The U.S. Visa Bulletin for October 2025 brings long-awaited progress for Indian green card applicants, with EB-2, EB-3, and EB-5 categories advancing after years of stagnation. Here’s what’s changed and how it affects applicants.
US Visa Bulletin October 2025: Overview
| Authority | U.S. Department of State |
| Month | October 2025 |
| Program | U.S. Visa Bulletin |
| Key Focus | Family & Employment-Based Visa Categories |
| Countries Affected | India, China, Mexico, Philippines, and All Others |
| Notable Advances | EB-5 Unreserved, EB-2 India, EB-3 India, F2A (Family) |
| Official Source | travel.state.gov |
What is the U.S. Visa Bulletin?
Every month, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) releases the Visa Bulletin, which determines when foreign nationals waiting for green cards can move forward in their application process.
It includes two key tables for each visa category:
| Type | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Final Action Dates | When a visa can be issued or an adjustment approved |
| Dates for Filing | When applicants can submit paperwork to USCIS |
Due to annual per-country caps (no more than 7% of family or employment-based visas per nation), countries like India and China, with extremely high demand, face multi-year backlogs.
Why the October 2025 Bulletin Matters?
The October Visa Bulletin marks the start of a new fiscal year (FY 2026) — meaning fresh visa numbers are allocated across all categories.
For Indian nationals, who face some of the world’s longest green card queues, the October 2025 bulletin brings meaningful forward movement after years of stagnation.
“This is the first time in years we’ve seen such consistent advancement across EB and family categories,” said Rajiv Khanna, U.S. immigration attorney based in Virginia.
“It’s a welcome sign of backlog recalibration.”Also Read
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Visa Bulletin October 2025 — Key Advances for India
Employment-Based Categories
| Category | New Final Action Date (India) | Change vs. Previous Month | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 (Priority Workers) | Feb 1, 2022 | +2 months | Steady forward movement |
| EB-2 (Advanced Degrees) | Apr 1, 2013 | +3 months | Major relief for long-waiting professionals |
| EB-3 (Skilled/Professional Workers) | Sept 1, 2013 | +3 months | Matches EB-2 in movement trend |
| EB-5 (Unreserved) | Feb 1, 2021 | +15 months | Fastest movement in years |
Family-Based Categories
| Category | New Final Action Date (India) | Change vs. Previous Month | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| F2A (Spouses & Children of LPRs) | Feb 1, 2024 | +17 months | Big step toward reunification |
| F2B (Unmarried Adult Children of LPRs) | Jan 1, 2017 | +1 month | Slight improvement |
| F3 (Married Children of U.S. Citizens) | Jan 15, 2010 | No change | Still heavily backlogged |
| F4 (Siblings of U.S. Citizens) | Feb 8, 2006 | +2 weeks | Slowest category overall |
Key Highlights for October 2025
- EB-5 Jumps 15 Months Forward: The EB-5 unreserved category (for investors) advanced to February 1, 2021, creating new momentum for those who invested years ago.
- EB-2 and EB-3 Move Up 3 Months: After long stagnation, both categories advanced to April 2013 (EB-2) and September 2013 (EB-3) — a meaningful shift for tech professionals, engineers, and researchers in the backlog.
- Family-Based F2A Leaps 17 Months: Spouses and minor children of permanent residents can now move forward with applications dated before February 1, 2024, reducing separation for thousands of families.
- No Retrogression in Any Major Employment Category: Unlike recent months, no backward movement (“retrogression”) was recorded for Indian EB categories.
Eligibility Guidelines — How Priority Dates Work?
To understand who can move forward:
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Priority Date | The date USCIS received your immigrant petition (Form I-140 or I-130). |
| Final Action Date | If your priority date is before this date, your visa is ready for approval. |
| Date for Filing | If your priority date is before this date, you can submit adjustment paperwork. |
- Employment-Based Visas (EB): Minimum 140,000 issued each year.
- Family-Based Visas (FB): Capped at 226,000 annually.
- Country Limit: No nation receives more than 7% of total allocations.
“Knowing your priority date is like knowing your boarding pass number,”
explains immigration consultant Anisha Mehta. “When it’s called, you can finally get on the flight — to your green card.”
Action Steps for Applicants
Check the October 2025 Bulletin on travel.state.gov.
Compare your priority date with the new Final Action Date for your category and country.
If your date is earlier, prepare to:
- Submit Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) if in the U.S.
- Schedule consular interviews if abroad.
Employers and investors in EB-2/EB-5 should coordinate with attorneys to update supporting documents promptly.
“Movement can reverse anytime — the smartest applicants act fast when their date becomes current,”
warned attorney Emily Neufeld of Fragomen Worldwide.
Why This Bulletin Brings Hope?
The October 2025 update suggests rebalancing within visa allocations, likely due to:
- Lower demand in other countries,
- Redistribution of unused family visas, and
- Efficiency improvements within the State Department.
For Indian professionals stuck for over a decade, even a 3-month leap marks progress.
Example: EB-2 Applicant
- Priority Date: January 2013
- Current as of: October 2025 Bulletin (April 1, 2013)
This applicant can now file Form I-485 or receive a final decision, depending on the case stage.
Looking Ahead — What to Expect in 2026?
While October’s advances are promising, visa movement remains unpredictable.
Future months could bring:
- Small advances in EB-1 and EB-2 India.
- Stability in F2A as USCIS clears current cases.
- Possible retrogression in early 2026 if demand spikes.
Immigration experts expect a modest but steady movement through FY2026 if the per-country limits remain unchanged.
Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| EB-5 India | Forward by 15 months — Feb 2021 |
| EB-2 India | Forward by 3 months — Apr 2013 |
| EB-3 India | Forward by 3 months — Sept 2013 |
| F2A Family | Jumped 17 months — Feb 2024 |
| Backlog Relief | Significant for long-pending Indian applicants |
| Outlook | Positive start to FY2026 — no retrogression observed |
What Experts are Saying?
“For EB-2 and EB-3 Indian professionals, this is the most progress we’ve seen since before COVID-19,” said Cyrus Mehta, New York-based immigration attorney.
“The forward movement shows that the Department of State is finally addressing unused numbers efficiently,” added Akhil Bansal, analyst at the U.S. Migration Policy Institute.
The Bottom Line
The October 2025 Visa Bulletin delivers long-overdue optimism for Indian nationals navigating America’s complex green card system.
With EB and family categories moving forward — and no new retrogressions — thousands of professionals, investors, and families can finally advance toward permanent residency.
The movement may be incremental, but for many, it’s the first tangible sign of relief in years.
FAQs — October 2025 U.S. Visa Bulletin
What’s the biggest change in this month’s bulletin?
EB-5 India advanced by 15 months (to Feb 2021), while EB-2 and EB-3 moved forward by 3 months each.
Why does the bulletin matter?
It determines who can move ahead with green card approvals or adjustment of status filings.
What’s the new date for F2A family visas?
Spouses and children of permanent residents can file if their priority date is before Feb 1, 2024.
Will these dates move again in November 2025?
Possibly — movement depends on visa demand and processing volume each month.
How can I check my priority date?
Look at your Form I-140 or I-130 approval notice — it shows the date your petition was received.
Can retrogression happen again?
Yes, if too many applications are filed — but as of October 2025, movement remains positive.
