September 2025 Visa Bulletin Predictions: Family and Employment Trends

September 2025 Visa Bulletin Predictions

As the United States Department of State prepares to release the September 2025 Visa Bulletin, many families, workers, and diversity visa applicants are watching closely. The Visa Bulletin is a monthly publication that tells people when they can move forward with their green card applications based on their category and country of birth. By looking at the July and August 2025 Visa Bulletins, we can make informed predictions about what to expect in September 2025. This guide will explain who is affected, what changes may happen, and how applicants can prepare for the next steps.

Understanding the Visa Bulletin: Who Qualifies and Why It Matters

The Visa Bulletin is important for anyone applying for a green card through family, employment, or the Diversity Visa (DV) lottery. It shows two main charts for each category:

• Final Action Dates: When a green card can actually be issued.
• Dates for Filing: When applicants can send in their paperwork to the National Visa Center.

Applicants must check these dates to know when they can move forward. The United States Department of State updates these charts every month, and the National Visa Center uses them to notify applicants when to submit documents.

Who is affected?
– Family-sponsored immigrants: People sponsored by relatives who are U.S. citizens or green card holders.
– Employment-based immigrants: Workers sponsored by U.S. employers or investing in the U.S. economy.
– Diversity Visa (DV) lottery winners: People selected in the annual lottery for countries with low immigration to the United States 🇺🇸.

Why does the Visa Bulletin change?
There are yearly limits on how many green cards can be given out in each category and for each country. When demand is high, some categories become “oversubscribed,” and waiting times grow longer. The Visa Bulletin manages these limits by setting cut-off dates.

Family-Sponsored Final Action Dates – Predictions (September 2025)

Family-Sponsored Dates for Filing – Predictions (September 2025)

Employment-Based Final Action Dates – Predictions (September 2025)

Diversity Visa (DV-2025) Cutoff Numbers – September 2025 (Predicted/As Published)

Key Trends from July and August 2025

To predict what will happen in September, we need to look at the patterns from July and August.

Family-Sponsored Preferences
– F1 (Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens): The cut-off dates have not moved for most countries, with long waits for Mexico and the Philippines.
– F2A (Spouses and children of green card holders): Remains current for filing, but final action dates are slowly moving forward.
– F2B (Unmarried adult children of green card holders): Little to no movement, especially for Mexico and the Philippines.
– F3 (Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens): No significant movement; Mexico and the Philippines still have the longest waits.
– F4 (Brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens): Stagnant, with Mexico and the Philippines facing the longest delays.

Employment-Based Preferences
– EB-1 (Priority workers): Remains current for most countries, but China and India have earlier cut-off dates.
– EB-2 (Advanced degree professionals and exceptional ability): Retrogression (moving backward) for Rest of World, China, and India due to high demand.
– EB-3 (Skilled workers and professionals): High demand, with possible retrogression or unavailability in September.
– Other Workers: Annual limit reduced due to NACARA, with possible unavailability.
– EB-4 (Certain special immigrants): Unavailable for all countries.
– EB-5 (Investors): Unreserved category advanced for China and India in August, but could become unavailable if limits are reached.

Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery
– Cut-off numbers increased each month, but the annual limit is shrinking due to NACARA and the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
– DV-2025 program ends September 30, 2025. No visas can be issued after that date.

Predictions for September 2025 Visa Bulletin

Based on the trends and official notes from the July and August bulletins, here’s what applicants can expect for September 2025:

Family-Sponsored Categories

1. F1, F2B, F3, F4 (All Countries)
– Minimal or no forward movement: The cut-off dates for these categories have not changed much in recent months. High demand, especially from Mexico and the Philippines, means long waits will continue.
– F2A: Likely to remain current for filing, but final action dates may not move much. Applicants from Mexico may see little change.

Example: A U.S. citizen sponsoring a married son from India will likely face the same wait time in September as in August, unless there is a sudden drop in demand.

Practical Tip: Applicants should keep their documents ready and respond quickly to any requests from the National Visa Center. Delays in paperwork can mean missing a chance if the category becomes current.

Employment-Based Categories

1. EB-1 (Priority Workers)
– China and India: Cut-off dates may not advance due to high demand.
– Rest of World: Likely to remain current, but any surge in applications could cause retrogression.

2. EB-2 (Advanced Degree Professionals and Exceptional Ability)
– Rest of World: Retrogression already happened in August. The category may become “unavailable” if the annual limit is reached before the end of September.
– China and India: No forward movement expected. If demand stays high, the category could become unavailable.

3. EB-3 (Skilled Workers and Professionals)
– All Countries: The United States Department of State has warned that this category may retrogress or become unavailable in September due to high demand.
– Other Workers: The annual limit is already reduced, so this category could also become unavailable.

4. EB-4 (Certain Special Immigrants)
– All Countries: Remains unavailable. No change expected.

5. EB-5 (Investors)
– Unreserved Category: China and India saw advances in August, but if the annual limit is reached, the category will become unavailable.
– Set-Asides (Rural, High Unemployment, Infrastructure): Likely to remain current, as demand is lower.

Example: An Indian professional with an approved EB-2 petition may not be able to get a green card in September if the category becomes unavailable. It’s important to check the Visa Bulletin as soon as it is released.

Practical Tip: Applicants should monitor the Visa Bulletin closely and be ready to act if their priority date becomes current. Employers should also keep in touch with their sponsored workers to ensure all paperwork is complete.

Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery

• Annual limit is about 52,000 for DV-2025 due to NACARA and NDAA reductions.
• Cut-off numbers will increase in September, but the program ends September 30, 2025. No DV-2025 visas can be issued after that date.
• Applicants with high lottery numbers may not get a visa if the limit is reached before their number is called.

Example: A DV-2025 winner from Africa with a rank number just below the September cut-off should act quickly to complete the process before the fiscal year ends.

Practical Tip: DV winners must finish all steps, including interviews and medical exams, before September 30. If the visa is not issued by then, the chance is lost.

Special Notes and Warnings

Retrogression and Unavailability
– The United States Department of State has clearly warned that some categories may become “unavailable” in September if the annual limits are reached. This means no more green cards will be given in those categories until the new fiscal year starts in October.
– Retrogression means the cut-off date moves backward, making fewer people eligible.

National Visa Center Role
– The National Visa Center will notify applicants when they can submit documents. Applicants should respond quickly to avoid missing their chance.
– If a category becomes unavailable after documents are submitted but before the green card is issued, the applicant must wait until the new fiscal year.

Diversity Visa Deadline
– The DV-2025 program ends September 30, 2025. No exceptions are made, even if the applicant has already started the process.

Required Documentation and Official Links

Applicants must prepare the following documents:

• Approved petition (Form I-130 for family, Form I-140 for employment, or DV selection notice)
• Passport
• Birth certificate
• Police certificates
• Medical exam results
• Affidavit of Support (Form I-864 for family-based cases)
• Visa application forms (Form DS-260 for immigrant visas, Form I-485 for adjustment of status in the United States 🇺🇸)

Official Forms and Links:
– Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
– Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker
– Form DS-260, Immigrant Visa Application
– Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
– Form I-864, Affidavit of Support

For the latest information, always check the Bureau of Consular Affairs website.

Practical Tips for Meeting Requirements

• Check the Visa Bulletin every month: Dates can change quickly, especially near the end of the fiscal year.
• Keep documents up to date: Expired police certificates or medical exams can cause delays.
• Respond quickly to the National Visa Center: Missing a deadline can mean waiting another year.
• Work with your sponsor or employer: Make sure all forms are complete and accurate.
• For DV applicants: Schedule interviews and medical exams as soon as possible. Remember, the deadline is September 30.

What to Watch for in September 2025

• Possible unavailability in EB-2 and EB-3 categories: If the annual limits are reached, these categories will close until October.
• No change for EB-4: Remains unavailable.
• DV-2025 program ends: No visas after September 30, 2025.
• Family categories: Little to no movement, especially for Mexico and the Philippines.
• Set-aside EB-5 categories: Likely to remain current, but unreserved may close for China and India.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the end of the fiscal year often brings last-minute changes and surprises. Applicants should stay alert, check official sources, and be ready to act quickly.

Conclusion and Next Steps

The September 2025 Visa Bulletin will likely bring little movement for most family and employment categories, with some categories possibly becoming unavailable due to high demand. Diversity Visa applicants face a hard deadline of September 30. The best way to prepare is to keep documents ready, respond quickly to the National Visa Center, and check the Visa Bulletin as soon as it is released.

For more details and the latest updates, visit the official Visa Bulletin page. By staying informed and prepared, applicants can give themselves the best chance of success in this complex process.

Learn Today

Visa Bulletin → Monthly U.S. Department of State report indicating visa availability by category and country.
Final Action Dates → Dates when green cards can be issued based on visa availability and priority date.
Dates for Filing → Dates allowing applicants to submit paperwork ahead of green card issuance.
Retrogression → A visa cutoff date moving backward, delaying eligibility due to high demand or limits.
National Visa Center → U.S. agency coordinating immigrant visa processing and notifying applicants when to submit documents.

This Article in a Nutshell

The September 2025 Visa Bulletin predicts limited movement in most categories with possible visa unavailability in EB-2, EB-3, and final ending of the Diversity Visa program on September 30. Applicants should prepare documents, monitor dates, and respond promptly to the National Visa Center to avoid delays or missed opportunities.
— By VisaVerge.com