April 2025 Visa Bulletin: Trends and Projections

Last Updated on: DOS Visa Bulletin
April 2025 Visa Bulletin: Trends and Projections

The April 2025 Visa Bulletin presents significant developments in both family-sponsored and employment-based immigrant visa categories. While certain employment-based preferences have shown minor movement, others, such as EB-4, have reached their annual limit, and EB-5 is seeing retrogression for China and India. Family-based categories have remained relatively stable, but some categories continue to advance gradually.

Key Changes in the April 2025 Visa Bulletin

Family-Sponsored Preference Visas

  1. F1 (Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens)

    • Final Action Date: March 15, 2016 (Most chargeability areas).
    • Advancement: Significant movement from November 22, 2015 (March Bulletin) to March 15, 2016.
    • Mexico remains stagnant at January 1, 2005, while the Philippines advances to July 15, 2012.

  2. F2A (Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents)

    • Final Action Date: January 1, 2022 across most areas, unchanged from March 2025.
    • Mexico remains at May 15, 2021.

  3. F3 (Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens)

    • Final Action Date: April 1, 2011 (Most areas), moving forward from July 1, 2010.
    • Philippines sees minor movement to March 22, 2003, while Mexico remains stuck at January 15, 2001.

  4. F4 (Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens)

    • Final Action Date: August 1, 2007 (Most areas).
    • India progresses slightly to June 15, 2006, while Mexico remains at March 15, 2001.

Employment-Based Preference Visas

  1. EB-1 (Priority Workers)

    • India: Moves slightly forward to February 15, 2022 (previously February 1, 2022).
    • China: No changes at November 8, 2022.
    • All other chargeability areas remain current.

  2. EB-2 (Advanced Degree Holders or Exceptional Ability)

    • India: Retrogresses further to January 1, 2013 (previously December 1, 2012).
    • China: Progresses to October 1, 2020 (from May 8, 2020).
    • All other areas remain current.

  3. EB-3 (Skilled Workers and Professionals)

    • India: Moves forward slightly to April 1, 2013 (from February 1, 2013).
    • China advances to November 1, 2020.
    • All other chargeability areas remain stable at January 1, 2023.

  4. EB-4 (Certain Special Immigrants, Including Religious Workers)

    • CATEGORY IS NOW “UNAVAILABLE” for the rest of Fiscal Year 2025.
    • This means no new EB-4 visas will be issued until October 1, 2025 when the new fiscal year begins.

  5. EB-5 (Investor Visas, Unreserved Category)

    • China and India face retrogression.
    • Final Action Date for China: January 22, 2014 (previously July 15, 2016).
    • Final Action Date for India: November 1, 2019 (previously January 1, 2022).

Key Trends and Projections

EB-4 Category Closure Until October 2025

  • Due to high demand, the annual limit for EB-4 has already been reached.
  • No new visas will be issued under this category until FY 2026 begins on October 1, 2025.
  • Applicants affected should seek legal counsel to explore alternative visa pathways.

India’s EB-2 and EB-3 Movement is Limited

  • EB-2 India has barely advanced and remains significantly backlogged.
  • Retrogression continues to reflect high demand, making priority date movement uncertain.
  • EB-3 India has moved slightly but is still heavily backlogged.
  • Expect slow movement in future months as demand remains high.

China’s Employment-Based Categories Show Modest Gains

  • EB-2 and EB-3 China continue to make slow but steady progress.
  • This trend is expected to continue, albeit at a gradual pace.

EB-5 Retrogression for China and India

  • The Final Action Dates for both India and China in the EB-5 category have retrogressed significantly.
  • If demand remains high, further restrictions may be imposed for other chargeability areas as well.

Implications for Applicants

1. Indian Applicants in EB-2 and EB-3 Should Prepare for Continued Delays

  • Retrogression continues with slow movement.
  • Those eligible for EB-1 should explore priority worker options.
  • Family-sponsored alternatives may also be considered for faster pathways.

2. EB-4 Applicants Will Face a Halt in Processing Until October 2025

  • Applicants should be aware that no new approvals will be issued for this category until the new fiscal year begins.

3. Chinese Applicants See Gradual Progress

  • China’s EB-2 and EB-3 categories continue to move forward slowly.
  • Applicants should expect further progress but at a slow pace.

4. EB-5 Applicants from India and China Face New Hurdles

  • Retrogression could delay visa issuance for several years.
  • Prospective investors should consult an immigration attorney for strategic planning.

Conclusion

The April 2025 Visa Bulletin highlights continued challenges for Indian applicants in EB-2 and EB-3, the closure of EB-4 until the next fiscal year, and significant retrogression in EB-5 for India and China. Family-sponsored categories remain relatively stable, with slow but steady movement. Given these developments, applicants should closely monitor upcoming visa bulletins, explore alternative options, and seek professional guidance to navigate their immigration strategies effectively.

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