The U.S. Department of State has released the August 2025 Visa Bulletin, outlining the availability of family-sponsored, employment-based, and diversity immigrant visas. This article summarizes all key updates, focusing on final action dates, dates for filing, country-specific changes, and notable retrogressions or advances in the major visa categories.
1. Understanding the Visa Bulletin Structure
The visa bulletin is a monthly publication that tells applicants when they can file for their green cards (adjustment of status) and when their green cards can be approved (“Final Action”). These are summarized in two main charts for each category:
- Final Action Dates: When a green card can actually be issued.
- Dates for Filing: When you can begin submitting documentation and applications.
The bulletin also highlights when visa numbers for certain categories or countries are running low, which can lead to retrogression (moving cutoff dates backward) or making a category “unavailable.”
2. Family-Sponsored Preference Categories
There are four main family-based preference categories:
- F1: Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens
- F2A: Spouses and children of permanent residents
- F2B: Unmarried adult children (21+) of permanent residents
- F3: Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens
- F4: Siblings of adult U.S. citizens
A. Final Action Dates for Family-Sponsored Cases
| Category | All Chargeability Areas | China (Mainland) | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | 15JUL16 | 15JUL16 | 15JUL16 | 22APR05 | 15JUL12 |
| F2A | 01SEP22 | 01SEP22 | 01SEP22 | 01FEB22 | 01SEP22 |
| F2B | 15OCT16 | 15OCT16 | 15OCT16 | 01JAN07 | 15APR12 |
| F3 | 01AUG11 | 01AUG11 | 01AUG11 | 01FEB01 | 01DEC03 |
| F4 | 01JAN08 | 01JAN08 | 01NOV06 | 15MAR01 | 01JAN06 |
Key Observations:
- Mexico and Philippines continue to have the oldest (most retrogressed) priority dates.
- F2A (spouses/children of permanent residents) is relatively current compared to other categories.
- All other family categories for Mexico and the Philippines are still significantly backlogged.
B. Dates for Filing Family-Sponsored Applications
| Category | All Chargeability Areas | China (Mainland) | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 01JUN06 | 22APR15 |
| F2A | 01APR25 | 01APR25 | 01APR25 | 01APR25 | 01APR25 |
| F2B | 01JAN17 | 01JAN17 | 01JAN17 | 01APR08 | 01OCT13 |
| F3 | 22JUL12 | 22JUL12 | 22JUL12 | 15JUN01 | 01DEC04 |
| F4 | 01JAN09 | 01JAN09 | 01DEC06 | 30APR01 | 01JAN08 |
Note:
The “C” in charts means “current,” and applicants can file regardless of their priority date.
3. Employment-Based (EB) Preference Categories
There are five main EB categories:
- EB-1: Priority workers
- EB-2: Advanced degree holders/exceptional ability
- EB-3: Skilled workers/professionals/other workers
- EB-4: Certain special immigrants
- EB-5: Immigrant investors (with sub-categories for rural, high unemployment, and infrastructure projects)
A. Final Action Dates for Employment-Based Cases
| Category | All Chargeability Areas | China (Mainland) | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | C | 15NOV22 | 15FEB22 | C | C |
| EB-2 | 01SEP23 | 15DEC20 | 01JAN13 | 01SEP23 | 01SEP23 |
| EB-3 | 01APR23 | 01DEC20 | 22MAY13 | 01APR23 | 08FEB23 |
| Other Workers | 08JUL21 | 01MAY17 | 22MAY13 | 08JUL21 | 08JUL21 |
| EB-4 | U (unavailable) | U | U | U | U |
| EB-5 Unreserved | C | 08DEC15 | 15NOV19 | C | C |
| EB-5 Set Asides (Rural, High Unemployment, Infrastructure) | C | C | C | C | C |
Highlights:
- India remains severely retrogressed in EB-2 (Jan 2013) and EB-3 (May 2013).
- China is also retrogressed in EB-2 and EB-3.
- EB-1 is “current” for most countries but backlogged for India and China.
- EB-4 (Certain Special Immigrants) is unavailable globally.
- EB-5 (Unreserved) advanced for China and India, reflecting improved availability (see later notes for explanation).
B. Dates for Filing of Employment-Based Applications
| Category | All Chargeability | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | C | 01JAN23 | 15APR22 | C | C |
| EB-2 | 15NOV23 | 01JAN21 | 01FEB13 | 15NOV23 | 15NOV23 |
| EB-3 | 01MAY23 | 22DEC20 | 08JUN13 | 01MAY23 | 01MAY23 |
| Other Workers | 22JUL21 | 01JAN18 | 08JUN13 | 22JUL21 | 22JUL21 |
| EB-4 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 |
| EB-5 Unreserved | C | 01OCT16 | 01APR22 | C | C |
| EB-5 Set Asides | C | C | C | C | C |
4. Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery Category
The Diversity Visa program allocates about 52,000 visas for FY-2025 (reduced due to NACARA and NDAA adjustments). The bulletin lists the cut-off rank numbers by region, indicating the highest rank eligible to apply.
August 2025 Cut-Offs:
| Region | Cut-off | Notable Country Exceptions |
|---|---|---|
| Africa | 50,000 | Algeria: 49,950 Egypt: 43,250 Morocco: 40,500 |
| Asia | 11,000 | Iran: 10,650 Nepal: 10,650 |
| Europe | 22,000 | Russia: 21,950 Uzbekistan: 13,000 |
| North America | Current | (Bahamas) |
| Oceania | 1,700 | – |
| South America & Caribbean | 2,600 | – |
September 2025 Cut-Offs (Advance Notice):
| Region | Cut-off | Notable Country Exceptions |
|---|---|---|
| Africa | 58,500 | Algeria: 54,500 Egypt: 52,000 Morocco: 40,500 |
| Asia | 14,500 | Iran: 11,000 Nepal: 14,450 |
| Europe | 23,000 | Russia: 22,950 Uzbekistan: 15,000 |
| North America | Current | (Bahamas) |
| Oceania | 1,775 | – |
| South America & Caribbean | 2,825 | – |
Important:
- DV eligibility ends September 30, 2025 for all DV-2025 selectees. Unused visas cannot be carried over.
5. Special Notes and Warnings from the August 2025 Bulletin
- EB-2 (Rest of World) Retrogression:
Due to high demand, the final action date for EB-2 in Rest of World countries has retrogressed. The annual cap may be reached in August, after which the category will be “unavailable.” - EB-3 and Other Workers:
High demand may also force retrogression or “unavailability” for EB-3 and “Other Workers” in September. - EB-5 Unreserved (China & India):
- China: The final action date advanced after a slowdown in number usage.
- India: Also advanced, as unused family-sponsored numbers “fell down” to employment-based categories.
- EB-4 (Certain Special Immigrants):
Remains unavailable globally. - Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs):
New laws may affect U.S. Government employee SIV cases, but Iraq/Afghan SIVs are not impacted.
6. Key Takeaways
- India and China continue to face long waits, especially in EB-2, EB-3, and some family-based categories.
- EB-2 Rest of World: Significant retrogression, category could become unavailable soon.
- EB-3, Other Workers: High risk of cutoffs or unavailability in coming months.
- EB-5 Unreserved: Improvement for China and India due to under-utilization and rollover numbers.
- Diversity Visa: Final push—applicants must complete processing by September 30, 2025.
7. Helpful Resources
- USCIS Visa Bulletin Page: www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo
- U.S. Department of State: travel.state.gov
Conclusion
The August 2025 Visa Bulletin brings both good news (advances in some EB-5 categories) and challenges (notably, retrogression and potential unavailability in several employment-based categories). Applicants should monitor their priority dates closely and be ready to act quickly, especially if their category is close to “unavailable” status. The continued demand, particularly from India, China, Mexico, and the Philippines, means backlogs persist for many.
For the latest updates and case-specific advice, always check the official U.S. Department of State and USCIS websites.
