The June 2025 Visa Bulletin has been released by the U.S. Department of State (DOS). For this month, USCIS has confirmed that it will continue using the Final Action Dates chart for employment-based adjustment of status filings. While most categories remain unchanged, there is forward movement in the EB-2 and EB-3 categories, and a further retrogression in the EB-5 unreserved category for India.
Final Action Dates for Employment-Based Preference Cases
| Employment-based | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES | |
| 1st | C | 08NOV22 | 15FEB22 | C | C | |
| 2nd | 15OCT23 | 01DEC20 | 01JAN13 | 15OCT23 | 15OCT23 | |
| 3rd | 08FEB23 | 22NOV20 | 15APR13 | 08FEB23 | 08FEB23 | |
| Other Workers | 22JUN21 | 01APR17 | 15APR13 | 22JUN21 | 22JUN21 | |
| 4th | U | U | U | U | U | |
| Certain Religious Workers | U | U | U | U | U | |
| 5th Unreserved (includingC5, T5, I5, R5, NU, RU) |
C | 22JAN14 | 01MAY19 | C | C | |
| 5th Set Aside: Rural(20%, including NR, RR) |
C | C | C | C | C | |
| 5th Set Aside: High Unemployment (10%, including NH, RH) |
C | C | C | C | C | |
| 5th Set Aside: Infrastructure(2%, including RI) |
C | C | C | C | C |
Key Takeaways from June 2025 Visa Bulletin
- USCIS Will Continue Using Final Action Dates: For the month of June, applicants must reference the Final Action Dates chart to determine eligibility for filing Form I-485 with USCIS.
- Forward Movement in EB-2 and EB-3 India: The EB-2 category for India moved forward by approximately five months, advancing from January 1, 2013, to June 1, 2013. The EB-3 category for India also advanced from April 1, 2013, to May 15, 2013. This movement, while incremental, reflects continued efforts to accommodate demand in oversubscribed categories.
- EB-2 and EB-3 China Also Advance: EB-2 China advanced from October 1, 2020, to December 1, 2020. EB-3 China moved from November 1, 2020, to December 22, 2020. These adjustments indicate moderate demand relative to visa number availability.
- Further Retrogression in EB-5 Unreserved for India: The EB-5 unreserved category for India retrogressed again, moving from May 1, 2019, to January 1, 2019. This continues a multi-month trend of retrogressions, underscoring sustained high demand and visa usage. EB-5 unreserved for China remains unchanged at January 22, 2014.
- EB-5 Set-Asides Remain Current: All three EB-5 set-aside categories—Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure—remain Current (C) for all countries, providing a viable and strategic option for EB-5 investors seeking shorter timelines.
What This Means for Applicants
- EB-2/EB-3 India and China Applicants: As the U.S. federal fiscal year approaches its close on September 30, the forward movement in the EB-2 and EB-3 visa categories for applicants from India and China signals that visa numbers remain available and that the DOS and USCIS are working to expedite processing before the end of the fiscal year.
- EB-5 India (Unreserved) Applicants: The unreserved EB-5 category for Indian nationals continues to retrogress, with the priority date now pushed back to January 1, 2019. This reflects increasing demand and signals that India’s visa allocation is nearing exhaustion. Without new legislative or regulatory measures to expand availability, investors in this category are likely to face prolonged wait times. However, those seeking faster processing options might consider the set-aside EB-5 subcategories, which remain current and may provide a more predictable and expedited route.
- No Change for Most Other Regions: For applicants from countries not subject to the high-demand caps—those classified under “All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed”—visa processing remains stable. Final Action Dates in the EB-1,EB-2, and EB-3 categories continue to be favorable, offering a consistent and timely opportunity for applicants to proceed with their filings.
Applicants are encouraged to act swiftly if eligible to file and to remain alert to further developments as we approach the end of the fiscal year.