Published by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, the Visa Bulletin for July 2025 outlines the latest updates on immigrant visa availability for both family-sponsored and employment-based categories, as well as the Diversity Visa (DV) lottery. The bulletin reflects Final Action Dates (when visas can be issued) and Dates for Filing (when documents can be submitted). This ultra-detailed analysis ensures clarity, accuracy, and comprehensive interpretation of all released data.
SECTION A: STATUTORY NUMBERS FOR PREFERENCE IMMIGRANT VISAS
1. OVERVIEW
Immigrant visas are granted based on annual numerical limitations defined by law. The caps are distributed across preference categories and countries.
- Family-sponsored preferences (Section 203(a)): Limit of 226,000 for FY 2025
- Employment-based preferences (Section 203(b)): At least 140,000
- Per-country cap (Section 202): 7% of total preferences = 25,620
- Dependent area cap: 2% = 7,320
2. VISA ALLOCATION METHOD
Visas are allocated chronologically by priority date. For oversubscribed categories, visas are issued up to the cutoff date. If excess demand exists, the cutoff may retrogress. Once annual limits are exhausted, categories are marked as “unavailable (U)”.
3. BENEFICIARY RULES
Under Section 203(d), spouses and children of principal applicants share the same visa category and priority date. Section 202(e) applies prorating when specific countries exceed visa limits — currently affecting: China (mainland-born), India, Mexico, Philippines.
SECTION B: FAMILY-SPONSORED IMMIGRANT VISAS
1. FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CLASSES
| Code | Category Description |
|---|---|
| F1 | Unmarried sons/daughters of U.S. citizens |
| F2A | Spouses and children (under 21) of lawful permanent residents |
| F2B | Unmarried adult sons/daughters (21+) of lawful permanent residents |
| F3 | Married sons/daughters of U.S. citizens |
| F4 | Brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens |
2. FINAL ACTION DATES FOR FAMILY-SPONSORED CASES
This chart determines when green cards can be approved/issued.
| Preference | All Chargeability Areas | China | 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 | 08JUL06 | 15MAR01 | 01JAN06 |
- Mexico F2A cases are exempt from per-country limits.
- F2A worldwide subject-to-limit range is from 01FEB22 to 01SEP22.
3. DATES FOR FILING FAMILY-SPONSORED APPLICATIONS
This chart governs when to submit documents to begin the visa process.
| Preference | All Chargeability Areas | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 01JUN06 | 22APR15 |
| F2A | 01MAR25 | 01MAR25 | 01MAR25 | 01MAR25 | 01MAR25 |
| F2B | 01JAN17 | 01JAN17 | 01JAN17 | 01APR08 | 01OCT13 |
| F3 | 22JUL12 | 22JUL12 | 22JUL12 | 15JUN01 | 01DEC04 |
| F4 | 08SEP08 | 08SEP08 | 01DEC06 | 30APR01 | 01JAN08 |
SECTION C: EMPLOYMENT-BASED IMMIGRANT VISAS
1. EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CLASSES
| Code | Category Description |
|---|---|
| EB-1 | Priority workers (extraordinary ability, researchers, execs) |
| EB-2 | Advanced degrees or exceptional ability |
| EB-3 | Skilled workers, professionals, other workers |
| EB-4 | Certain special immigrants (religious workers, etc.) |
| EB-5 | Immigrant investors (job creation in U.S.) |
2. FINAL ACTION DATES FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED CASES
| Category | All Chargeability | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | C | 15NOV22 | 15FEB22 | C | C |
| EB-2 | 15OCT23 | 15DEC20 | 01JAN13 | 15OCT23 | 15OCT23 |
| EB-3 | 01APR23 | 01DEC20 | 22APR13 | 01APR23 | 08FEB23 |
| Other Workers | 08JUL21 | 01MAY17 | 22APR13 | 08JUL21 | 08JUL21 |
| EB-4 | U | U | U | U | U |
| Religious Wrk | U | U | U | U | U |
| EB-5 (Unresvd) | C | 22JAN14 | 01MAY19 | C | C |
| EB-5 (Set-As.) | C | C | C | C | C |
3. DATES FOR FILING 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/Religious | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 |
| EB-5 (Unresvd) | C | 01OCT16 | 01APR22 | C | C |
| EB-5 (Set-As.) | C | C | C | C | C |
SECTION D: DIVERSITY VISA (DV) PROGRAM – DV-2025
1. PROGRAM LIMITATIONS
- Annual cap: ~52,000 (after NACARA and NDAA deductions)
- Eligibility ends: September 30, 2025
- Once visa numbers run out, no more can be issued — even if before the deadline
2. JULY 2025 DV RANK CUT-OFFS
| Region | Cut-Off | Exceptions |
|---|---|---|
| Africa | 45,000 | Algeria: 44,950, Egypt: 40,000, Morocco: 34,500 |
| Asia | 9,000 | Iran & Nepal: 8,950 each |
| Europe | 19,000 | Russia: 18,950, Uzbekistan: 12,000 |
| North America | 20 | Bahamas only |
| Oceania | 1,650 | — |
| South America/Carib. | 2,450 | — |
3. AUGUST 2025 DV RANK CUT-OFFS
| Region | Cut-Off | Exceptions |
|---|---|---|
| Africa | 50,000 | Algeria: 49,950, Egypt: 43,250, Morocco: 40,500 |
| Asia | 11,000 | Iran & Nepal: 10,650 each |
| Europe | 22,000 | Russia: 21,950, Uzbekistan: 13,000 |
| North America | Current | Bahamas only |
| Oceania | 1,700 | — |
| South America/Carib. | 2,600 | — |
SECTION E: SPECIAL IMMIGRANT VISAS (SIVs)
As per the NDAA for FY 2024:
- May affect certain U.S. government employees abroad or their families
- Does NOT apply to Iraqi or Afghan SQ/SI visa applicants
- Affected individuals should contact their respective U.S. Consular Section if they filed Form DS-1884
SECTION F: FINAL REMINDERS
- Adjustment of Status Applicants: Check https://www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo for which chart (Final Action or Filing) USCIS allows for application submission this month.
- DV Visa Holders: Must complete visa issuance before September 30, 2025. Visa availability is not guaranteed until that date.
- Visa Bulletin Archives: For past issues and ongoing updates, refer to https://travel.state.gov
Issued by the U.S. Department of State – Publication 9514, CA/VO – Dated: June 3, 2025
