The U.S. Department of State has just released its January 2025 Visa Bulletin, revealing important updates for immigrant visa applicants under the EB-2, EB-3, and EB-5 categories. If you’re waiting for your green card, especially as a professional, skilled worker, or investor, this bulletin could have a direct impact on your immigration timeline.
EB-2 Category: Good News for Some Countries
The Employment-Based Second Preference (EB-2) category is for individuals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability. For January 2025, the Final Action Dates for EB-2 applicants are as follows:
- India: January 1, 2012
- China (Mainland-born): December 1, 2019
- All other countries: Current (no waiting period)
This means that Indian EB-2 applicants with priority dates before January 1, 2012, and Chinese applicants before December 1, 2019, can now proceed with their green card applications. Applicants from all other countries don’t face any backlogs.
EB-3 Category: Positive Developments for China and India
The Employment-Based Third Preference (EB-3) category covers skilled workers, professionals, and other workers. The updated Final Action Dates for January 2025 include:
- India: January 1, 2010
- China (Mainland-born): April 1, 2019
- All other countries: Current
If you’re an EB-3 applicant from India with a priority date before January 1, 2010, or from China before April 1, 2019, you are now eligible for final action. For all other countries, EB-3 remains current, which means green cards can be processed right away.
EB-5 Category: Investor Visa Progress
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program also saw some important updates in the January 2025 bulletin. The Final Action Dates are as follows:
- India: December 8, 2019
- China (Mainland-born): September 15, 2015
- All other countries: Current
Chinese investors with priority dates before September 15, 2015, and Indian investors before December 8, 2019, can now move forward with their applications. Those from other countries can expect immediate processing.
What This Means for Applicants
The January 2025 Visa Bulletin offers mixed news. While priority dates for applicants from China and India have advanced, the backlogs remain significant for some categories, especially in EB-2 and EB-3. On the bright side, many categories remain current, offering faster processing for applicants outside China and India.
Why You Should Check Your Priority Date
Your priority date is the key to understanding when you can move forward with your green card application. If your priority date is earlier than the Final Action Date listed in the bulletin, you can now take action. Make sure to review the full bulletin on the U.S. Department of State’s website or consult with an immigration attorney to determine your eligibility.
This month’s update highlights the ongoing challenges of U.S. immigration but also provides hope for many waiting in line. Stay tuned for future updates to monitor further progress in visa availability.
