In this live webinar and Q&A session, Manifest Law's Principal Immigration Attorney, Nicole Gunara, breaks down the October 2025 Visa Bulletin. She explains forward movement for EB-1, EB-2, EB-3 means for you and how to determine if you're eligible for an adjustment of status.

Nicole also took questions from the audience and covered:

• Visa Bulletin 101

  • What is the Visa Bulletin and how do the employment-based categories (EB-1/EB-2/EB-3) interact with it?

  • What is a priority date and how is it set for PERM vs. NIW vs. EB-1 filings?

  • Why do backlogs happen, and how do country of chargeability rules (e.g., India/China vs. “All Other”) work?

• “Dates for Filing” vs. “Final Action Dates”

  • What’s the difference between the two charts?

  • Why does USCIS choosing the filing dates chart for October matter in practice?

• October 2025 Movement & Implications

  • How much did EB-1/EB-2/EB-3 advance this month (especially for India and China)?

  • What does this movement enable right now (e.g., adjustment eligibility, strategic filings)?

• Adjustment of Status (AOS) Basics

  • When can you file AOS, and what benefits kick in while it’s pending (EAD, AP, ability to remain)?

  • If your filing date is current but final action isn’t, what happens after you file?

• Strategy: Upgrading & Capturing Priority Dates

  • When does it make sense to upgrade from EB-3→EB-2 or EB-2→EB-1A/EB-1B/EB-1C?

  • Can a new petition retain/absorb an earlier priority date?

• Processing Times & Premium Processing

  • Typical timelines after filing Form I-485, and variability.

  • When (and whether) premium processing helps for I-140s.

• Status, Travel, and Work Authorization

  • Traveling while AOS is pending: when H-1B/L-1 exceptions apply vs. needing Advance Parole.

  • How long EAD/AP can take once AOS is filed.

  • Changing jobs while I-485 is pending (portability basics and caveats).

• Category-Specific Clarifications

  • EB-1 sub-categories (A/B/C) and who fits where.

  • EB-2 NIW vs. EB-2 PERM differences (and how their priority dates are set).

  • Schedule A options for nurses and where they slot (EB-2 vs. EB-3).

• Nonimmigrant Visas and Applying for a Green Card

  • E-2 visa and immigrant intent questions when filing I-140.

  • F-1/OPT/STEM OPT considerations before pursuing immigrant petitions.

  • O-1 visa: criteria haven’t changed, but evidence scrutiny is tighter; what “onion-layered” proof looks like.

• Visa Bulletin Forecasting & Risk

  • How (un)predictable are November and later bulletins?

  • What signals (e.g., bulletin footnotes) practitioners watch for retrogression/advancement.

• Practical Next Steps

  • What to gather for AOS (medical, civil docs) and why October creates a limited window if filing dates are in effect only for this month.

  • When a 1:1 consult with an immigration attorney is important, so you can get personalized guidance on based on your status history, employer ties, travel plans, etc.

  
  

To learn more, you can also read our news coverage of the October Visa Bulletin here.

Get started on your EB-1, EB-2, or EB-3 petition or AOS today

Request a consultation with Manifest Law here and get $250 off any visa as a thank you for attending this webinar!