Visa Lawyer Blog
We are pleased to report that today the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs published the August 2025 Visa Bulletin.
In this blog post, we breakdown the movement of the employment-based and family-sponsored categories in the coming month.
USCIS Adjustment of Status
For employment-based preference categories, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed it will continue to use the Final Action Dates chart to determine filing eligibility for adjustment of status to permanent residence in the month of August.
For family-sponsored preference categories, USCIS will also continue to use the Dates for Filing chart to determine filing eligibility for adjustment of status to permanent residence in the month of August.
Please click here for more information.
Highlights of the August 2025 Visa Bulletin
At a Glance
What can we expect to see in the month of August?
Employment-Based Categories
Final Action Advancements
EB-2 Members of the Professions and Aliens of Exceptional Ability
- EB-2 Worldwide, Mexico, Philippines retrogressed by 1.4 months to September 1, 2023
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers and Other Workers
- EB-3 India will advance by 1 month to May 22, 2013
EB-5 Unreserved Categories (C5, T5, I5, and R5)
- India will advance by 6.5 months to November 15, 2019
- China will advance by 22.5 months to December 08, 2015
Dates for Filing Advancements
- No advancements from July Visa Bulletin
Family-Sponsored Categories
Final Action Advancements
F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- F4 India will advance by 3.8 months to November 1, 2006
Dates for Filing Advancements
F-2A Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
- F2A All countries will advance by 1 month to April 1, 2025
F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- F4 Worldwide and China will advance by 3.8 months to January 1, 2009
Employment-Based Categories
FINAL ACTION DATES FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES
According to the Department of State’s August 2025 Visa Bulletin, the following Final Action cutoff dates will apply for employment-based categories in the month of August.
EB-1 Aliens of extraordinary ability, Outstanding Professors and Researchers, and Certain Multinational Managers or Executives
- EB-1 India will remain at February 15, 2022
- EB-1 China will remain at November 15, 2022
- EB-1 All other countries will remain current
EB-2 Members of the Professions and Aliens of Exceptional Ability
- EB-2 India will remain at January 1, 2013
- EB-2 China will remain at December 15, 2020
- EB-2 All other countries retrogressed by 1.4 months to September 1, 2023
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
- EB-3 India will advance by 1 month to May 22, 2013
- EB-3 China will remain at December 1, 2020
- EB-3 Philippines will remain at February 08, 2023
- EB-3 Worldwide and Mexico will remain at April 1, 2023
EB-3 Other Workers
- EB-3 India will advance by 1 month to May 22, 2013
- EB-3 China will remain at May 1, 2017
- EB-3 All other countries will remain at July 8, 2021
EB-4 Religious Workers
- Unavailable
As predicted by the State Department and announced on February 28, 2025, all available EB-4 immigrant visas for FY 2025 were issued as of February 28, requiring the State Department to make the category unavailable immediately.
EB-4 will be unavailable for the month of July and continuing through the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2025. No immigrant visa or adjustment of status applications may be approved in the EB-4 category through that date. The annual limit will reset at the start of the new fiscal year on October 1, 2025.
EB-5 Unreserved Categories (C5, T5, I5, and R5)
- India will advance by 6.5 months to November 15, 2019
- China will advance by 22.5 months to December 08, 2015
- All other countries will remain current
EB-5 Set-Aside Categories (Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure) will also remain current
*The bold represents the Visa Bulletin advancements
| Employment- based |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| 1st | C | 15NOV22 | 15FEB22 | C | C |
| 2nd | 01SEP23 | 15DEC20 | 01JAN13 | 01SEP23 | 01SEP23 |
| 3rd | 01APR23 | 01DEC20 | 22MAY13 | 01APR23 | 08FEB23 |
| Other Workers | 08JUL21 | 01MAY17 | 22MAY13 | 08JUL21 | 08JUL21 |
| 4th | U | U | U | U | U |
| Certain Religious Workers | U | U | U | U | U |
| 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5, NU, RU) |
C | 08DEC15 | 15NOV19 | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: Rural (20%, including NR, RR) |
C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: High Unemployment (10%, including NH, RH) |
C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: Infrastructure (2%, including RI) |
C | C | C | C | C |
DATES FOR FILING FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES
According to the Department of State’s August 2025 Visa Bulletin, the following Dates for Filing cutoff dates will apply in August:
*No change from July
EB-1 Aliens of extraordinary ability, Outstanding Professors and Researchers, and Certain Multinational Managers or Executives
- EB-1 India will remain at April 15, 2022
- EB-1 China will remain at January 1, 2023
- EB-1 All other countries will remain current
EB-2 Members of the Professions and Aliens of Exceptional Ability
- EB-2 India will remain at February 1, 2013
- EB-2 China will remain at January 1, 2021
- EB-2 All other countries will remain at November 15, 2023
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
- EB-3 India will remain at June 8, 2013
- EB-3 China will remain at December 22, 2020
- EB-3 All other countries will remain at May 1, 2023
EB-3 Other Workers
- EB-3 India will remain at June 8, 2013
- EB-3 China will remain at January 1, 2018
- EB-3 All other countries will remain at July 22, 2021
EB-4 Special Immigrants and Religious Workers
- EB-4 will remain at February 1, 2021
EB-5 Unreserved Categories (C5, T5, I5, and R5)
- India will remain at April 1, 2022
- China will remain at October 1, 2016
- All other countries will remain current
EB-5 Set-Aside Categories (Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure) will also remain current
| Employment- based |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| 1st | C | 01JAN23 | 15APR22 | C | C |
| 2nd | 15NOV23 | 01JAN21 | 01FEB13 | 15NOV23 | 15NOV23 |
| 3rd | 01MAY23 | 22DEC20 | 08JUN13 | 01MAY23 | 01MAY23 |
| Other Workers | 22JUL21 | 01JAN18 | 08JUN13 | 22JUL21 | 22JUL21 |
| 4th | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 |
| 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5) |
C | 01OCT16 | 01APR22 | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: (Rural: NR, RR – 20%) |
C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: (High Unemployment: NH, RH – 10%) |
C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: (Infrastructure: RI – 2%) |
C | C | C | C | C |
FINAL ACTION DATES FOR FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASES
According to the Department of State’s August 2025 Visa Bulletin, the following Final Action cutoff dates will apply for family-sponsored categories in the month of August.
F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F1 Mexico will remain at April 22, 2005
- F1 Philippines will remain at July 15, 2012
- F1 All other countries will remain at July 15, 2016
F-2A Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
- F2A Mexico will remain at February 1, 2022
- F2A All other countries will remain at September 1, 2022
F-2B Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents
- F2B Mexico will remain at January 1, 2007
- F2B Philippines will remain at April 15, 2012
- F2B All other countries will remain at October 15, 2016
F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F3 Mexico will remain at February 1, 2001
- F3 Philippines will remain at December 1, 2003
- F3 All other countries will remain at August 1, 2011
F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- F4 Mexico will remain at March 15, 2001
- F4 Philippines will remain at January 1, 2006
- F4 India will advance by 3.8 months to November 1, 2006
- F4 All other countries will remain at January 1, 2008
*The bold represents the Visa Bulletin advancements
| Family- Sponsored |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA-mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 15JUL16 | 15JUL16 | 15JUL16 | 22APR05 | 15JUL12 |
| F2A | 01SEP22 | 01SEP22 | 01SEP22 | 01FEB22 | 01SEP22 |
| F2B | 15OCT16 | 15OCT16 | 15OCT16 | 01JAN07 | 15APR12 |
| F3 | 01AUG11 | 01AUG11 | 01AUG11 | 01FEB01 | 01DEC03 |
| F4 | 01JAN08 | 01JAN08 | 01NOV06 | 15MAR01 | 01JAN06 |
DATES FOR FILING FOR FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASES
According to the Department of State’s August 2025 Visa Bulletin, the following Dates for Filing cutoff dates will apply in the month of August.
F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F1 Mexico will remain at June 1, 2006
- F1 Philippines will remain at April 22, 2015
- F1 All other countries will remain at September 1, 2017
F-2A Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
- F2A All countries will advance by 1 month to April 1, 2025
F-2B Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents
- F2B Mexico will remain at April 1, 2008
- F2B Philippines will remain at October 1, 2013
- F2B All other countries will remain at January 1, 2017
F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F3 Mexico will remain at June 15, 2001
- F3 Philippines will remain at December 1, 2004
- F3 All other countries will remain at July 22, 2012
F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- F4 Mexico will remain at April 30, 2001
- F4 Philippines will remain at January 1, 2008
- F4 India will remain at December 1, 2006
- F4 Worldwide and China will advance by 3.8 months to January 1, 2009
| Family- Sponsored |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 01JUN06 | 22APR15 |
| F2A | 01APR25 | 01APR25 | 01APR25 | 01APR25 | 01APR25 |
| F2B | 01JAN17 | 01JAN17 | 01JAN17 | 01APR08 | 01OCT13 |
| F3 | 22JUL12 | 22JUL12 | 22JUL12 | 15JUN01 | 01DEC04 |
| F4 | 01JAN09 | 01JAN09 | 01DEC06 | 30APR01 | 01JAN08 |
Conclusion
For the employment-based final action dates, EB-2 Worldwide, Mexico, and the Philippines retrogressed by 1.4 months to September 1, 2023. EB-3 India will advance 1 month to May 22, 2013. EB-5 Unreserved India will advance by 6.5 months to November 15, 2019, and EB-5 Unreserved China will advance by 22.5 months to December 08, 2015. EB-1 Worldwide, Mexico, and the Philippines remains current.
In the dates or filing chart, there were no advancements from the July Visa Bulletin.
In the family-sponsored final action dates F-4 India will advance by 3.8 months to November 1, 2006. In the dates for filing for F2A all countries will advance by 1 month to April 1, 2025. F-4 Worldwide and China will advance by 3.8 months to January 1, 2009.
As we do every month, we will keep you updated on the upcoming movement and changes in the Visa Bulletin right here on our blog.
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