July Visa Bulletin Brings Major Forward Movement for Family-Sponsored Green Cards from India
Family-Sponsored Green Cards from India See Big Gains in July Visa Bulletin
July Visa Bulletin: In a welcome development for many Indian families awaiting U.S. permanent residency, the July Visa Bulletin brings major forward movement for family-sponsored green cards from India across several key categories. Released by the U.S. Department of State, this latest update shines a light of hope on thousands of applicants, particularly in the F1 and F2A categories, while offering modest yet meaningful progress in others.
Final Action Dates in July Visa Bulletin: A Month of Forward Momentum
The most striking leap appears in the F2A category, which covers spouses and children of U.S. permanent residents. This group saw an eight-month surge in the Final Action Dates chart, moving from January 1, 2022, to September 1, 2022. For countless families waiting to reunite, this dramatic jump could bring long-awaited relief.
Equally encouraging is the F1 category, designated for unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, which advanced from June 8, 2016, to July 15, 2016. Though the progress is just over a month, in a process often measured by years, every step forward matters.
Additional forward movement can be observed across other family-sponsored categories:
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F2B (unmarried sons and daughters, 21 or older, of permanent residents): Up from September 22, 2016, to October 15, 2016.
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F3 (married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens): Advanced from June 22, 2011, to August 1, 2011.
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F4 (siblings of adult U.S. citizens): Saw a subtle rise from June 15, 2006, to July 8, 2006.
Each of these movements represents progress in a system known for long wait times, especially for applicants from high-demand countries like India.
Dates for Filing: Moderate Gains with Notable Advances
The Dates for Filing chart, which signals when applicants can begin preparing and submitting their adjustment of status applications, revealed a more varied picture. The F1, F2B, and F3 categories remain unchanged, but not all news is stagnant.
The F2A category again made headlines, advancing from February 1, 2025, to March 1, 2025, showing consistency between the Final Action Dates and the Filing Dates — a rare and positive sign in immigration timelines.
Another positive development was seen in the F4 category, which moved forward from October 1, 2006, to December 1, 2006. Though modest, this two-month shift could be pivotal for families separated across borders.
Employment-Based Categories in July Visa Bulletin: EB-3 Leads the Way
On the employment front, the July Visa Bulletin offered fewer dramatic changes. Most employment-based green card categories for India remain static. However, the EB-3 category, which includes Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers, saw a slight but significant advancement from April 15, 2013, to April 22, 2013.
Meanwhile, the EB-1 (Priority Workers) and EB-2 (Advanced Degree Professionals or Persons of Exceptional Ability) categories continue to hold at February 15, 2022, and January 1, 2013, respectively.
No changes were announced in the Dates for filing for employment-based applicants across all categories.
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