May 2025 Visa Bulletin Released

 

The Department of State (DOS) has issued its May 2025 Visa Bulletin. Compared to the forward movement in April, there will be minimal movement of priority dates in May.

For employment-based categories, the only progression we will see is EB–3 India, which will advance by two weeks. 

For family-based categories, nationals of Mexico will see forward movement in the F-1 category. Additionally, nationals of the Philippines will see progression in F-2B, F-3, and F-4 categories. Lastly, all nationals except for nationals of India and Mexico will see forward movement in the F-4 category. All other categories will remain the same. 

USCIS will continue to honor the Dates for Filing Chart for family-based green card applications in May (chart provided further below). However, employment-based green card applications will need to use the Final Action Dates Chart. This month, the Dates for Filing will advance for all nationals in the F-2A category, as well as all nationals except India, Mexico, and the Philippines in the F-4 category. These dates are further ahead than the Final Action Dates, so beneficiaries of family-based immigrant petitions can get their applications filed and obtain interim benefits for employment and travel until the government can actually approve their application.

Employment-Based Movement 

In May, the EB-3 category for skilled workers, professionals and other workers will move forward by two weeks for nationals of India. All other Final Action Dates will remain the same.

Here’s a chart for easy reference:

Family-based Movement

In May, the F-1 category will advance by nearly four months for Mexican nationals. For nationals of the Philippines, the F-2B category will move forward by two weeks, and the F-3 category will advance by six months. In the F-4 category, all nationals will see a five-month advancement, except for India and Mexico, for whom there will be no progression. All other Final Action Dates will remain the same.

Here’s a chart for easy reference:

As mentioned previously, USCIS will honor the Dates for Filing chart (further below) for the family-based immigrant visa categories. 

By way of reminder, the categories are:

  • F-1 category:  unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens

  • F2-A category: spouses and children under 21 of lawful permanent residents

  • F2-B category: unmarried adult children (over 21) of lawful permanent residents

  • F-3 category:  married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens

  • F-4 category:  siblings of U.S. citizens

WHAT DATES IN THE VISA BULLETIN SHOULD YOU USE FOR FILING YOUR ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS APPLICATION WITH USCIS?

If USCIS determines that there are more immigrant visas available for a fiscal year than there are known applicants for such visas, then USCIS will state here that you may use the Dates for Filing Visa Applications chart in the Department of State Visa Bulletin, which usually has dates later than the Final Action Dates noted above. Otherwise, USCIS will indicate on its website that you must use the Application Final Action Dates chart (above) to determine when you may file your adjustment of status application in the United States.

For May 2025, USCIS has confirmed the Dates for Filing (below) should be used for family-based categories. Employment-based categories must use the Final Action Dates (above).

If the priority date for your family-based category is before the date listed above and you are in the United States, you may file your application to adjust your status along with the applications for employment authorization and travel permission (assuming you have no bars to admissibility) with USCIS in May. 

The entire visa bulletin is available on the State Department’s website, which includes information on the diversity visa lottery and the EB-5 priority dates. 

If you would like more information on how to understand the monthly visa bulletin, please check out our blog post on this topic and our podcast available here. 

This alert is for informational purposes only.  Please contact us if you would like to discuss these developments further. 

 
Nadia Yakoob