The U.S. Department of State has issued the Visa Bulletin for July 2025, reflecting modest advancements in employment-based immigration, particularly for Indian applicants in the EB-3 category.
The Visa Bulletin for July 2025 outlines key Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing that determine when applicants may proceed with their immigration paperwork or adjustment of status applications.
The EB-3 visa category, designated for skilled workers, professionals, and other workers, saw a one-week advancement for Indian applicants in the Final Action Dates section. This modest change provides some relief for applicants awaiting green card approvals.
To qualify under EB-3, an applicant must meet one of the following:
Skilled workers with at least two years of experience,
Professionals holding a U.S. bachelor's degree or equivalent, or
Other workers in positions that require less than two years of experience or training.
The Final Action Dates dictate whether applicants can proceed with the final stages of immigration processing. For July:
India: February 15, 2022
China: November 15, 2022 (advanced by one week)
All other countries: Current
India: January 1, 2013 (unchanged)
China: December 15, 2020 (advanced by two weeks)
All other countries: October 15, 2023
India: April 22, 2013 (advanced by one week)
China: December 1, 2020 (advanced by one week)
Mexico & Others: April 1, 2023 (advanced by seven weeks)
Philippines: February 8, 2023 (unchanged)
India: April 22, 2013
China: May 1, 2017
All other countries: July 8, 2021
India: May 1, 2019
China: January 22, 2014
All other countries: Current
All countries: Current
These dates indicate when applicants can submit documents to the National Visa Center (NVC) even if visas are not yet available.
India: April 15, 2022
China: January 1, 2023
All other countries: Current
India: February 1, 2013
China: January 1, 2021
All other countries: November 15, 2023
India: June 8, 2013
China: December 22, 2020
All other countries: May 1, 2023
India: June 8, 2013
China: January 1, 2018
All other countries: July 22, 2021
All countries: February 1, 2021
India: April 1, 2022
China: October 1, 2016
All other countries: Current
All countries: Current
The fiscal year 2025 cap for family-sponsored preference immigrants is 226,000, while the worldwide limit for employment-based preference immigrants is set at a minimum of 140,000.
Under U.S. immigration rules, each country is subject to a 7% cap, or 25,620 visas, while dependent areas have a 2% limit, equating to 7,320 visas.
First (F1): Unmarried sons/daughters of U.S. citizens – 23,400 plus any unused fourth preference numbers
Second (F2): Spouses and unmarried children of permanent residents – 114,200
F2A: 77% of second preference (75% exempt from per-country limit)
F2B: 23% of second preference
Third (F3): Married sons/daughters of U.S. citizens – 23,400
Fourth (F4): Siblings of adult U.S. citizens – 65,000
USCIS noted that when a particular category or country is oversubscribed, the Final Action Date is determined by the earliest unprocessed priority date that exceeds numerical limits.
According to USCIS rules, all allocation decisions were made in chronological order based on reported priority dates for applications received by January 6.
Conclusion:
The July 2025 US Visa Bulletin offers a glimmer of hope for Indian professionals and skilled workers, with a modest one-week advancement in the EB-3 category. While EB-1 and EB-2 categories for India remain unchanged, the minor progress in EB-3 indicates a cautiously positive trend. The bulletin also reflects broader movements for countries like China and others, showing more significant advancements.
As visa backlogs continue to affect thousands of skilled workers, professionals, and families waiting for permanent residency, these updates serve as an important checkpoint in their immigration journey. Stakeholders, especially Indian applicants, are advised to closely track future bulletins and consult immigration experts for timely application decisions and strategy adjustments.
The evolving visa landscape underscores the need for reforms to address long wait times—particularly for countries like India that face disproportionately high demand in employment-based categories.