March 2025 Visa Bulletin: EB-2 & EB-3 Advance, EB-4 Faces Setback
March 2025 Visa Bulletin: Key Updates for Green Card Applicants
The U.S. Department of State has officially released the March 2025 Visa Bulletin, bringing significant updates for green card applicants, especially in employment-based categories. While India remains oversubscribed across most categories, there is some encouraging news—EB-2 and EB-3 have advanced by six weeks. However, the progress is accompanied by setbacks, with the EB-4 category facing a substantial retrogression.
Employment-Based Visa Updates for March 2025
The latest bulletin from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) outlines crucial movements for employment-based visa applicants. Individuals with priority dates earlier than the listed Final Action Dates will be eligible to submit adjustment of status applications. Here’s a detailed look at the key updates:
- EB-1 (Priority Workers): No change. The Final Action Date remains February 1, 2022, with filing allowed for priority dates before April 15, 2022.
- EB-2 (Advanced Degrees/Exceptional Ability): Progressing by six weeks, the Final Action Date now stands at December 1, 2012. Applicants with priority dates before January 1, 2013, can file.
- EB-3 (Skilled Workers and Professionals): This category has also advanced six weeks, setting the Final Action Date at February 1, 2013. Those with priority dates before June 8, 2013, are eligible for filing.
- EB-3 Other Workers: Movement aligns with EB-3 Skilled Workers and Professionals, with the Final Action Date shifting to February 1, 2013.
- EB-4 (Certain Special Immigrants): The biggest setback in this bulletin is a retrogression of nearly 17 months, moving the Final Action Date to August 1, 2019. The State Department warns that this category may soon become “Unavailable.”
- EB-5 (Unreserved, Including C5, T5, I5, R5): No changes. The Final Action Date remains January 1, 2022, with filing permitted for priority dates before April 1, 2022.
2025: Religious Workers and the Upcoming Program Expiry
A crucial point to note is that the Certain Religious Workers (SR) Program is set to expire on March 14, 2025. If not extended, no visas will be issued beyond March 13, 2025. If renewed, the Final Action Date will remain August 1, 2019, through the end of March.
Family-Based Visa Categories: No Movement for Indian Applicants
For Indian applicants in family-sponsored categories, there have been no changes from the February 2025 bulletin. The cutoff dates remain stagnant, highlighting the persistent backlog in these categories:
- F1 (Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens): Final Action Date – November 22, 2015, Filing Date – September 1, 2017.
- F2A (Spouses/Unmarried Children of Permanent Residents): Final Action Date – January 1, 2022, Filing Date – July 15, 2024.
- F2B (Unmarried Sons and Daughters, 21 Years and Older, of Permanent Residents): Final Action Date – May 22, 2016, Filing Date – January 1, 2017.
- F3 (Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens): Final Action Date – July 1, 2010, Filing Date – July 22, 2012.
- F4 (Brothers and Sisters of U.S. Citizens): Final Action Date – August 8, 2006, Filing Date – August 15, 2006.
Understanding the Visa Bulletin: A Crucial Guide for Green Card Applicants
The Visa Bulletin is a vital resource for those pursuing a green card, as it provides transparency regarding timelines for adjusting immigration status and eligibility for filing applications. The bulletin consists of two main sections:
- Final Action Dates – This determines when green card applications will be approved, based on visa category and country of origin.
- Dates for Filing – This provides the earliest possible submission date for adjustment of status or immigrant visa applications.
What This Means for Indian Applicants
India continues to experience long backlogs in nearly every visa category, reflecting a high demand for green cards. However, the six-week movement in EB-2 and EB-3 is a positive sign for many waiting applicants in 2025. Conversely, the sharp retrogression in EB-4 adds uncertainty for those relying on this category.
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