Reasons Behind August 2025 EB-2 Retrogression for Rest of World

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Key Takeaways

• August 2025 Visa Bulletin retrogresses EB-2 final action date for Rest of World countries.
• Retrogression delays green cards due to nearing annual EB-2 category limit and increased issuances in FY-2025.
• Applicants must monitor priority dates, respond to NVC requests, and consult legal advice promptly.

The United States Department of State has released the August 2025 Visa Bulletin, introducing important changes that directly affect many employment-based green card applicants, especially those in the EB-2 category from countries outside the main oversubscribed regions. This update explains what has changed, who is affected, the effective dates, what actions are required, and what these changes mean for pending and future applications.

Summary of What Changed

Reasons Behind August 2025 EB-2 Retrogression for Rest of World

The most significant update is the retrogression of the EB-2 category final action date for “Rest of World” countries—that is, all countries except China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines. Retrogression means the cutoff date for when green cards can be issued has moved backward, making it harder for many applicants to receive their green cards in the near future. This change is a direct response to a sharp increase in the number of EB-2 green cards issued this fiscal year, which has brought the category close to its annual limit.

Who Is Affected

EB-2 applicants from Rest of World countries: This includes all applicants in the EB-2 category who are not from China, India, Mexico, or the Philippines. These applicants now face a longer wait before their green card applications can be approved.
Employers sponsoring foreign workers: U.S. employers who have sponsored workers under the EB-2 category will see delays in the final approval of green cards for their employees.
Dependents (spouses and children): Family members included in the EB-2 application are also affected, as their green card approvals are tied to the principal applicant’s priority date.
Applicants with pending or soon-to-be-filed adjustment of status or immigrant visa applications: Those who have not yet reached the new cutoff date will not be able to move forward until their priority date becomes current again.

Effective Dates

The retrogression is effective for August 2025. The United States Department of State has stated that the annual limit for EB-2 green cards is likely to be reached sometime in August, if not sooner.
If the annual limit is reached before the end of August, the EB-2 category for Rest of World countries may become “unavailable” for the remainder of the fiscal year, which ends on September 30, 2025.

Required Actions for Applicants

If you are affected by this retrogression, here’s what you need to know and do:

Check your priority date: Your priority date is the date when your employer filed the labor certification or, if not required, the date when your Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker) was filed. Compare your priority date to the new final action date listed in the August 2025 Visa Bulletin.
Monitor the Visa Bulletin: The United States Department of State updates the Visa Bulletin monthly. You can find the latest information and charts at the official Visa Bulletin page.
Wait for your priority date to become current: If your priority date is after the new cutoff, you must wait until it becomes current again before your green card application can be approved.
Respond promptly to National Visa Center (NVC) requests: If you receive a notice from the National Visa Center asking for documents, respond quickly to avoid further delays.
Consult with your immigration attorney or employer: If you have questions about your specific case, discuss your options with your legal representative or employer’s HR department.

Implications for Pending Applications

The retrogression in the EB-2 category for Rest of World countries has several important implications:

Delays in green card approvals: Applicants whose priority dates are no longer current will not receive final approval of their green cards until the cutoff date moves forward again.
Adjustment of status applications: If you are in the United States 🇺🇸 and have filed Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status), your application will remain pending until your priority date is current. You can check the official Form I-485 page for more details.
Consular processing: If you are outside the United States 🇺🇸 and waiting for an immigrant visa interview, your case will not move forward at the U.S. embassy or consulate until your priority date is current.
Work and travel authorization: If you have a pending adjustment of status application, you may still be eligible for work (EAD) and travel (Advance Parole) documents while you wait, but you will not receive your green card until your priority date is current.

Why Did This Retrogression Happen?

According to the United States Department of State, the main reason for the retrogression is a rapid increase in the number of EB-2 green cards issued this fiscal year. The annual worldwide limit for employment-based green cards is set by law at at least 140,000. Each country can receive up to 7% of the total annual limit for both family-sponsored and employment-based green cards. When demand in a category exceeds the available supply, the Department of State must move the cutoff date backward to slow down the number of green cards issued.

For the EB-2 category, the issuance total is rapidly approaching the annual limit for FY-2025. To avoid exceeding the legal cap, the Department of State has retrogressed the final action date for Rest of World countries. If the limit is reached, the category may become “unavailable,” meaning no more green cards can be issued in that category until the next fiscal year begins on October 1, 2025.

How Are Final Action Dates Determined?

The Department of State and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) work together to track the number of green cards issued and the number of pending applications. Each month, consular officers and USCIS report the number of qualified applicants. The Department of State then sets the final action dates based on the available supply and demand.

Oversubscribed categories: If there are more applicants than available green cards, the category is considered “oversubscribed,” and a cutoff date is set.
Retrogression: If demand is higher than expected, the cutoff date may move backward (retrogress) to slow down the issuance rate.
Unavailable status: If the annual limit is reached, the category becomes “unavailable,” and no more green cards can be issued until the next fiscal year.

What About Other Employment-Based Categories?

The August 2025 Visa Bulletin also warns that other employment-based categories, such as EB-3 (Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers), are experiencing high demand and may also face retrogression or become unavailable in September 2025. Applicants in these categories should closely monitor future Visa Bulletins for updates.

Special Notes on EB-5 and Other Categories

EB-5 Unreserved for China and India: The final action dates for EB-5 Unreserved have advanced for China and India due to lower-than-expected demand and the availability of unused family-sponsored numbers that can be used in the employment-based categories.
Diversity Visa (DV) Program: The annual limit for the DV-2025 program has been reduced to about 52,000 due to legislative changes and the allocation of some visas to other programs. DV applicants must complete their process by September 30, 2025, or risk losing eligibility.

What Should Applicants Do Now?

If you are affected by the EB-2 retrogression or are in another employment-based category at risk of retrogression, here are practical steps to take:

Stay informed: Regularly check the Visa Bulletin and the USCIS Visa Bulletin Information page for the latest updates.
Prepare documents: Gather and organize all required documents so you can respond quickly if your priority date becomes current.
Respond to NVC requests: If you receive a request from the National Visa Center, reply as soon as possible to avoid delays.
Maintain valid status: If you are in the United States 🇺🇸, make sure you keep your current visa or status valid while waiting for your green card.
Consult with professionals: If you have questions or concerns, talk to your immigration attorney or your employer’s HR department for guidance.

Key Points to Remember

Retrogression is not permanent: Cutoff dates can move forward again in future Visa Bulletins, especially when a new fiscal year begins and new green card numbers become available.
Pending applications are not lost: If your application is pending and your priority date is not current, your case will remain in line until your date becomes current again.
Family members are included: Spouses and children included in your EB-2 application are affected by the same cutoff date.
Monitor for further changes: The Department of State may make additional adjustments if demand continues to rise or if the annual limit is reached sooner than expected.

Official Resources and Further Reading

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to official government sources:

Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that retrogressions like this are becoming more common as demand for employment-based green cards grows worldwide. Applicants should be prepared for possible delays and stay proactive in following official updates.

Conclusion and Next Steps

The retrogression of the EB-2 category for Rest of World countries in August 2025 is a significant development for many green card applicants and their families. While this change brings delays and uncertainty, it is a routine part of the U.S. immigration system’s way of managing limited green card numbers each year. By staying informed, responding quickly to requests from the National Visa Center, and keeping your documents ready, you can be prepared to move forward as soon as your priority date becomes current again.

If you are waiting for your green card in the EB-2 category or any other employment-based category, continue to monitor the Visa Bulletin and consult with your legal or employer representatives for the best course of action. For more details and the latest updates, visit the U.S. Department of State’s Visa Bulletin page.

Staying proactive and informed is the best way to handle these changes and keep your immigration journey on track.

Learn Today

EB-2 category → An employment-based visa classification for professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional abilities.
Retrogression → A backward movement of final action dates, delaying green card approvals due to visa number limits.
Priority Date → The date when the applicant’s labor certification or I-140 petition was filed, determining visa queue order.
National Visa Center (NVC) → U.S. agency that processes immigrant visa documentation after Department of State approval.
Adjustment of Status → The process for applicants inside the U.S. to apply for permanent resident status without consular processing.

This Article in a Nutshell

The August 2025 Visa Bulletin retrogressed EB-2 Rest of World final action dates, causing delays for many employment-based applicants due to high visa demand. Applicants must check priority dates and prepare documents while awaiting priority dates to become current again amid limited green card availability.
— By VisaVerge.com