Visa Lawyer Blog
We are pleased to report that today the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs published the October 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 adjustment of status filings to permanent residence in the month of October, USCIS will be using the Dates for Filing Chart for the employment-based and family-sponsored categories.
Highlights of the October 2025 Visa Bulletin
At a Glance
What can we expect to see in the month of October?
Employment-Based Categories
Final Action Advancements
- At the start of the new fiscal year in October, the Final Action Dates for several EB-1, EB-2 and EB-3 countries will move forward, but none will advance by more than three and a half months, except for two notable exceptions:
- EB-3 Other Workers China which will advance by 7 months and
- The Final Action Date for EB-5 India will advance by almost 14 months
Dates for Filing Advancements
- The Dates for Filing chart shows more significant employment-based advancements in EB-1 through EB-3, with several categories advancing more than a year.
- The Date for Filing for the EB-5 China category will retrogress by three months.
Family-Sponsored Categories
Final Action Advancements
- The Final Action Dates for all family-sponsored categories will move forward except for F4 India, with several categories advancing by 12 months or more. The biggest winners are F2A Mexico advancing 12 months and F2A Worldwide advancing 17 months.
Dates for Filing Advancements
- The Dates for Filing chart shows less significant family-sponsored advancements, with a few categories advancing between 2 and 4 months, and F2B Mexico advancing 8.5 months.
Employment-Based Categories
FINAL ACTION DATES FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES
The following Final Action cutoff dates will apply for employment-based categories in the month of October.
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 advance by 1 month to December 22, 2022
- EB-1 All other countries will remain current
EB-2 Members of the Professions and Aliens of Exceptional Ability
- EB-2 India will advance by 3 months to April 1, 2013
- EB-2 China will advance by 3.5 months to April 1, 2021
- EB-2 All other countries will advance by 3 months to December 1, 2023
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
- EB-3 India will advance by 3 months to August 22, 2013
- EB-3 China will advance by 3 months to March 1, 2021
- EB-3 Philippines will advance by 1.7 months to April 1, 2023
- EB-3 Worldwide and Mexico will remain at April 1, 2023
EB-3 Other Workers
- EB-3 India will advance by 3 months to August 22, 2013
- EB-3 China will advance by 7 months to December 1, 2017
- EB-3 All other countries will advance by 1 week to July 15, 2021
EB-4 Special Immigrants
- All countries will advance to July 1, 2020
EB-5 Unreserved Categories (C5, T5, I5, and R5)
- EB-5 India will advance by 14 months to February 1, 2021
- EB-5 China will remain at 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 | 22DEC22 | 15FEB22 | C | C |
| 2nd | 01DEC23 | 01APR21 | 01APR13 | 01DEC23 | 01DEC23 |
| 3rd | 01APR23 | 01MAR21 | 22AUG13 | 01APR23 | 01APR23 |
| Other Workers | 15JUL21 | 01DEC17 | 22AUG13 | 15JUL21 | 15JUL21 |
| 4th | 01JUL20 | 01JUL20 | 01JUL20 | 01JUL20 | 01JUL20 |
| Certain Religious Workers | U | U | U | U | U |
| 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5, NU, RU) |
C | 08DEC15 | 01FEB21 | 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
The following Dates for Filing cutoff dates will apply in October.
EB-1 Aliens of extraordinary ability, Outstanding Professors and Researchers, and Certain Multinational Managers or Executives
- EB-1 India will advance by 12 months to April 15, 2023
- EB-1 China will advance by 4.4 months to May 15, 2023
- EB-1 All other countries will remain current
EB-2 Members of the Professions and Aliens of Exceptional Ability
- EB-2 India will advance by 10 months to December 1, 2013
- EB-2 China will advance by 11 months to December 1, 2021
- EB-2 All other countries will advance by 8 months to July 15, 2024
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
- EB-3 India will advance by 14 months to August 15, 2014
- EB-3 China will advance by 12 months to January 1, 2022
- EB-3 All other countries will advance by 2 months to July 1, 2023
EB-3 Other Workers
- EB-3 India will advance by 14 months to August 15, 2014
- EB-3 China will advance by 9 months to October 1, 2018
- EB-3 All other countries will advance by 3 months to December 1, 2021
EB-4 Special Immigrants
- EB-4 will advance by 2 weeks to February 15, 2021
EB-5 Unreserved Categories (C5, T5, I5, and R5)
- EB-5 India will remain at April 1, 2022
- EB-5 China will retrogress by 3 months to July 1, 2016
- 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 | 15MAY23 | 15APR23 | C | C |
| 2nd | 15JUL24 | 01DEC21 | 01DEC13 | 15JUL24 | 15JUL24 |
| 3rd | 01JUL23 | 01JAN22 | 15AUG14 | 01JUL23 | 01JUL23 |
| Other Workers | 01DEC21 | 01OCT18 | 15AUG14 | 01DEC21 | 01DEC21 |
| 4th | 15FEB21 | 15FEB21 | 15FEB21 | 15FEB21 | 15FEB21 |
| Certain Religious Workers | U | U | U | U | U |
| 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5) |
C | 01JUL16 | 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 October 2025 Visa Bulletin, the following Final Action cutoff dates will apply for family-sponsored categories in the month of October.
F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F1 Mexico will advance by 7 months to November 22, 2005
- F1 Philippines will advance by 6 months to January 22, 2013
- F1 All other countries will advance by 3.8 months to November 8, 2016
F-2A Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
- F2A Mexico will advance by 12 months to February 1, 2023
- F2A All other countries will advance by 17 months to February 1, 2024
F-2B Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents
- F2B Mexico will advance by 8.5 months to December 15, 2007
- F2B Philippines will advance by 5 months to October 1, 2012
- F2B All other countries will advance by 1.2 months to November 22, 2016
F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F3 Mexico will advance by 2.4 months to April 15, 2001
- F3 Philippines will advance by 4.7 months to September 22, 2004
- F3 All other countries will advance by 1.2 months to September 8, 2011
F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- F4 Mexico will advance by 3.4 weeks to April 8, 2001
- F4 Philippines will advance by 2.6 months to March 22, 2006
- F4 India will remain at November 1, 2006
- F4 All other countries will advance by 1 week to January 8, 2008
*The bold represents the Visa Bulletin advancements
| Family- Sponsored |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA-mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 08NOV16 | 08NOV16 | 08NOV16 | 22NOV05 | 22JAN13 |
| F2A | 01FEB24 | 01FEB24 | 01FEB24 | 01FEB23 | 01FEB24 |
| F2B | 22NOV16 | 22NOV16 | 22NOV16 | 15DEC07 | 01OCT12 |
| F3 | 08SEP11 | 08SEP11 | 08SEP11 | 15APR01 | 22SEP04 |
| F4 | 08JAN08 | 08JAN08 | 01NOV06 | 08APR01 | 22MAR06 |
DATES FOR FILING FOR FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASES
According to the Department of State’s October 2025 Visa Bulletin, the following Dates for Filing cutoff dates will apply in the month of October.
F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F1 Mexico will advance by 4.2 months to October 8, 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 3.7 months to September 22, 2025
F-2B Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents
- F2B Mexico will advance by 8.5 months to December 15, 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 advance by 3 months to August 1, 2005
- 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 advance by 2 weeks to December 15, 2006
- F4 Worldwide and China will advance by 2 months to March 1, 2009
*The bold represents the Visa Bulletin advancements
| Family- Sponsored |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 08OCT06 | 22APR15 |
| F2A | 22SEP25 | 22SEP25 | 22SEP25 | 22SEP25 | 22SEP25 |
| F2B | 01JAN17 | 01JAN17 | 01JAN17 | 15DEC08 | 01OCT13 |
| F3 | 22JUL12 | 22JUL12 | 22JUL12 | 15JUN01 | 01AUG05 |
| F4 | 01MAR09 | 01MAR09 | 15DEC06 | 30APR01 | 01JAN08 |
Conclusion
In conclusion, the start of the fiscal year in the October Visa Bulletin brings positive movement across both employment-based and family-sponsored categories.
Employment-based Final Action Dates will generally advance modestly, with notable progress for EB-3 Other Workers, China and EB-5 India.
The Dates for Filing Chart brings more significant advancements with several categories advancing more than one year. One exception is the Date for Filing for the EB-5 China category which will retrogress by three months.
Family-sponsored categories also show major advancement, especially for F2A Mexico and Worldwide, though the Dates for Filing show smaller gains.
Overall, applicants in many key categories will benefit from improved visa wait times in the new fiscal year.
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