The US Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs has released its February 2025 Visa Bulletin, offering encouraging news for Indian green card applicants. In the new updates, the employment-based (EB) visa categories for Indians have shown significant advancements, potentially expediting the wait for many applicants.
Key Updates in the February 2025 Visa Bulletin for Indians
| Visa Category | Final Action Date (Jan 2025) | Final Action Date (Feb 2025) | Backlog Estimate for Indians |
|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 (Priority Workers) | Feb 1, 2022 | Feb 1, 2022 | 143,497 |
| EB-2 (Advanced Degrees/Exceptional Ability) | Oct 1, 2012 | Oct 15, 2012 | 838,784 |
| EB-3 (Skilled Workers/Professionals) | Dec 1, 2012 | Dec 15, 2012 | 277,162 (including dependents) |
While the family-sponsored green card categories saw no changes, these advancements in employment-based categories signal a positive shift in the processing of green card applications.
Understanding the Employment-Based Visa Preferences
The Employment-Based Visa system is divided into several categories, each with specific requirements. Indian applicants, particularly in the EB-2 and EB-3 categories, have experienced slow progress due to the significant backlog. The February 2025 Visa Bulletin reveals some movement, but the waiting period remains lengthy.
- EB-1 (Priority Workers): This category, including multinational executives, researchers, and others with extraordinary skills, remains stagnant at February 1, 2022, with 143,497 Indian applicants still in the backlog.
- EB-2 (Advanced Degree Professionals or Persons of Exceptional Ability): The final action date has advanced from October 1, 2012, to October 15, 2012, helping ease the wait for over 838,784 Indians currently waiting in the EB-2 backlog.
- EB-3 (Skilled Workers and Professionals): A slight advancement of 15 days in this category—from December 1, 2012, to December 15, 2012—benefits 277,162 Indians, which includes both primary applicants and dependents.
Indian Applicants Make Up a Significant Portion of the Green Card Backlog
The green card backlog for Indians is a growing concern. According to the Congressional Research Service (CRS), the backlog could reach 2.19 million by FY 2030, requiring nearly 200 years to clear. Despite the advancements in the February 2025 Visa Bulletin, the long-term backlog remains a challenge.
Family-Sponsored Visa Categories
While there is good news for employment-based applicants, family-sponsored visa categories (F1, F2A, F2B, F3, and F4) remain unchanged. The final action dates for these categories are static, providing no relief for those waiting in the family green card queue.
The US February 2025 Visa Bulletin has brought some positive updates for Indian applicants, especially in the employment-based visa categories. However, the wait continues for many, and the substantial backlog still poses a significant challenge. The advancements in the February bulletin bring hope, but it’s clear that changes in policy or caps will be needed to fully address the growing green card demand from Indian nationals.
Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A) About the February 2025 US Visa Bulletin
Q1: What is the US Visa Bulletin, and how does it impact green card applicants?
The US Visa Bulletin is a monthly publication by the Department of State that indicates the availability of immigrant visa numbers. It determines when applicants can submit their green card petitions based on their priority dates.
Q2: How does the February 2025 Visa Bulletin affect Indian applicants?
Indian applicants in employment-based categories, particularly EB-2 and EB-3, will benefit from the advancements in the February 2025 Visa Bulletin. The backlog is still significant, but these changes may expedite the process for many.
Q3: Why is the backlog for Indian green card applicants so large?
The backlog is primarily due to the annual caps on green cards for employment-based categories, combined with the high demand from Indian nationals seeking to immigrate to the US. The US limits the number of green cards that can be issued to applicants from any given country.
Q4: What does the future hold for Indian green card applicants?
Although the February 2025 Visa Bulletin shows some positive movement, the backlog for Indian applicants is expected to persist for many years. Efforts to reduce the backlog, including proposed immigration reforms, may help, but progress is likely to be slow.
