The April 2025 Visa Bulletin has been released, bringing key updates to employment-based immigration categories. This month’s bulletin reflects advancements in EB-2 and EB-3 for India and China, and retrogression in the EB-5 unreserved category for China and India. Additionally, USCIS continues to use Final Action Dates for adjustment of status applications. Below, we provide a detailed breakdown of the changes, key takeaways, and their implications for applicants.
Final Action Dates Movement: March 2025 to April 2025
| Category | Chargeability Area | March 2025 | April 2025 | Change |
| EB-1 | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | Current (C) | Current (C) | No change |
| China | 08NOV22 | 08NOV22 | No change | |
| India | 01FEB22 | 15FEB22 | Minor forward movement | |
| EB-2 | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | 15MAY23 | 22JUN23 | Forward movement |
| China | 08MAY20 | 01OCT20 | Forward movement | |
| India | 01DEC12 | 01JAN13 | Minor forward movement | |
| EB-3 | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | 01DEC22 | 01JAN23 | Forward movement |
| China | 01AUG20 | 01NOV20 | Forward movement | |
| India | 01FEB13 | 01APR13 | Forward movement | |
| Other Workers EB-3 | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | 01FEB21 | 22MAY21 | Minor forward movement |
| China | 01JAN17 | 01APR17 | Forward movement | |
| India | 01FEB13 | 01APR13 | Forward movement | |
| EB-5 | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | Current (C) | Current (C) | No change |
| China | 15JUL16 | 22JAN14
(retrogression) |
Retrogression | |
| India | 01JAN22 | 01NOV19
(retrogression) |
Retrogression |
Dates for Filing Movement: March 2025 to April 2025
| Category | Chargeability Area | February 2025 | March 2025 | Change |
| EB-1 | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | Current (C) | Current (C) | No change |
| China | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 | No change | |
| India | 15APR22 | 15APR22 | No change | |
| EB-2 | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | 01AUG23 | 01AUG23 | No change |
| China | 01OCT20 | 01NOV20 | Forward
movement |
|
| India | 01JAN13 | 01FEB13 | Forward movement | |
| EB-3 | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | 01MAR23 | 01MAR23 | No change |
| China | 15NOV20 | 01JAN21 | Forward movement | |
| India | 08JUN13 | 08JUN13 | No change | |
| Other Workers EB-3 | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | 22MAY21 | 22JUN21 | Forward movement |
| China | 01JAN18 | 01APR18 | Forward movement | |
| India | 01JUN13 | 08JUN13 | Minor forward movement | |
| EB-5 | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | Current (C) | Current (C) | No change |
| China | 01OCT16 | 01OCT16 | No change | |
| India | 01APR22 | 01APR22 | No change |
Key Takeaways from the March 2025 Visa Bulletin
- USCIS to Use Final Action Dates for Adjustment of Status: USCIS continues to use Final Action Dates for adjustment of status applications, meaning applicants can only file if their priority date is current in the Final Action Dates chart.
Notable Forward Movement in EB-2 and EB-3
- EB-2 India advanced from 01DEC12 to 01JAN13, and EB-2 China moved from 08MAY20 to 01OCT20.
- EB-3 India saw progress from 01FEB13 to 01APR13, while EB-3 China moved from 01AUG20 to 01NOV20.
- These changes suggest continued visa demand, but controlled movement to balance allocations.
EB-5 Retrogression for China and India
-
Due to high demand in EB-5 unreserved categories, the Final Action Date for China retrogressed from 15JUL16 to 22JAN14, while India retrogressed from 01JAN22 to 01NOV19.
-
The EB-5 set-aside categories (Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure) remain current (C), making them viable options for investors.
Steady Progress for Most Categories: Many Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing remained stable, reflecting an effort to maintain predictability for applicants.
What This Means for Applicants
File Immediately if Eligible Under Final Action Dates: If your priority date is current in the Final Action Dates chart, submit your adjustment of status application as soon as possible.
Retrogression in EB-5 Requires Reassessment
- Applicants from China and India in the unreserved EB-5 category must plan for extended wait times.
- Those eligible for set-aside categories (Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure) should consider filing before further changes occur.
Prepare for Potential Future Retrogressions: While EB-2 and EB-3 have advanced, the demand remains high, and future retrogressions may occur later in the fiscal year.