August 2025 Visa Bulletin Released

 

The Department of State (DOS) has issued its August 2025 Visa Bulletin. Unlike the past few months, which had steady forward movement in many categories, there will be very little movement in both family and employment-based immigrant visa categories in August. There also will be slight retrogression in one employment-based category, EB-2 worldwide. This trend may continue until October 1, 2025, which is when the new fiscal year begins and more green cards become available.

For employment-based categories, there is retrogression in the EB-2 category for all nationals except nationals of China and India. The EB-3 category will see slight forward movement for Indian nationals.

For family-based categories, the only movement we will see is in the F-4 category for India, which will move forward by almost four months.

The good news is that USCIS will continue to honor the Dates for Filing Chart for family-based green card applications in August (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 in the F-2A category for all nationals, and in the F-4 category for all nationals except nationals of India, Mexico, and the Philippines. 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 August, the EB-2 category unfortunately will retrogress by six weeks for all nationals except nationals of China and India for whom priority dates will stay the same.  The EB-3 category, including the Other Workers category (for positions requiring less than two years of training), will advance by four weeks for Indian nationals. All other Final Action dates will remain the same.

Here’s a chart for easy reference:

 
 

Family-based Movement

In August, the only movement we see is a three-month and three-week advancement in the F-4 category for nationals of India. 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 August 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 August. 

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