Visa Bulletin April 2025
Are you waiting for a green card? We’ve got updates for you — The U.S. Department of State has published its Visa Bulletin for April 2025. This bulletin shows which green card applications can move forward based on priority dates.
By:
Chelsea Spinos
Reviewer:
Nicole Gunara
8 min read • Mar 14, 2025
Biggest updates
EB-1 (Priority Workers): For EB-1 (which includes EB-1A, EB-1B, and EB-1C), India has moved forward by 14 days, from February 1, 2022, to February 15, 2022. China remains unchanged with a cut-off date of November 8, 2022. Both countries continue to face significant backlogs.
EB-2 (Advanced Degree Professionals): China has seen a substantial forward movement of 5 months, from May 8, 2020, to October 1, 2020. India has moved forward by 1 month, from December 1, 2012, to January 1, 2013.
EB-3 (Skilled and Unskilled Workers): China’s cut-off date has moved forward by 3 months, from August 1, 2020, to November 1, 2020. India’s cut-off date has progressed by 2 months, from February 1, 2013, to April 1, 2013.
EB-4 (Special Immigrants & Religious Workers): All countries remain unauthorized for adjustment of status, with no movement from the previous date of August 1, 2019.
EB-5 (Investor Visas): India has retrogressed by 3 years and 2 months, from January 1, 2022, to November 1, 2019. China has retrogressed by 2 years and 6 months, from July 15, 2016, to January 22, 2014.
F-1 (Unmarried Children of U.S. Citizens Age 21+): Mexico has moved forward by 1 year and 6 months, from October 1, 2005, to April 1, 2006. All other areas remain unchanged at September 1, 2017.
F-2A (Spouses and Minor Children of Green Card Holders): All countries have progressed by 3 months, from July 15, 2024, to October 15, 2024.
F-2B (Unmarried Children of Green Card Holders Age 21+): Mexico has moved forward by 1 year and 6 months, from October 1, 2006, to April 1, 2007. The Philippines has moved forward by 9 days, from October 1, 2013, to October 10, 2013.
F-3 (Married Children of U.S. Citizens): The Philippines has moved forward by 4 months, from May 8, 2004, to September 22, 2004.
All other areas remain unchanged at July 22, 2012.
F-4 (Siblings of U.S. Citizens): China and all other areas have moved forward by 1 month, from March 1, 2008, to April 1, 2008.
India has progressed by 2 months, from August 15, 2006, to October 1, 2006. Mexico and the Philippines remain unchanged at April 30, 2001, and January 1, 2008.
The USCIS Visa Bulletin, released monthly by the U.S. Department of State, indicates which green card applications are eligible to advance.
Your position in line is determined by your priority date, assigned when you file an immigrant petition (Form I-140 or Form I-130). When your priority date becomes "current," you have reached the front of the line.
Priority Dates: These dates serve as placeholders in the green card queue. The Department of State reviews the number of applications in each category monthly to estimate when applicants can proceed.
Dates for Filing: If your priority date is on or before the cut-off date for your category, you can move to the next step of your application.
Final Action Dates: These dates estimate when your application will be processed and finalized. The time between the Dates for Filing and Final Action Dates reflects the expected USCIS processing time.
In order to read the visa bulletin chart, you need to know two things:
Your priority date
Your preference category
F1: Unmarried children over the age of 21 of U.S. citizens.
F2A: Spouses and unmarried children (under 21 years old) of lawful permanent residents.
F2B: Unmarried children over the age of 21 of lawful permanent residents.
F3: Married children of U.S. citizens.
F4: Siblings of U.S. citizens.
Employment-Based Green Card Backlogs
Manifest Law©️. Learn more on www.manifestlaw.com
Manifest Law©️. Learn more on www.manifestlaw.com
Manifest Law©️. Learn more on www.manifestlaw.com
Manifest Law©️. Learn more on www.manifestlaw.com
Retrogressed 2 years, 6 months
Manifest Law©️. Learn more on www.manifestlaw.com
Manifest Law©️. Learn more on www.manifestlaw.com
Manifest Law©️. Learn more on www.manifestlaw.com
Manifest Law©️. Learn more on www.manifestlaw.com
Manifest Law©️. Learn more on www.manifestlaw.com
Manifest Law©️. Learn more on www.manifestlaw.com
Why is the visa bulletin not moving?
Occasionally, the priority dates on the visa bulletin chart stay the same or even move backward compared to the previous month. This situation is known as visa retrogression.
Visa retrogression happens when the number of applicants in a certain category or from a specific country exceeds the available visas for that month. This is especially common towards the end of the fiscal year when the annual visa limits for certain categories or countries are nearly reached.
What is the next step if my green card priority date is current?
How long do I have to file once my priority date is current?
Once your priority date becomes current, you have one year to apply for your immigrant visa.
During this time, it's crucial to start the application process and respond promptly to any messages from the National Visa Center (NVC). If you don't begin the process within this one-year period, you might miss the chance to get your immigrant visa and keep your priority date. You'd then need to reapply for the visa.
Navigate the green card process with ease
When your priority date becomes current according to the USCIS visa bulletin, our team of immigration attorneys is here to help. We'll guide you through completing and submitting all the necessary forms, like the I-485, I-765, and I-131, accurately and on time.
We'll also prepare you for any interviews you may need to attend, ensuring you present your case confidently and effectively.
At Manifest Law, our immigration attorneys have over 10 years of experience and have successfully handled thousands of visa and green card applications. Plus, we offer flexible payment plans that span up to 6 months, along with a visa-approved or money-back guarantee (terms apply).
Book a free visa consultation with us today to get the support and guidance you need on your immigration journey.
