The US Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs has some good news for Indian applicants eyeing an American visa. The Visa Bulletin for January 2025, has shown notable progress in employment-based (EB) and family-sponsored visa categories, that could particularly benefit applicants from India.
The US Visa Bulletin is a monthly publication by the Department of State that provides information on the availability of immigrant visa numbers for applicants waiting to apply for a green card in the United States.
The limit for family-sponsored category immigrants has been set at 2,26,000, while the annual cap for employment-based preference immigrants has been kept at 1,40,000.
US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) data shows that over a million Indians are waiting for green cards. The Congressional Research Service (CRS) estimated the backlog for Indians in employment-based categories to reach 21.9 lakh by FY 2030. That is estimated to take195 years to clear.
Indians in the US, now a community of five million, have become one of the most influential immigrant groups in the country.
FAMILY-SPONSORED VISA PREFERENCE CASES
The fiscal year 2025 limit for family-sponsored preference immigrants is set at 2,26,000, with the per-country limit for preference immigrants fixed at 7% of the total annual family-sponsored visas.
In the US Visa Bulletin for 2025, there are several key changes in this category:
First Preference (F1) – For Indians in this category, the final action date has advanced by one month, from October 22, 2015, to November 22, 2015. This category is reserved for unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens. However, there is no change in the dates for filing family-sponsored visa applications, which remain at September 1, 2017.
Second Preference (F2A and F2B) – The final action date for the F2A category (spouses and children of permanent residents) remains unchanged at January 1, 2022. However, for the F2B category (unmarried sons and daughters of permanent residents), the final action date has advanced slightly, by just a few days, from May 1, 2016, to May 22, 2016.
Third Preference (F3) – In this family-sponsored visa category, which includes married sons and daughters of US citizens, the final action date has moved forward by approximately two months, from April 15, 2010, to July 1, 2010. The date for filing applications has also advanced, from April 22, 2012, to July 22, 2012.
Fourth Preference (F4) – In this category, which includes brothers and sisters of adult US citizens, the final action date has advanced to April 8, 2006, from the previous date of March 8, 2006. The filing date has also moved forward slightly, from August 1, 2006, to August 15, 2006.
EMPLOYMENT-BASED VISA PREFERENCE CASES
The worldwide cap for annual employment-based preference for immigrants is at least 1,40,000.
In this category, the filing dates remain unchanged, with only the final action dates being modified.
First Preference (EB-1) – In this employment-based visa category, which includes priority workers, the final action date remains unchanged at February 1, 2022.
An estimated 1,43,497 Indians are waiting in this backlog.
Second Preference (EB-2) – The final action date for the EB-2 visa category, which includes members of professionals holding advanced degrees or persons of exceptional ability, has advanced from August 1, 2012, to October 1, 2012. An estimated 8,38,784 Indians are waiting in this backlog.
Third Preference (EB-3) – For Indians seeking green cards in this category, which includes skilled workers, professionals, and other workers, the final action date has advanced by one month, from November 8, 2012, to December 1, 2012.
According to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), 1,38,581 Indians are in the employment-based third preference (EB-3) category. The National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP) estimates an additional 1,38,581 dependents, bringing the total to 2,77,162 Indians in the EB-3 backlog.
Fourth Preference (EB-4) – This category, which includes certain special immigrants, has its final action date unchanged at January 1, 2021.
Fifth Preference (EB-5) – This category, which includes employment creation, also remains unchanged, with the final action date set at January 1, 2022.
The terms, ‘final action date’ and ‘dates for filing’ are terms used in the US Visa Bulletin to manage the allocation of immigrant visas based on visa categories and country quotas.
While the ‘final action date’ is the date when immigrant visa applicants can be scheduled for an interview at a US embassy or consulate. The ‘date for filing’ is the earliest date you can submit your application for adjustment of status or for an immigrant visa.