January 2025 Visa Bulletin: Analysis & Predictions Including EB2 Priority Date India

One of the most significant parts of getting a green card in the U.S. is waiting for your priority date to be current. For those who have invested the time, effort, and money into an immigrant visa, questions arise such as “How long will it take for my date to be current?” and “Can I speed this process up?” We provide regular monthly updates on the most recent visa bulletin, analyze the date movements, and predict upcoming months to help answer these questions. This month, we’ll go over the January 2025 visa bulletin.

If you want more information on the background of the visa bulletin and how to read the bulletin, make sure to scroll to the bottom of the post or click the interested link in the Table of Contents.

January 2025 Visa Bulletin: Overview and Predictions

The January 2025 Visa Bulletin shows some positive movement in the employment-based preference categories. For China and India, the Final Action Dates for EB-2 and EB-3 categories have slightly advanced, offering some relief to applicants in these categories. However, the EB-1 category remains unchanged for both countries, which might be a point of frustration for high-skilled workers in these categories. For applicants from countries classified as “Worldwide (All Other),” there is slight advancement in EB-2 and EB-3 categories, reflecting a continued demand for skilled workers globally.

USCIS’s decision to accept adjustment of status applications based on the Dates for Filing (Chart B) in January 2025 is a significant opportunity for applicants to start their process earlier. This bulletin indicates a positive trend towards reducing backlogs, but many applicants, particularly in the EB-1 category for India and China, may continue to face longer waiting times.

Prediction – Given the conservative approach taken by the State Department at the start of Fiscal Year 2025, we can expect gradual but steady limited advancement in the Final Action Dates for EB-2 and EB-3 categories over the coming months. However, significant movement in the EB-1 category may remain limited due to high demand and existing backlogs.

Key Updates for January 2025

EB-1 China and India: China’s final action cut-off date remains at November 8, 2022, and India remains at February 1, 2022.

All Other Countries: The final action cut-off dates remain current, meaning there are no backlogs, and eligible applicants from these regions can continue to expect prompt processing.

EB-2 China: The final action cut-off date advances one month to April 22, 2020. 

EB-2 India: The final action cut-off date advances two months to October 1, 2012. 

EB-2 All Other Countries: The final action cut-off date advances two weeks to April 1, 2023. 

EB-3 China: The final action cut-off date advances two months to June 1, 2020. 

EB-3 India: The final action cut-off date advances three weeks to December 1, 2012. 

All Other Countries: The final action date advances two weeks to December 8, 2020. 

EB-4: No change across the board; All countries are at January 1, 2021.

Final Action vs. Filing Dates: It’s important to differentiate between the final action dates (when a visa can be issued) and the filing dates (when an application can be submitted). This will help applicants understand their current status and next steps.

The Final Action Dates chart determines when an I-485 or IV can be approved, while the Dates for Filing Chart determines when an applicant can file an I-485.

Suppose you have an Adjustment of Status (AOS) application currently pending. Your priority date must be current under the Final Action Chart to adjudicate your green card. If you are contemplating interfiling—a process that allows AOS applicants to change their preference category—don’t hesitate to contact VisaNation Law Group. USCIS has also announced that, for December 2024, it will accept adjustment of status applications based on the Dates for Filing (Chart B). This decision provides an opportunity for applicants who meet the filing criteria to submit adjustment of status applications, though it does not imply imminent advancement in Final Action Dates.

As the fiscal year progresses, demand fluctuations and potential retrogressions remain possible. Visa Nation will continue to monitor trends in Final Action Dates and update projections as new information becomes available. Applicants are encouraged to stay informed and prepared for potential adjustments in the coming months.

Family-Based Green Cards

The category for family-based immigration comprises four preference levels based on who your sponsoring family member is in relation to you. There are five chargeability areas for this category: China, India, Mexico, the Philippines, and all other countries. Due to the global pandemic and limited appointments at overseas consular offices, family-based immigrant visas continue to see low usage numbers. Therefore, any unused family-based visas get added to the EB categories. 

Family-Based Dates for Filing Charts

The Dates for Filing chart determines when an applicant can file an I-485. 

In the F-1 category, we see no change across the board. China, India and the rest of the world are at September 1, 2017 while Mexico is at October 1, 2005 and Philippines at April 22, 2015.

In the F-2A category, all countries remain at July 15, 2024. 

In the F-2B category, China, India, and all other countries of chargeability remain at January 1, 2017. The Philippines remains at October 1, 2013. Mexico advances to October 1, 2006. 

In the F-3 category, China, India and all other countries of chargeability all advance to July 22, 2012. Mexico remains at June 15, 2001 and Philippines at May 8, 2004. 

In the F-4 category, China, and the rest of the world remain at March 1, 2008. India remains at August 1, 2006 while Philippines advances over five months to January 1, 2008. 

For the purposes of the January 2025 bulletin AOS, USCIS has indicated to use the Dates for Filing Chart for all family-sponsored filings. If a particular immigrant visa category is “current” on the Final Action Dates chart or the cutoff date on the Final Action Dates chart is later than the date on the Dates for Filing chart, applicants in that immigrant visa category may file using the Final Action Dates chart during that month.

*The numbers in the brackets designate the amount of movement in the filing date for that particular category compared to the previous month. If there’s no bracket below certain dates, there is no movement for those dates/categories in the latest visa bulletin.

Family-Based Final Action Dates Chart

The Final Action Dates Chart shows no changes since the last bulletin. In the F-1 category, India, China and the rest of the world advance one month to November 22, 2015 while Mexico remains at November 22, 2004 and the Philippines advances one week to March 8, 2012. 

In the F2A category, all China, India and the rest of the world stay at January 1, 2022. Mexico advances one month to May 15, 2021 and Philippines to January 1, 2022. 

In the F-2B category, China and the rest of the world advance 3 weeks to May 22, 2016. Philippines remains at October 22, 2011 and Mexico remains at July 1, 2005.

In the F-3 category we see China and India advance over two months to July 1, 2010. Mexico advances one month to November 22, 2000 and Philippines advances two months to November 8, 2002.

In the F-4 category we see China and the rest of the world remain at August 1, 2007 while India advances to April 8, 2006 and Mexico remains at March 1, 2001. Philippines advances three months to May 1, 2004. 

*The numbers in the brackets designate the amount of movement in the final action date for that particular category compared to the previous month. If there’s no bracket below certain dates, there is no movement for those dates/categories in the latest visa bulletin.

Remember, marriage-based green card applicants, are known as immediate relatives and don’t have to wait to receive a green card.

Employment-Based Green Cards

With five different preference levels and seven chargeability areas, USCIS issues employment-based category visas through your job or occupation. The chargeability areas are China, India, Mexico, the Philippines, Central America (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador), Vietnam, and the general category.

Employment-Based Final Action Dates Chart

EB-1 China and India: China’s cut-off date remains at November 8, 2022, and India remains at February 1, 2022.

All Other Countries: The cut-off dates remain current, meaning there are no backlogs, and eligible applicants from these regions can continue to expect prompt processing.

EB-2 China: The cut-off date advances one month to April 22, 2020.

EB-2 India: The cut-off date advances two months to October 1, 2012.

EB-2 All Other Countries: The cut-off date advances two weeks to April 1, 2023.

EB-3 China: The cut-off date advances two months to June 1, 2020.

EB-3 India: The cut-off date advances three weeks to December 1, 2012.

All Other Countries: Advances two weeks to December 8, 2020.

EB-4: No change across the board; All countries are at January 1, 2021.

USCIS has specified to use the Dates for Filing Chart for employment-based AOS Filings. 

Employment-Based Dates for Filing Chart

Here are the January 2025 Visa Bulletin Final Action dates for employment-based immigrant visas.

1. EB-1 China remains at January 1, 2023; EB-2 China remains at October 1, 2020 and EB-3 China remains at November 15, 2020.

2. EB-1 India remains at April 15, 2022 while EB-2 India remains at January 1, 2013 and EB-3 India remains at June 8, 2013.

3. EB-1 Mexico is current; EB-2 Mexico remains at August 1, 2023 and EB-3 remains at March 1, 2023.

4. EB-1 Philippines is current; EB-2 remains at August 1, 2023 and EB-3 remains at March 1, 2023.

*The numbers in the brackets designate the amount of movement in the final action date for that particular category compared to the previous month. If there’s no bracket below certain dates, there is no movement for those dates/categories in the latest visa bulletin.

Important January 2025 Visa Bulletin Dates

For those new to the green card process, you should learn a few terms and remember to understand the rest of this January 2025 visa bulletin report. If you have further questions about the process or anything else about your green card, you should consult with your immigration attorney.

Priority Dates

The first term that you’ll hear thrown around is the priority date. Each person who files a petition with the USCIS receives a priority date when the government obtains your petition. A priority date establishes a person’s place in line to get an immigrant visa. Keep this date handy since you will need it to compare to the dates in this bulletin. Remember that your priority date does not move, and you cannot change it except under certain circumstances.

Note: Priority dates are not relevant for immediate relatives of U.S. Citizens (e.g., spouses or minor children) as that category is always current.

Final Action Dates

Final action dates are based on the green card category and the chargeability area—your country of origin. Therefore, the final action dates constantly change based on how many people from each chargeability area have petitioned for that green card.

If green cards are still available, the final action date will likely move closer to your priority date. If green cards are unavailable, you will not see any movement from that final action date. However, if the limit has passed, you may see the date retrogress or move backward from your priority date.

Once the final action date in your green card preference level and chargeability area reaches your priority date, your priority date will be considered current. Once current, you will adjust your status or go through consular processing.

Date for Filing Charts and I-485

You’ll notice there are two charts for each category.

The Date for Filing chart determines whether or not one can submit the final immigrant visa application.

The Final Action Date chart indicates whether an immigrant visa number will be available.

If you need to file an adjustment of status, Form I-485, you need to follow the Final Action Date chart to know when to file based on your priority date. However, sometimes USCIS will note that they’ll accept I-485s based on the Date for Filing chart. USCIS will use this chart when more immigrant visas are available than applicants.

USCIS announces which chart applicants can use within a week of the visa bulletin’s release.

Can You Shorten Your Waiting Time?

The short answer is: probably not. However, there are two prominent cases in which you may be able to shorten your green card processing time, which we will explain here.

The first way is to file an I-140 for a green card and chargeability area with a current priority date. In this case, rather than wait the usual six months for your petition to be processed, you can pay an additional fee for premium processing, which will shorten the processing time to 15 calendar days. However, this is only available for certain green cards that use the I-140. It is unavailable for family- or investment-based immigration and the EB-1C or EB-2 NIW.

The second situation involves green card “porting,” or transferring your application from a lower preference level to a higher one to take advantage of the shorter waiting times. This is misleading because you don’t port your green card. In reality, you need to start with a new petition (and a new PERM if necessary). The “porting” aspect only comes in when you indicate that you want to retain your original priority date.

As attractive as “porting” might seem, it is a delicate process with particular requirements. Therefore, running decisions like these through your immigration attorney is always good.

Staying Up-to-Date

In the world of immigration law, it always pays to be informed. The more you know about your green card, the easier it will be to make informed decisions about your case. To stay in the know about things like the newest visa bulletin, you can subscribe to the Department of State’s newsletter by emailing [email protected] with the message “Subscribe Visa Bulletin.”