By: Lihua Tan
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has released the October 2025 Visa Bulletin, which outlines the availability of immigrant visas for family-sponsored and employment-based categories according to applicants’ priority date. New fiscal year (FY) begins on October 1, 2025, meaning that categories that hit their FY-2025 limits in September (notably EB-1, EB-2, EB-3/EW) will reopen in October with fresh numbers.
The Visa Bulletin has two different charts per visa preference category
Final Action Dates (Chart A)
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- This determines when a visa number is available for issuance based on an applicant’s priority date. If a category shows a specific date (e.g., "01JAN25"), only applicants with a priority date before that date are eligible; if it shows "C" (Current): Visas are available to all applicants regardless of priority date; and if it shows "U" (Unavailable): Visas are unavailable for issuance.
Dates for Filing (Chart B)
- For consular processing (outside the U.S.): The Dates for Filing chart lists the earliest priority dates when the National Visa Center (NVC) will notify applicants to assemble and submit civil documents and fees.
For Adjustment of Status (filing Form I-485 in the U.S.): Each month, USCIS decides which chart an applicant may use to file the I-485, Adjustment of Status (AOS) application. If USCIS determines that there are enough immigrant visas available to accommodate additional filings, it then lists the Dates for Filing chart to be used for AOS filings that month. Otherwise, the applicant must wait until her priority date becomes current under Final Action Dates to file the I-485, AOS application.
- Final Action Date Chart (Chart A) Update Highlights:EB-1:
- China: December 22, 2022 (from November 15, 2022)
- India: February 15, 2022
- All other countries not listed above: Current.
- EB-2:
- China: April 1, 2021 (from December 15, 2020)
- India: April 1, 2013 (from January 1, 2013)
- All other countries not listed above: December 1, 2023 (from September 1, 2023)
- EB-3 (Professionals/Skilled):
- China: March 1, 2021 (from December 1,2020)
- India: August 22, 2013 (from May 22, 2013)
- All other countries not listed above: April 1, 2023 (Philippines aligns up from February 8, 2023 to April 1, 2023)
- EB-3 Other Workers:
- China: December 1, 2017 (from May 1, 2017);
- India: August 22, 2013 (from May 22, 2013).
- All other countries not listed above: July 15, 2021 (from July 8, 2021)
- EB-4:
- All countries Reopens from Unavailable: July 1, 2020
- Certain Religious Workers: Unavailable
- EB-5 (Unreserved):
- India advances significantly to February 1, 2021 (from November 15, 2019)
- China: December 8, 2015
- All other countries not listed above: Current.
- Set-Aside (Rural/High Unemployment/Infrastructure): Current
Date of Filing (Chart B) Update Highlights:
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- EB-1: China 15MAY2023, India 15APR2023 (others Current).
- EB-2: Worldwide 15JUL2024; China 01DEC2021; India 01DEC2013.
- EB-3: Worldwide 01JUL2023; China 01JAN2022; India 15AUG2014; Other Workers: Worldwide 01DEC2021; China 01OCT2018; India 15AUG2014.
- EB-4: 15FEB2021.
- EB-5 Unreserved: China 01JUL2016; India 01APR2022; Set-Asides Current.
Also, USCIS has designated “Dates for Filing” (Chart B) for both family- and employment-based AOS filings in October 2025.
If your priority date is earlier than the date listed in Chart A or Chart B, for your EB category, please feel free to reach out to us for assistance.
