The U.S. Department of State has released the Visa Bulletin for September 2025, providing the latest information on the availability of immigrant visa numbers. This bulletin covers Final Action Dates (when a green card can be issued) and Dates for Filing (when you can submit your application) for both Family-Sponsored and Employment-Based categories, as well as updates for the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery.
Understanding the Visa Bulletin
- Final Action Dates → When the U.S. government can issue an immigrant visa or approve an adjustment of status application.
- Dates for Filing → When applicants can start submitting their documents to the National Visa Center (NVC) or USCIS.
- The cut-off dates are based on priority dates — the date your immigrant petition was filed.
If a category is marked C (Current), it means no waiting period—all qualified applicants can be processed. If marked U (Unavailable), no visas are available in that category.
📅 September 2025 Visa Bulletin
Interactive Tool for Checking Priority Dates
Family-Sponsored Preferences
These are immigrant visas based on family relationships with U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.
Final Action Dates – Family-Sponsored
| Category | All Chargeability Areas Except Listed | China Mainland-Born | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 (Unmarried Sons/Daughters of U.S. Citizens) | 15 JUL 2016 | 15 JUL 2016 | 15 JUL 2016 | 22 APR 2005 | 15 JUL 2012 |
| F2A (Spouses/Children of LPRs) | 01 SEP 2022 | 01 SEP 2022 | 01 SEP 2022 | 01 FEB 2022 | 01 SEP 2022 |
| F2B (Unmarried Adult Children of LPRs) | 15 OCT 2016 | 15 OCT 2016 | 15 OCT 2016 | 01 APR 2007 | 01 MAY 2012 |
| F3 (Married Sons/Daughters of U.S. Citizens) | 01 AUG 2011 | 01 AUG 2011 | 01 AUG 2011 | 01 FEB 2001 | 01 MAY 2004 |
| F4 (Siblings of U.S. Citizens) | 01 JAN 2008 | 01 JAN 2008 | 01 NOV 2006 | 15 MAR 2001 | 01 JAN 2006 |
Special F2A Rule for September:
- Exempt from per-country limit → All countries with priority dates before 01 FEB 2022.
- Subject to per-country limit → Priority dates between 01 FEB 2022 and 01 SEP 2022 (except Mexico).
- Mexico → All F2A numbers are exempt from per-country limits.
Dates for Filing – Family-Sponsored
| Category | All Chargeability Areas Except Listed | China Mainland-Born | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | 01 SEP 2017 | 01 SEP 2017 | 01 SEP 2017 | 01 JUN 2006 | 22 APR 2015 |
| F2A | 01 JUN 2025 | 01 JUN 2025 | 01 JUN 2025 | 01 JUN 2025 | 01 JUN 2025 |
| F2B | 01 JAN 2017 | 01 JAN 2017 | 01 JAN 2017 | 01 APR 2008 | 01 OCT 2013 |
| F3 | 22 JUL 2012 | 22 JUL 2012 | 22 JUL 2012 | 15 JUN 2001 | 01 MAY 2005 |
| F4 | 01 JAN 2009 | 01 JAN 2009 | 01 DEC 2006 | 30 APR 2001 | 01 JAN 2008 |
Employment-Based Preferences
These are visas based on employment qualifications.
Final Action Dates – Employment-Based
| Category | All Chargeability Areas Except Listed | China Mainland-Born | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 (Priority Workers) | C | 15 NOV 2022 | 15 FEB 2022 | C | C |
| EB-2 (Advanced Degree/Exceptional Ability) | 01 SEP 2023 | 15 DEC 2020 | 01 JAN 2013 | 01 SEP 2023 | 01 SEP 2023 |
| EB-3 (Skilled/Professional) | 01 APR 2023 | 01 DEC 2020 | 22 MAY 2013 | 01 APR 2023 | 08 FEB 2023 |
| Other Workers | 08 JUL 2021 | 01 MAY 2017 | 22 MAY 2013 | 08 JUL 2021 | 08 JUL 2021 |
| EB-4 (Special Immigrants) | U | U | U | U | U |
| Certain Religious Workers | U | U | U | U | U |
| EB-5 Unreserved | C | 08 DEC 2015 | 15 NOV 2019 | C | C |
| EB-5 Set Aside (Rural/High Unemployment/Infrastructure) | C | C | C | C | C |
Dates for Filing – Employment-Based
| Category | All Chargeability Areas Except Listed | China Mainland-Born | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | C | 01 JAN 2023 | 15 APR 2022 | C | C |
| EB-2 | 15 NOV 2023 | 01 JAN 2021 | 01 FEB 2013 | 15 NOV 2023 | 15 NOV 2023 |
| EB-3 | 01 MAY 2023 | 22 DEC 2020 | 08 JUN 2013 | 01 MAY 2023 | 01 MAY 2023 |
| Other Workers | 22 JUL 2021 | 01 JAN 2018 | 08 JUN 2013 | 22 JUL 2021 | 22 JUL 2021 |
| EB-4 | 01 FEB 2021 | 01 FEB 2021 | 01 FEB 2021 | 01 FEB 2021 | 01 FEB 2021 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 01 FEB 2021 | 01 FEB 2021 | 01 FEB 2021 | 01 FEB 2021 | 01 FEB 2021 |
| EB-5 Unreserved | C | 01 OCT 2016 | 01 APR 2022 | C | C |
Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery 2025
The DV-2025 program offers 52,056 visas this year (reduced from 55,000 due to NACARA and NDAA provisions).
- End Date: All DV-2025 applicants must receive visas before September 30, 2025.
- No carryover beyond this date.
September 2025 DV Cut-Offs
| Region | Cut-Off Number | 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 (Bahamas) | Current | — |
| Oceania | 1,775 | — |
| South America/Caribbean | 2,825 | — |
Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery 2026 – October 2025 Cut-Offs
| Region | Cut-Off Number | Exceptions |
|---|---|---|
| Africa | 17,500 | Algeria: 14,500; Egypt: 16,000 |
| Asia | 10,000 | Nepal: 6,000 |
| Europe | 7,750 | — |
| North America (Bahamas) | 20 | — |
| Oceania | 1,100 | — |
| South America/Caribbean | 1,850 | — |
Key Notes from the Visa Office
- Demand Increase: USCIS and State Department have seen a steady rise in demand for employment-based visas in FY-2025.
- Possible Unavailability: Some categories may become “unavailable” before the end of the fiscal year.
- Annual Numerical Limits FY-2025:
- Family-Sponsored: 226,000
- Employment-Based: 150,037
- Per-Country Limit: 26,323 (increased to 26,862 with carryover numbers)
Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs)
- The NDAA for FY-2024 introduced changes for certain U.S. Government employees abroad and their eligible family members.
- This does not apply to Iraqi and Afghan SIV applicants under SQ and SI categories.
USAFIS
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