One of the most important steps in obtaining a U.S. green card is waiting for your priority date to become current. After investing time, effort, and resources into an immigrant visa, many applicants ask: “How long will it take for my priority date to be current?” and “Is there any way to speed up the process?”
At Green Card Link, our immigration attorneys regularly publish monthly updates on the U.S. Visa Bulletin, analyze current trends, and provide insights into what applicants can expect in the coming months. Below, we review the October 2025 Visa Bulletin—the first release of the new fiscal year—and highlight the most significant changes, predictions, and filing guidance to help you plan your next steps.
November 2025 Visa Bulletin Overview
The U.S. Department of State has released the October 2025 Visa Bulletin, bringing several developments in both employment-based (EB) and family-based green card categories. While many categories experienced steady progress, the bulletin also introduced a few substantial advancements that bring optimism to thousands of applicants.
Major Changes and Notable Advancements
Employment-Based Categories: Filing Dates Now Open
A major update this month is that applicants in employment-based categories can now use the “Dates for Filing” chart, allowing more individuals to begin preparing their adjustment of status (AOS) applications earlier.
The EB-5 India category saw a significant leap of nearly 15 months, reaching a Final Action Date of February 1, 2021, marking a rare and favorable opportunity for Indian investors.
Additionally, the EB-4 non-special religious worker category has reopened with a Final Action Date of July 1, 2020, after being unavailable for several months. However, the Special Religious Worker (SR) program remains unavailable pending a possible extension by Congress.
Key Employment-Based Updates
- EB-2 Worldwide advanced by three months to December 1, 2023.
- EB-2 and EB-3 for India and China each moved forward by roughly three months.
- EB-3 Philippines advanced by approximately seven weeks.
- EB-1 China moved ahead by about five weeks.
- Some categories, including EB-1 India and EB-3 Worldwide, remained unchanged.
Visa Bulletin Predictions for FY 2026
The overall employment-based visa cap for Fiscal Year 2026 is set at 140,000, slightly lower than last year’s total of 150,037 visas. This reduction means that forward movement in upcoming bulletins may be gradual rather than rapid.
The Dates for Filing chart shows notable advancements—EB-1 India moved forward to April 15, 2023, and EB-1 China to May 15, 2023.
However, expect EB-4 (non-SR) categories to remain stable, while EB-5 India may progress slowly after its recent jump.
Overall, applicants can anticipate modest but steady movement in most categories, depending on visa demand and government policy shifts.
Next Steps: How to Strategize Your Green Card Process
Timing is crucial when deciding whether to interfile, downgrade, or transfer categories.
If your priority date is current or close to becoming current, now is the time to prepare your application package.
If you are still waiting, consider discussing alternative visa options or long-term immigration strategies with an immigration attorney at Green Card Link.
Adjustment of Status (AOS) Filing Guidance
USCIS has issued updated filing instructions:
- Employment-Based Categories: Applicants may now use the “Dates for Filing” chart, allowing early submission, though approval will still depend on the Final Action Date.
- Family-Sponsored Categories: Applicants must continue to use the Dates for Filing chart.
Understanding the Difference:
- Final Action Dates determine when a green card (Form I-485 or immigrant visa) can be approved.
- Filing Dates determine when an applicant can submit Form I-485.
If your Adjustment of Status is already pending, your priority date must be current under the Final Action chart before USCIS can approve your case. Applicants considering interfiling (changing preference categories during processing) should consult immigration attorneys at Green Card Link for guidance on eligibility and strategy.
Monitoring Future Trends
As the fiscal year progresses, expect fluctuations in demand and potential retrogressions.
At Green Card Link, its immigration attorneys continuously monitor visa bulletin updates and provide monthly projections to keep applicants informed of any movement that could impact their cases.
Family-Based Green Cards: Updates and Filing Dates
Family-sponsored immigration falls into four preference levels, determined by the relationship between the sponsor and the applicant. These are divided among five chargeability areas: China, India, Mexico, the Philippines, and all other countries.
Due to lingering backlogs and limited consular operations, family-based visas continue to face slow processing times. However, unused visas in this category often roll over into employment-based quotas, creating opportunities for EB applicants.
Key Movement Highlights (Family-Based Filing Chart)
Category | Rest of the World | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
F-1 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 08OCT06 (+129 days) | 22APR15 |
F-2A | 22SEP25 (+113 days) | same | same | same | same |
F-2B | 01JAN17 | same | same | 15DEC08 (+258 days) | 01OCT13 |
F-3 | 22JUL12 | same | same | 15JUN01 | 01AUG05 |
F-4 | 01MAR09 (+59 days) | same | 15DEC06 (+14 days) | 30APR01 | 01JAN08 |
Note: Numbers in brackets indicate movement compared to the previous month.
Family-Based Final Action Chart
Category | Rest of the World | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
F-1 | 08NOV16 (+116 days) | same | same | 22NOV05 (+214 days) | 22JAN13 (+191 days) |
F-2A | 01FEB24 (+518 days) | same | same | 01FEB22 (+365 days) | same |
F-2B | 22NOV16 (+38 days) | same | same | 15DEC07 (+258 days) | 01OCT12 (+153 days) |
F-3 | 08SEP11 (+38 days) | same | same | 15APR01 (+73 days) | 22SEP04 (+144 days) |
F-4 | 08JAN08 (+7 days) | same | 01NOV06 | 08APR01 (+24 days) | 22MAR06 (+80 days) |
Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens (spouses, parents, and unmarried minor children) are not subject to priority date backlogs.
Employment-Based Green Cards: Final Action Dates
Category | Rest of World | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
EB-1 | Current | 22DEC22 | 15FEB22 | Current | Current |
EB-2 | 01DEC23 (+91 days) | 01APR21 (+107 days) | 01APR13 (+90 days) | same | same |
EB-3 | 01APR23 | 01MAR21 (+90 days) | 22AUG13 (+92 days) | same | same |
EB-3 Other | 15JUL21 (+7 days) | 01DEC17 (+214 days) | 22AUG13 (+92 days) | same | same |
EB-4 | 01JUL20 | 01JUL20 | 01JUL20 | 01JUL20 | 01JUL20 |
EB-5 (Unreserved) | Current | 08DEC15 | 01FEB21 | Current | Current |
USCIS has directed applicants to use the Final Action chart for employment-based Adjustment of Status filings this month.
Employment-Based Filing Dates Chart
Category | Rest of World | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
EB-1 | Current | 15MAY23 (+134 days) | 15APR23 | Current | Current |
EB-2 | 15JUL24 (+243 days) | 01DEC21 (+334 days) | 01DEC13 (+303 days) | same | same |
EB-3 | 01JUL23 (+61 days) | 01JAN22 (+375 days) | 15AUG14 (+433 days) | same | same |
EB-3 Other | 01DEC21 (+132 days) | 01OCT18 (+273 days) | 15AUG14 (+433 days) | same | same |
EB-4 | 15FEB21 (+14 days) across all countries | ||||
EB-5 (Unreserved) | Current | 01JUL16 (-92 days) | 01APR22 | Current | Current |
Important November 2025 Visa Bulletin Dates
If you’re new to the green card process, understanding the terms and timelines in the Visa Bulletin is essential. Each month, the U.S. Department of State releases updated visa availability dates that determine when applicants can move forward in the green card process. To ensure you’re interpreting these updates correctly, it’s always best to consult with an immigration attorney at Green Card Link for personalized guidance.
Understanding Visa Bulletin Terms
Priority Dates
When you file a green card petition with USCIS, you receive a priority date—the official date the government received your petition. This date determines your place in line for an immigrant visa. You’ll need to track this date carefully and compare it against the monthly Visa Bulletin to know when your case becomes current.
Keep in mind that your priority date does not change unless specific exceptions apply. However, immediate relatives of U.S. citizens—such as spouses, parents, and unmarried children under 21—do not need to worry about priority dates since their category is always current.
Final Action Dates
Final action dates depend on two factors: your green card category and your country of chargeability (usually your country of birth). These dates shift each month based on visa demand and the number of green cards issued for each country.
- If green cards remain available, the final action date moves forward (closer to your priority date).
- If the annual limit is reached, the date may stall or even retrogress, meaning it moves backward.
Once your priority date matches or becomes earlier than the final action date for your category, your case becomes current, allowing you to either adjust status in the U.S. or proceed with consular processing abroad.
Date for Filing Charts and Form I-485
Every month’s Visa Bulletin includes two charts per category:
- Date for Filing Chart: Indicates when you can submit your final immigrant visa application or Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status).
- Final Action Date Chart: Shows when a visa number is actually available for approval.
USCIS announces which chart to follow each month—usually within a week of the Visa Bulletin’s release. Applicants should always confirm which chart applies before submitting any filings.
Can You Shorten Your Waiting Time?
While the process can be lengthy, there are limited options to potentially speed things up:
1. Premium Processing for I-140 Petitions
If your category allows, you may opt for premium processing by paying an additional fee. This service shortens the standard I-140 processing time from about six months to just 15 business days. However, this only applies to certain employment-based categories.
2. Green Card “Porting”
Porting means transferring your petition to a higher preference category to take advantage of shorter waiting times. Although you’ll need to file a new petition (and possibly a new PERM labor certification), you may retain your original priority date.
Because porting can be complex and highly technical, you should always consult with an immigration attorney at Green Card Link before making this decision.
Staying Up-to-Date
Immigration regulations and Visa Bulletin updates can change rapidly. Staying informed helps you make better, faster decisions about your case. To keep track of the latest movements, visit the U.S. Department of State’s Visa Bulletin each month or follow Green Card Link for expert updates and explanations.
How Green Card Link Can Help
With long waiting periods and detailed eligibility requirements, having expert legal help from the start can make all the difference. The immigration attorneys at Green Card Link have years of experience helping individuals and families secure green cards through both employment and family-based categories.
Whether you’re tracking your priority date or preparing to file Form I-485, Green Card Link can help you avoid delays and costly mistakes while maximizing your chances of success.