The Visa Bulletin for May 2025 provides critical updates on the availability of immigrant visa numbers for family-sponsored and employment-based categories. Below is a detailed breakdown of the key information from the bulletin, including Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing Applications.
Family-Sponsored Preference Categories
Final Action Dates
The Final Action Dates chart indicates when immigrant visas are authorized for issuance to applicants whose priority dates fall before the listed date. For May 2025, the following updates apply:
- F1 (Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens):
- All countries except Mexico and the Philippines: December 15, 2014.
- Mexico: January 1, 2002.
- Philippines: March 1, 2012.
- F2A (Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents):
- All countries (Exempt from per-country limit): Current.
- Subject to per-country limit (excluding Mexico): Priority dates earlier than May 15, 2021.
- Mexico: Exempt from per-country limit; all priority dates earlier than January 1, 2022.
- F2B (Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents):
- All countries except Mexico and the Philippines: September 22, 2015.
- Mexico: April 8, 2000.
- Philippines: October 22, 2011.
- F3 (Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens):
- All countries except Mexico and the Philippines: November 8, 2009.
- Mexico: August 15, 1997.
- Philippines: June 15, 2002.
- F4 (Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens):
- All countries except India, Mexico, and the Philippines: September 15, 2007.
- India: February 22, 2006.
- Mexico: April 22, 1998.
- Philippines: August 15, 2002.
Dates for Filing Applications
The Dates for Filing Applications chart allows applicants to submit required documentation if their priority date is earlier than the listed date:
- F1:
- All countries except Mexico and the Philippines: January 15, 2016.
- Mexico: February 8, 2003.
- Philippines: July 22, 2014.
- F2A:
- Current across all chargeability areas.
- F2B:
- All countries except Mexico and the Philippines: March 8, 2017.
- Mexico: August 8, 2000.
- Philippines: April 22, 2013.
- F3:
- All countries except Mexico and the Philippines: February 8, 2010.
- Mexico: December 15 1999.
- Philippines: October 12 2003.
- F4:
- All countries except India/Mexico/Philippines—April 10th cutoff applies.
Priority Dates for the Visa Bulletin in May 2025
The Visa Bulletin for May 2025 provides the priority dates for both family-sponsored preference categories and employment-based preference categories. Below is a detailed breakdown of the priority dates as per the bulletin:
Family-Sponsored Preference Categories
The family-sponsored immigrant visa categories are divided into four preferences (F1, F2A, F2B, F3, and F4). The priority dates indicate when applicants can proceed with their applications based on their filing date.
- F1 – Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- All countries except Mexico and the Philippines: 01DEC14
- Mexico: 01APR02
- Philippines: 01MAR12
- F2A – Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
- Numbers exempt from per-country limits (all countries): 15MAY21
- Numbers subject to per-country limits:
- All countries except Mexico: Priority dates between 15MAY21 and earlier than 01JAN22
- Mexico: Exempt from per-country limits (15MAY21)
- F2B – Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years or older) of Permanent Residents
- All countries except Mexico and the Philippines: 22SEP15
- Mexico: 01JUN01
- Philippines: 22OCT11
- F3 – Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- All countries except Mexico and the Philippines: 08NOV08
- Mexico: 08APR97
- Philippines: 08JUN02
- F4 – Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- All countries except India, Mexico, and the Philippines: 15FEB08
- India: 22SEP05
- Mexico: 15AUG97
- Philippines: 22AUG02
Employment-Based Preference Categories
Employment-based immigrant visas are categorized into five preferences (EB-1 through EB-5). The priority dates reflect when applicants can proceed with their applications.
- EB-1 – Priority Workers (Extraordinary Ability, Outstanding Professors/Researchers, Multinational Executives)
- All countries except China and India: Current (C)
- China-mainland born: 08NOV22
- India: 15FEB22
- EB-2 – Members of Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability
- All countries except China and India: Current (C)
- China-mainland born: 01OCT20
- India: Retrogressed to an earlier date (01JAN13)
- EB-3 – Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers A. Professionals/Skilled Workers: – All countries except China and India: Current (C) – China-mainland born: Stalled at (01NOV20) B.Other workers subcategory: Same as above but retrogressed slightly further.
How to Check Your Eligibility Based on the May 2025 Visa Bulletin
To determine your eligibility for filing or final action based on the May 2025 Visa Bulletin, follow these steps:
Step 1: Understand the Key Terms in the Visa Bulletin
The Visa Bulletin provides two critical charts for determining eligibility:
- Final Action Dates: These dates indicate when visas can be issued or when adjustment of status applications can be approved.
- Dates for Filing Applications: These dates allow applicants to submit their documentation to begin processing, even if a visa number is not yet available.
Each chart is divided into categories:
- Family-Sponsored Preferences (F1, F2A, F2B, F3, F4): For family-based immigration.
- Employment-Based Preferences (EB-1 through EB-5): For employment-based immigration.
- Diversity Visa (DV) Category: For lottery-based green cards.
Step 2: Identify Your Immigration Category
Determine which category applies to you:
- If you are applying through a family member, check the Family-Sponsored Preferences section.
- If you are applying through an employer or investment, check the Employment-Based Preferences section.
- If you were selected in the Diversity Visa Lottery, refer to the Diversity Immigrant (DV) Category.
For example:
- An unmarried adult child of a U.S. citizen falls under F1 (Family First Preference).
- A professional with an advanced degree sponsored by a U.S. employer falls under EB-2 (Employment Second Preference).
Step 3: Locate Your Priority Date
Your priority date is typically:
- The date your immigrant petition (Form I-130 or Form I-140) was filed and accepted by USCIS.
- For Diversity Visas, it is based on your regional rank number from the lottery selection.
Step 4: Compare Your Priority Date with the May 2025 Visa Bulletin
Family-Sponsored Preferences
For May 2025, here are some key details from the bulletin:
- F2A (Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents):
- Final Action Dates: Current for all countries except Mexico; priority dates earlier than May 15, 2021, are eligible for issuance.
- Dates for Filing Applications: Applicants with priority dates earlier than January 1, 2022, can file their applications.
- Other Family Categories:
- F1 (Unmarried Sons/Daughters of U.S. Citizens): Final Action Date remains at December 15, 2014.
- F3 (Married Sons/Daughters of U.S. Citizens): Final Action Date remains at November 8, 2008.
- F4 (Siblings of U.S. Citizens): Final Action Date remains at March 22, 2007.
Employment-Based Preferences
For May 2025:
- EB Categories for India:
- EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers advanced slightly to April 15, 2013.
- EB-5 Unreserved retrogressed six months due to high demand.
- Other Countries:
- EB-1 remains current except for China and India (stuck at February/March dates).
- EB categories like EB-3 remain unchanged for most regions except minor advancements in specific subcategories.
Diversity Visa Lottery
For DV applicantsThe cutoff numbers vary by region but ensure your rank number is below the listed allocation cutoff number in your region to proceed with visa issuance.
Step 5: Determine Which Chart Applies to You
Check whether USCIS allows applicants to use “Dates for Filing” instead of “Final Action Dates” during May. This information is updated monthly on USCIS’s website.
Step 6: Take Action Based on Eligibility
If your priority date is earlier than the relevant cutoff date in either chart:
- Assemble required documents as per instructions from USCIS or NVC.
- Submit Form DS-260 if applying abroad or Form I-485 if adjusting status within the U.S., depending on your situation.
If your priority date does not meet any cutoff dates yet: Continue monitoring future Visa Bulletins until it becomes current.
In summary, compare your priority date against both “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing Applications” in the May Visa Bulletin based on your immigration category and country of chargeability. Ensure you also verify whether USCIS permits using “Dates for Filing” that month before proceeding.
Changes in the Visa Bulletin for May 2025
The Visa Bulletin for May 2025 has been released, and it provides updates on the availability of immigrant visa numbers across family-sponsored, employment-based, and diversity visa categories. Below is a detailed breakdown of the changes and what applicants can expect based on the information available.
How Does the Visa Bulletin for May 2025 Affect Family-Sponsored Visas?
The Visa Bulletin for May 2025, issued by the U.S. Department of State, provides critical updates on the availability of family-sponsored immigrant visas. These updates are essential for applicants waiting to adjust their status or apply for an immigrant visa at a U.S. consulate abroad. The bulletin outlines two key charts: Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing Applications, which determine when applicants can proceed with their cases.
Below is a detailed breakdown of how the May 2025 Visa Bulletin impacts family-sponsored visas:
Family-Sponsored Preference Categories Overview
Family-sponsored visas are divided into preference categories under Section 203(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). These categories include:
- F1: Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years or older) of U.S. citizens.
- F2A: Spouses and children (under 21 years old) of lawful permanent residents.
- F2B: Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years or older) of lawful permanent residents.
- F3: Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.
- F4: Brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens.
Each category has a specific annual numerical limit, with unused numbers from one category sometimes rolling over to another.
Key Updates in the May 2025 Visa Bulletin
Final Action Dates
The “Final Action Dates” chart indicates when an immigrant visa number is available, meaning that applicants whose priority dates fall before these dates can have their applications adjudicated.
- F2A Category (Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents):
- For most countries, the final action date advanced significantly to May 15, 2021, reflecting progress in processing this category.
- For Mexico, F2A remains exempt from per-country limits, allowing more applicants to proceed without delay.
- Other Family-Based Categories:
- The F4 category (siblings of U.S. citizens) saw modest advancements by about two months for most countries except India and Mexico.
- The F3 category (married sons/daughters of U.S. citizens) remained largely unchanged.
- No movement was observed in the F1 or F2B categories across all chargeability areas.
Dates for Filing Applications
The “Dates for Filing” chart allows applicants to submit required documentation earlier than the final action date if their priority date is before the listed cut-off date.
- For May 2025, USCIS announced that family-based applicants must use this chart to determine eligibility for filing adjustment-of-status applications within the United States.
- Most family-based categories experienced no significant changes in filing dates compared to April 2025.
Specific Impacts on Applicants
F2A Category
This category saw notable advancements in both Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing:
- Applicants worldwide with priority dates before May 15, 2021, can now proceed with their cases.
- This advancement benefits spouses and minor children of green card holders by reducing wait times significantly compared to previous months.
F4 Category
For siblings of U.S. citizens:
- Modest progress was made globally except for India and Mexico, where backlogs remain severe due to high demand.
- Applicants from other regions may experience slightly shorter wait times as a result.
Retrogression Risks
While some categories advanced, retrogression remains a possibility in oversubscribed areas like India, Mexico, China, and the Philippines due to per-country caps limiting visa issuance to no more than 7% annually per country. This means future bulletins could reverse progress if demand exceeds supply.
Broader Implications
The May 2025 Visa Bulletin highlights ongoing challenges in managing family-based immigration:
- High demand continues to create long backlogs in certain categories like F4 (siblings) and F3 (married children).
- Per-country limits exacerbate delays for applicants from high-demand countries such as India, Mexico, China, and the Philippines.
- Advancements in categories like F2A demonstrate efforts by USCIS and DOS to prioritize immediate relatives where possible.
Applicants should monitor future bulletins closely as changes occur monthly based on demand trends.
The Visa Bulletin for May 2025 brings significant advancements in certain family-sponsored visa categories like F2A while maintaining stability or minimal movement in others such as F1, F3, and F4. Applicants should carefully review both Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing charts to determine eligibility for proceeding with their cases during this period.
