Latest Update on April 2025 Visa Bulletin

By: Deepika Singh and Aadhya Sathi

The U.S. Department of State has released the April 2025 Visa Bulletin, outlining the availability of immigrant visas for family-sponsored and employment-based categories. If you're waiting for an immigrant visa, this bulletin helps determine when you can proceed with your application based on your priority date (the date your petition was filed).

Understanding the Two Key Tables on the Visa Bulletin:

• Table A: Final Action Dates
  • Determines when a visa number is available for issuance based on an applicant’s priority date (the date their petition was filed).​
  • If a category shows:​
    • A specific date (e.g., "01JAN25"): Only applicants with a priority date before that date are eligible.
    • "C" (Current): Visas are available to all applicants regardless of priority date.
    • "U" (Unauthorized): Visas are unavailable for issuance.
• Table B: Dates for Filing
  • Indicates when applicants can submit documentation.​
  • Only applicants with a priority date before that date are eligible.
  • If the category is “C” (Current), applicants can file immediately.​

Every month, USCIS provides separate guidance on which chart (Table A or Table B) applicants should use for filing Adjustment of Status (AOS) applications.

For April 2025 USCIS has confirmed the following:

• Applicants must use the Dates for Filing chart in the Department of State Visa Bulletin for April 2025 for all Family-Sponsored Filings
• Applicants must use the Final Action Dates chart in the Department of State Visa Bulletin for April 2025 for all Employment-Based Preference Filings

Visa Bulletin Dates:

Employment-Based Preferences(Table A: Final Action Dates):

• First Preference (EB-1): Priority Workers​
  • All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed: Current (C)​
  • China (mainland-born): November 8, 2022​
  • India: February 15, 2022​
  • Mexico: Current (C)​
  • Philippines: Current (C)​
• Second Preference (EB-2): Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability​
  • All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed: June 22, 2023​
  • China (mainland-born): October 1, 2020​
  • India: January 1, 2013​
  • Mexico: June 22, 2023​
  • Philippines: June 22, 2023​
• Third Preference (EB-3): Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers​
  • Skilled Workers and Professionals:
  • All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed: January 1, 2023
  • China (mainland-born): November 1, 2020
  • India: April 1, 2013
  • Mexico: January 1, 2023
  • Philippines: January 1, 2023
• Other Workers:
  • All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed: May 22, 2021
  • China (mainland-born): April 1, 2017
  • India: April 1, 2013
  • Mexico: May 22, 2021
  • Philippines: May 22, 2021
• Fourth Preference (EB-4): Certain Special Immigrants​
  • All Chargeability Areas: Unavailable (U)​
• Fifth Preference (EB-5): Employment Creation
  • Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5, NU, RU):
    • All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed: Current (C)
    • China (mainland-born): January 22, 2014
    • India: November 1, 2019
    • Mexico: Current (C)
    • Philippines: Current (C)

Family-Sponsored Visa Dates (Table B: Dates for Filing chart)

• F1 (Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens): All countries except those listed: September 1, 2017; Mexico: April 1, 2006; Philippines: April 22, 2015.​
• F2A (Spouses and Unmarried Children under 21 of Permanent Residents): All countries: October 15, 2024.​
• F2B (Unmarried Sons and Daughters 21 or older of Permanent Residents): All countries except those listed: January 1, 2017; Mexico: April 1, 2007; Philippines: October 1, 2013.​
• F3 (Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens): All countries except those listed: July 22, 2012; Mexico: June 15, 2001; Philippines: September 22, 2004.​
• F4 (Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens): All countries except those listed: April 1, 2008; India: October 1, 2006; Mexico: April 30, 2001; Philippines: January 1, 2008.

Some Key Observations and Changes

• EB-4 Category Unavailable: Due to high demand, EB-4 visas (for certain special immigrants) are no longer available and may remain unavailable until the next fiscal year.
• Diversity Visa (DV) Program Ongoing: DV-2025 applicants can still apply, with rank cut-off numbers determining eligibility by region.

If your priority date matches the dates listed in the table for your category, reach out to us for assistance. Stay updated on any changes and check USCIS guidelines to determine which chart applies for filing your Adjustment of Status application. For full details, refer to the official April 2025 Visa Bulletin.