The U.S. Department of State has released the April 2025 Visa Bulletin, revealing a mix of advancements and setbacks for Indian visa applicants. While certain family-sponsored and employment-based categories have seen forward movement, others have retrogressed, reflecting the ongoing challenges of visa oversubscription.
Family-Sponsored Preferences
Final Action Dates
There is significant progress in several family-sponsored categories for Indian applicants:
F1 (Unmarried Sons & Daughters of U.S. Citizens): Advanced by approximately four months, from November 22, 2015, to March 15, 2016.
F3 (Married Sons & Daughters of U.S. Citizens): Advanced by approximately nine months, from July 1, 2010, to April 1, 2011.
F4 (Brothers & Sisters of U.S. Citizens): Advanced by over a year, from April 8, 2006, to August 1, 2007.
F2A (Spouses/Unmarried Children of Permanent Residents) and F2B (Unmarried Sons & Daughters, 21+ of Permanent Residents): No changes from the March bulletin.
Dates for Filing
While most filing dates remain unchanged, notable movements include:
F2A: Delayed by three months, from July 15, 2024, to October 15, 2024.
F4: Advanced by one month, from March 1, 2008, to April 1, 2008.
Employment-Based Preferences
Final Action Dates
Several employment-based visa categories have experienced forward movement:
EB-1 (Priority Workers): Advanced by 14 days, from February 1, 2022, to February 15, 2022.
EB-2 (Advanced Degrees/Exceptional Ability): Advanced by one month, from December 1, 2012, to January 1, 2013.
EB-3 (Skilled Workers/Professionals & Other Workers): Advanced by two months, from February 1, 2013, to April 1, 2013.
However, certain categories have faced setbacks:
EB-4 (Certain Special Immigrants): Retrogressed to “Unavailable” status.
EB-5 (Unreserved): Retrogressed by over two years, from January 1, 2022, to November 1, 2019.
Dates for Filing
There have been no changes in filing dates for any employment-based category for India.
Summary and Implications
The April 2025 Visa Bulletin presents a mixed outlook for Indian visa applicants. While certain family-sponsored categories, such as F1, F3, and F4, have progressed significantly, others remain stagnant. In employment-based preferences, advancements in EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 are encouraging, but the retrogression in EB-4 and EB-5 underscores persistent backlogs and oversubscription issues.
About the Visa Bulletin
The Visa Bulletin serves as a crucial resource for individuals seeking U.S. green cards, providing timelines for adjusting immigration status and determining application eligibility. It consists of two key sections:
Final Action Dates: Indicate when applicants can expect their green card applications to be approved.
Dates for Filing: Specify the earliest date when applicants can submit their adjustment of status or immigrant visa applications.
For individuals navigating the immigration process, staying informed about these updates is essential for strategic planning and timely application submission.
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