Visa Bulletin August 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 August 2025. This bulletin shows which green card applications can move forward based on priority dates.
By:
Chelsea Spinos
Reviewer:
Nicole Gunara
9 min read • June 16, 2025
Key Updates from August 2025 Visa Bulletin
While forward progress across visa categories was mostly slow or non-existent (with one visa category even pushing dates back), the USCIS Visa Bulletin for August 2025 did introduce a few important updates that could impact your visa application.
Employment-Based Green Card Movement – August 2025
EB-1: The cut-off dates for all regions stayed the same; All Other Areas, Mexico, and the Philippines maintained Current status, India stayed at February 15, 2022, and China at November 15, 2022.
EB-2: Cut-off dates for All Other Areas, Mexico, and the Philippines actually regressed by 44 days, from October 15, 2023 to September 1, 2023. India remained unchanged at January 1, 2013, as did China at December 15, 2020.
EB-3: All Other Areas and Mexico remained unchanged at April 1, 2023. The same is true for the Philippines, which stayed at February 8, 2023, and China at December 1, 2020. India moved forward a month from April 22, 2013 to May 22, 2013.
EB-4: No countries have authorized status in this category. All regions remain unauthorized, meaning no published cut-off dates or movement.
EB-5: All Other Areas, Mexico, and the Philippines stayed the same at Current status. China saw significant movement of nearly two years (685 days) from January 22, 2014 to December 8, 2015. India also saw forward movement, progressing 198 days from May 1, 2019 to November 15, 2019.
Family-Based Green Card Movement – August 2025
F-1: There was no change across the board for F-1 visas; All Other Areas, China, and India, which remained at September 1, 2017, the Philippines stayed at April 22, 2015, and Mexico stayed at June 1, 2006.
F-2A: All regions, including All Other Areas, China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines, moved forward one month from March 1, 2025 to April 1, 2025.
F-2B: All regions stayed the same; All Other Areas, China, and India remained at January 1, 2017, the Philippines at October 1, 2013, and Mexico at April 1, 2008.
F3: No movement in any regions. All Other Areas, China, and India remained at July 22, 2012, Mexico at June 15, 2001, and the Philippines at December 1, 2004.
F4: No movement for India, which stayed at December 1, 2006. The Philippines also stayed the same at January 1, 2008, as did Mexico at April 30, 2001. All Other Areas and China moved up 115 days from September 8, 2008 to January 1, 2009.
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.
To understand when you can move forward with your green card application, you need to know how the Visa Bulletin organizes and tracks your place in line. It does this using key terms like:
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 tell you when you are legally allowed to have a green card issued to you. Thus, even if USCIS accepts your adjustment of status application (or the consulate accepts your immigrant visa application) based on the Dates of Filing, they cannot approve the case and issue a green card until your priority date is on or before the Final Action Date for your category.
In order to read the visa bulletin chart, you need to know two things:
Your priority date
Your preference category
What is my preference category?
Family-Based Visa Categories:
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 (Final Action Dates)
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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 visa consultation with Manifest today to get the support and guidance you need on your immigration journey.
