The US Visa Bulletin February 2025 has been released, and it brings updates on both Family-Based and Employment-Based categories for immigrants, with notable movement for applicants from India in the EB-2 and EB-3 categories. However, the dates for the filing chart and final action dates chart remain largely unchanged for the Family-Based categories.
In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at the February 2025 Visa Bulletin, focusing on what this means for Indian immigrants, particularly in the EB-2 and EB-3 Employment-Based categories. We’ll also discuss what Family-Based applicants should know and how the changes may impact their visa processing timelines.
Overview of the February 2025 US Visa Bulletin
The US Visa Bulletin provides vital information regarding the availability of immigrant visa numbers for applicants worldwide. It includes two main charts:
- Final Action Dates Chart: This indicates when a visa applicant can finalize their case.
- Dates for Filing Visa Applications Chart: This chart tells when an applicant can submit their paperwork for review before their final action date arrives.
Key Highlights from the February 2025 US Visa Bulletin
- Family-Based Visa Categories: No changes in the filing dates or final action dates for these categories.
- EB-2 and EB-3 Employment-Based Visa Categories: Minor movement in final action dates, especially for India’s EB-2 and EB-3 categories.
- EB-5 Visa Category: No changes for China or India.
1. Family-Based Visa Categories
The Family-Sponsored Preferences section remains steady for February 2025. There are no significant changes in the dates for filing or final action in this category, which means applicants will continue to follow the previous month’s timeline.
| Family-Based Preferences | Annual Limits |
|---|---|
| First (F1) Unmarried Sons/Daughters of U.S. Citizens | 23,400, plus any unused numbers from fourth preference. |
| Second (F2) Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents | 114,200, with additional numbers if available. |
| Third (F3) Married Sons/Daughters of U.S. Citizens | 23,400, plus any unused numbers from F1 and F2. |
| Fourth (F4) Brothers/Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens | 65,000, plus any unused numbers from other preferences. |
Final Action Dates for Family-Sponsored Visa Cases
- Final Action Dates for Family-Sponsored Applicants remain consistent. This means that the priority dates haven’t moved significantly for family-based immigration.
Dates for Filing Family-Sponsored Visa Applications
- Similarly, the Dates for Filing for Family-Based applicants remain unchanged.
2. Employment-Based Visa Categories
Minor Movement in EB-2 and EB-3 Final Action Dates
The EB-2 (Employment-Based, second preference) category for India has seen some minor movement in the final action dates. Likewise, India’s EB-3 category and China’s EB-3 category also saw some progress in the final action dates. This indicates that the demand for visa numbers has slightly shifted.
| Employment-Based Category | Country | Final Action Date Movement |
|---|---|---|
| EB-2 | India | Minor movement in final action dates |
| EB-3 | India | Minor movement in final action dates |
| EB-3 | China | Minor movement in final action dates |
Applicants in these categories will need to keep track of their priority dates to determine when they can adjust their status with USCIS.
EB-5 Visa Category: No Change for India and China
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program remains unchanged. For China, the date stays at July 15, 2016, while for India, it is still January 1, 2022.
| EB-5 Category | China | India | Other Countries |
|---|---|---|---|
| EB-5 Unreserved | July 15, 2016 | January 1, 2022 | Current |
EB-1 (First-Preference Workers) Remains Unchanged
The EB-1 category for first-priority workers (such as multinational executives or individuals with extraordinary abilities) has not changed for India and China, which remains the same as last month. This is consistent across most countries.
3. Key Considerations for Visa Applicants
Filing vs. Final Action Dates
Applicants should pay attention to the difference between the Dates for Filing Visa Applications and the Final Action Dates. Here’s how each one works:
- Dates for Filing Visa Applications: Applicants may submit their petitions for adjustment of status with USCIS as soon as the filing date is current.
- Final Action Dates: Applicants must wait for their final action date to be current before USCIS can process their visa case completely.
Foreign nationals who are unsure when they can submit petitions for adjustment of status should carefully consult both the Final Action Dates and the Dates for Filing Visa Applications charts in the Visa Bulletin.
4. Visa Numbers for the Fiscal Year 2025
The Fiscal Year 2025 limit for Family-Sponsored Preference immigrants is set at 226,000. For Employment-Based Preference immigrants, the annual worldwide limit is 140,000.
Per-Country Limitations
The per-country limit for preference immigrants is set at 7% of the total annual family-sponsored and employment-based preference limits, which amounts to 25,620. There is also a 2% dependent area limit, which amounts to 7,320.
Key Takeaways from the February 2025 Visa Bulletin
The US Visa Bulletin for February 2025 shows minor movement in the EB-2 and EB-3 Employment-Based categories, specifically for Indian and Chinese applicants. While the Family-Based categories remain steady, applicants should continue to follow the current guidelines for filing and final action dates.
Applicants must stay updated with the latest Visa Bulletin releases to ensure they are aware of any changes and can file their visa applications on time. Whether you are waiting for an EB-2, EB-3, or EB-5 visa, tracking your priority dates and being proactive with your paperwork will help keep the process on track.
