February 2025 Visa Bulletin Update
The U.S. Department of State has released the January 2025 Visa Bulletin, providing updates on immigrant visa availability for the upcoming month. This article outlines the priority dates that determine when applicants can file for adjustment of status or receive immigrant visas across various employment-based (EB) and family-based (FB) categories.
Key Highlights
USCIS will use the Final Action Dates chart for employment-based adjustment of status applications
Dates for Filing Chart:
The Dates for Filing chart remains unchanged from the previous month, indicating no advancement in priority dates for any employment-based and family-based categories. Applicants should not expect new filing opportunities in December based on the Dates for Filing chart.
Final Action Dates Chart:
The Final Action Dates chart remains unchanged from the previous month for family-based categories.
EB-1 Category: The cut-off day remains unchanged from the previous month.
EB-2 Category:
India: The cut-off day advances by 14 days to October 15, 2012.
China: The cut-off day remains unchanged.
All other countries: The cut-off day remains unchanged.
EB-3 Category:
India: The cut-off day advances by 14 days to December 15, 2012.
China: The cut-off day advances by 1 month to July 1, 2020.
All other countries: The cut-off day remains unchanged.
EB-4 Category: Remain unchanged
EB-5 Category: Remain unchanged
The cut-off date for the family-based preference categories remains unchanged.
These incremental advancements provide limited opportunities for applicants from India and China in the EB-2 and EB-3 categories. However, the overall waiting periods remain substantial, continuing to pose challenges for employers aiming to retain top talent.
Employers are advised to stay informed about these updates and assess their workforce planning strategies accordingly. Given the persistent demand and limited visa availability, proactive management of immigration processes remains crucial.
