: The cutoff for when green cards can actually be issued.
- Date for Filing: The earliest date when applicants can submit documents to start the final processing stage.
If a category is marked “C” (current), all qualified applicants can move forward regardless of their priority date. If a category is “U” (unauthorized or unavailable), no green cards can be issued that month.
Why Are There Cutoff Dates?
U.S. immigration law sets annual limits on the number of green cards issued in each category and for each country. For employment-based categories, the worldwide limit is at least 140,000 per year. No single country can receive more than 7% of the total, which is 25,620 green cards per year. When demand from a country like India exceeds this limit, the United States Department of State uses cutoff dates to manage the queue.
How Are Priority Dates Set?
A priority date is the day the U.S. government receives the first step of your green card application (usually the PERM labor certification or Form I-140 for employment-based cases). Green cards are issued in order of these dates. If your priority date is earlier than the listed cutoff, you can move forward. If not, you must wait for your date to become current.
Why Is the EB-3 India Wait So Long?
India has a very high demand for employment-based green cards, especially in the EB-2 and EB-3 categories. Because of the 7% per-country cap, Indian applicants face much longer waits than those from other countries. As reported by VisaVerge.com, these long backlogs mean some applicants wait over a decade for their green card.
Recent Trends and Warnings in the August 2025 Visa Bulletin
The August 2025 Visa Bulletin highlights several important trends:
- EB-3 and Other Workers: Demand remains high, and the number of green cards issued is close to the annual limit. The bulletin warns that it may be necessary to retrogress the final action dates or make the category “Unavailable” in September 2025 or sooner.
- EB-2 Rest of World Retrogression: Due to increased demand, the EB-2 category for countries other than India and China has retrogressed, meaning the cutoff date has moved backward.
- EB-5 Unreserved for India: The final action date for EB-5 Unreserved has advanced because unused family-sponsored numbers can be used in this category, helping some Indian applicants.
What Should EB-3 India Applicants Do Now?
If your priority date is before May 22, 2013, you can move forward with your green card application in August 2025. If your date is between May 22, 2013 and June 8, 2013, you may be able to submit documents if USCIS allows use of the Dates for Filing chart. Check the USCIS Visa Bulletin page each month to see which chart is in use.
Steps for Applicants:
- Check Your Priority Date: Find your priority date on your I-140 approval notice or labor certification.
- Compare with the Visa Bulletin: Look at the EB-3 India row for both Final Action Date and Date for Filing.
- Follow USCIS Guidance: Each month, USCIS announces which chart (Final Action or Dates for Filing) can be used for adjustment of status applications.
- Prepare Documents: If your date is current, gather all required documents and be ready to respond quickly to requests from the National Visa Center or USCIS.
- Stay Informed: Monitor the Visa Bulletin every month for changes, as dates can move forward, stay the same, or retrogress.
How Employers Are Affected
Employers who sponsor Indian workers for green cards in the EB-3 category face long delays in bringing talent to permanent status. This can impact workforce planning, retention, and the ability to fill key roles. Some employers may consider sponsoring workers in other categories, such as EB-1 (for those with extraordinary ability or multinational managers) or EB-2 (for advanced degree holders), but these categories also face backlogs for India.
Family Impacts
Long waits for green cards affect not just the main applicant but also their spouse and children. Children who turn 21 before the family receives green cards may “age out” and lose eligibility. The Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) can help in some cases, but families must plan carefully.
What Causes Retrogression and Unavailability?
Retrogression happens when the number of green cards issued in a category approaches the annual limit. The United States Department of State then moves the cutoff date backward to slow down approvals. If the limit is reached, the category becomes “Unavailable,” and no more green cards can be issued until the next fiscal year.
Diversity Visa (DV) Program Updates
The August 2025 Visa Bulletin also covers the Diversity Visa (DV) program, which offers up to 55,000 green cards each year to people from countries with low immigration to the United States 🇺🇸. For DV-2025, the annual limit is reduced to about 52,000 due to special allocations. Applicants must complete the process by September 30, 2025, or lose eligibility.
Special Notes for Other Categories
- EB-5 Investors: The bulletin notes changes in the EB-5 Unreserved category for China and India, with some advancement in cutoff dates due to unused numbers from other categories.
- Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs): The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 may affect some government employees and their families applying for SIVs. Applicants should contact the consular section where they filed Form DS-1884 for more information.
Official Resources and Where to Find More Information
For the most current information on visa processing and cutoff dates, always refer to the Bureau of Consular Affairs website. This is the official source for the Visa Bulletin and related updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What if my priority date is after the cutoff?
A: You must wait until your date becomes current in a future Visa Bulletin. Keep checking each month.
Q: Can the cutoff date move forward?
A: Yes, if demand drops or more green cards become available, the cutoff date can advance. However, it can also retrogress if demand is high.
Q: What happens if the category becomes “Unavailable”?
A: No green cards can be issued in that category until the start of the next fiscal year (October 1), unless the United States Department of State announces otherwise.
Q: How do I know which chart to use for adjustment of status?
A: Each month, USCIS posts guidance on its Visa Bulletin page about which chart to use.
Q: What is the impact of unused family-sponsored numbers?
A: Sometimes, unused green cards from family-sponsored categories can be used in employment-based categories, which can help advance cutoff dates in certain cases.
Looking Ahead: What to Expect for September 2025 and Beyond
The August 2025 Visa Bulletin warns that the EB-3 and Other Workers categories may face further retrogression or become “Unavailable” in September 2025. This means applicants should act quickly if their priority date is current. The situation is monitored closely, and the United States Department of State will make adjustments as needed.
Practical Tips for Applicants and Employers
- Stay Organized: Keep all immigration documents in a safe place and be ready to respond to requests from USCIS or the National Visa Center.
- Consult with Experts: Immigration law is complex, and small mistakes can cause big delays. Consider working with a trusted immigration attorney.
- Plan for Delays: Understand that long waits are common, especially for Indian applicants in the EB-3 category.
- Monitor Changes: The Visa Bulletin can change each month. Sign up for alerts or check the official website regularly.
Conclusion
The August 2025 Visa Bulletin from the United States Department of State brings both hope and challenges for EB-3 India applicants. With the Final Action Date set at May 22, 2013, only a small group can move forward this month, while many others must keep waiting. High demand and strict annual limits mean the backlog will likely continue, and further retrogression is possible. Staying informed, acting quickly when eligible, and seeking expert help are the best ways to manage this long and often stressful process.
For the latest updates and detailed analysis, VisaVerge.com reports that keeping a close eye on the monthly Visa Bulletin and official government resources is essential for anyone affected by these changes.
Learn Today
Visa Bulletin → Monthly publication by the U.S. State Department listing visa priority date cutoffs for immigrants.
Final Action Date → Cutoff date when green cards can be approved and issued to eligible applicants.
Date for Filing → Earliest date eligible applicants can submit documents to start the final visa processing stage.
Priority Date → Date when the first step of a visa petition is filed, determining an applicant’s queue position.
Retrogression → Backward movement of cutoff dates due to visa demand exceeding the annual supply limit.
This Article in a Nutshell
The August 2025 Visa Bulletin revealed key EB-3 India cutoff dates, highlighting critical retrogression risks affecting thousands awaiting green cards. Candidates should track priority dates closely and prepare documents for swift submission to navigate ongoing high demand and potential category unavailability, reflecting the complex US immigration environment.
— By VisaVerge.com
