The August 2025 Visa Bulletin is now available, and the updates affect both family-sponsored and employment-based green card categories. The current priority date decides everything. This time, you will know from the Visa Bulletin whether your green card application can be filed now or you will have to wait more.
At Orange Law, we review these monthly bulletins to help individuals and families understand their next legal steps. Here’s a clear summary of what this month’s visa bulletin means for different categories.
Who Should Pay Attention to the August Bulletin?
Each month, the U.S. Department of State sets cut-off dates to show which green card applicants can move forward based on visa availability. These dates are important if:
- Your petition has already been approved, and
- You are waiting for a visa number to become available based on your priority date.
In August 2025, USCIS confirmed the following:
- Family-based categories must follow the Dates for Filing chart.
- Employment-based categories must follow the Final Action Dates chart.
Summary of Family-Based Green Card Updates
F-2A: Spouses and Children (Under 21) of Green Card Holders
This category saw forward movement of one month for all countries.
New Cut-Off Date: April 1, 2025
Previous: March 1, 2025
This remains the most favorable family category and continues to process quickly compared to others.
F-1, F-2B, F-3: No Movement
Categories for unmarried adult children and married children of U.S. citizens remain unchanged across all regions. These backlogs remain lengthy, especially for Mexico and the Philippines.
F-4: Siblings of U.S. Citizens
A notable forward shift of 3 months and 3 weeks was seen for applicants from China and all other countries.
New Cut-Off Date: January 1, 2009
Previous: September 8, 2008
This is the most significant change in the family-based chart this month.
Summary of Employment-Based Green Card Updates
EB-1: No Changes
This category remains Current for most regions except China and India.
- India: Still at February 15, 2022
- China: Still at November 15, 2022
Applicants from countries other than India or China can proceed without delay.
EB-2: Cut-Off Date Moved Back
For All Other Countries, Mexico, and the Philippines, the EB-2 category moved backward by 1 month and 2 weeks due to high demand.
New Date: September 1, 2023
Previous: October 15, 2023
India and China remain unchanged, with India’s date holding at January 1, 2013.
EB-3 India: Small Improvement
India moved forward by one month in both the Skilled Worker and Other Worker categories.
New Cut-Off: May 22, 2013
Previous: April 22, 2013
This modest movement could allow more Indian applicants to file in August.
EB-4: Category Closed
At present, EB-4 category visas are not being issued for any country. These will remain on hold until the new visa quota opens in October.
EB-5: Big Advancement
The EB-5 category saw major progress:
- China: Forward by 1 year, 10 months (New Cut-Off: December 8, 2015)
- India: Forward by 6.5 months (New Cut-Off: November 15, 2019)
All other countries remain Current, so investors from those regions can proceed immediately.
What Is a Priority Date and Why Does It Matter?
Your priority date is the day your petition was officially received by USCIS. It determines your place in line. Once the cut-off date in the Visa Bulletin passes your priority date, you become eligible to take the next step in the green card process—whether that’s filing for Adjustment of Status in the U.S. or proceeding with Consular Processing abroad.
What Should You Do If Your Date Is Current?
If your number has now come before the cut-off date given in the bulletin:
- Inside the U.S.? File Form I-485 to adjust your status.
- Outside the U.S.? Schedule a consular interview once notified by the National Visa Center.
Be sure your documents are updated and that you respond quickly to any requests. If you have any doubts, contact an immigration attorney to review your eligibility.
What If Your Date Is Not Current Yet?
Even if your date hasn’t reached the cut-off, you can still prepare:
- Double-check your records: Ensure your application details match USCIS and NVC records.
- Update contact info: Delays often happen due to missed communications.
- Monitor the Visa Bulletin monthly: Trends can help you anticipate future changes.
Some categories may experience retrogression, where cut-off dates move backward. Others can jump forward unexpectedly. Having legal representation can help you respond to these shifts quickly.
Orange Law Can Help
Understanding Visa Bulletin and tracking your green card timing is not easy for everyone. Orange Law experts check every month’s updates in detail and provide proper guidance to clients.
- Filing strategies
- Adjustment of Status vs. Consular Processing
- Document readiness and timelines
- Category-specific eligibility
- Risks of delay or retrogression
We handle each case with close attention to timing, accuracy, and communication.
Call Orange Law at 713-885-9787 to speak with an experienced immigration attorney today.
