October 2025 Visa Bulletin: Latest Updates and What’s Current
Index
- October 2025 Visa Bulletin Summary and Key Highlights
- What This Month Really Means
- DV-2026 Green Card Lottery: November 2025 Cut-off Numbers
- Visa Bulletin Charts and Key Terms Explained
- Employment-Based (EB) Green Card Categories Explained
- Family-Based Green Card Categories Explained
- FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASES FINAL ACTION DATES
- FAMILY-SPONSORED VISA APPLICATIONS DATES FOR FILING
- EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES FINAL ACTION DATES
- EMPLOYMENT-BASED VISA APPLICATIONS DATES FOR FILING
The U.S. Department of State released the first Visa Bulletin of fiscal year 2026.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that, for October, both family- and employment-based applicants must use the Dates for Filing chart. This allows thousands of applicants living in the U.S. to submit their Green Card applications (Form I-485, Adjustment of Status) earlier than expected.
As the new fiscal year begins, both family- and employment-based categories have seen notable forward movement.
October 2025 Visa Bulletin Summary and Key Highlights
Family-Based Categories
- F2A (Spouses and unmarried children under 21 of Green Card holders):
In the Dates for Filing chart, the F-2A category advanced by about 3 months and 3 weeks for all countries. The priority date moved from June 1, 2025 (September bulletin) to September 22, 2025 (October bulletin). In practice, this means that if your I-130 petition was filed on or before September 22, 2025 and you are currently in the U.S., you can move forward with your I-485 Green Card application in October 2025.
Important: This forward movement is a major opportunity for families waiting for reunification. To take advantage of it, applicants should update marriage and birth records, prepare financial documents, and complete the required forms (Form I-485 if inside the U.S., or DS-260 if abroad) without delay. Scheduling the medical exam on time and seeking professional guidance will also help avoid unnecessary delays.
A 17-month jump brings the cut-off (final action) date to February 1, 2024. This is a historic development for thousands of families, though the risk of retrogression remains.
Other Dates for Filing Highlights:
F2B (Mexico): Advanced by over 8 months.
F1 (Mexico): Advanced by more than 4 months.
F3 (Philippines): Advanced by 3 months.
F4: Advanced by 2 months for China and “All Other Areas,” and by 2 weeks for India.
Other Significant Final Action Dates (Cut-Off Dates):
- F1 Mexico advanced by 7 months and the Philippines by 6 months. F2B Mexico moved ahead 8.5 months and the Philippines by 5 months. In the F4 category, the Philippines advanced 2.5 months and Mexico 3 weeks.
Employment-Based Categories:
- EB-1: In the Dates for Filing chart, the dates for China and India advanced to May 15, 2023, and April 15, 2023, respectively.
- The Final Action Date is current for worldwide, Mexico, and Philippines. For China, it moved to December 22, 2022. For India, it stayed at February 15, 2022.
- EB-2: In the Dates for Filing chart, worldwide applicants advanced to July 15, 2024, China to December 1, 2021, and India to December 1, 2013.
This reflects an 8-month jump, creating a meaningful opportunity for new filing.
The Final Action Date for worldwide applicants advanced to December 1, 2023. China moved to April 1, 2021, and India to April 1, 2013. - In the EB-3 category, the dates for filing advanced as follows: worldwide applicants to July 1, 2023; China to January 1, 2022; and India to August 15, 2014.
These are substantial forward movements, especially for India (+1 year, 2 months) and China (+1 year, 5 months). - For the final action dates, worldwide and Mexico remain at April 1, 2023. China advanced to March 1, 2021; India, to August 22, 2013; and the Philippines, to April 1, 2023.
- EB-5 (India - Unreserved): The final action date advanced dramatically to February 1, 2021, representing a 15-month jump.
This is a rare and welcome development for investors who have been waiting years to move their cases forward. - EB-4 Religious Worker (SR): This category expired on September 29, 2025. Unless Congress extends it, new filings for certain religious worker cases will be halted.
What This Month Really Means
USCIS has confirmed that the Dates for Filing chart will be used for October 2025. This allows thousands of applicants with current priority dates to submit their Form I-485 applications for a green card in October 2025. They will gain earlier access to work and travel authorization while their green card cases are pending.
The forward movement in the Final Action Dates is also a positive sign. Although these cutoff dates are not being used this month, they suggest that visa availability is improving. If USCIS switches back to the Final Action Dates chart in the coming months, many applicants who are already in line may finally see their cases approved.
In short, this month's bulletin opens the door for filing new applications and indicates that final green card approvals may be closer than expected.
DV-2026 Green Card Lottery: November 2025 Cut-off Numbers
These cut-off numbers mean that DV-2026 applicants with numbers below the listed figures are eligible to continue the green card process in November.
| Region | November 2025 Cut-Off | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Africa | 17,500 | Algeria: 14,500Egypt: 16,000 |
| Asia | 10,000 | Nepal: 6,000 |
| Europe | 7,750 | |
| North America | 20 | Only the Bahamas is eligible |
| Oceania | 1,100 | |
| South America & the Caribbean | 1,850 |
Visa Bulletin Charts and Key Terms Explained
- Final Action Dates: shows when your green card can be approved. If your priority date is earlier than the listed date, your case can move forward.
- Dates for Filing: These indicate when you can submit your application. Even if you file, you must wait until the final action date is current for approval.
- Priority Date: This is the date that USCIS (Form I-130/I-140) or the NVC receives your petition. This determines your place in line
- If your priority date is earlier than the date in the chart, you can proceed.
- If it is later, you must wait. - C (Current): There is no backlog, and visas are available.
- U (Unavailable): The category is closed for the month.
- Retrogression: Dates move backward and wait times increase.
- Advancement: Dates move forward, and more applicants can apply.
In the tables below, each advancement is shown with the previous date, the new date, and the movement. For example: 01SEP22 → 01FEB24 (Movement +17 months).
Employment-Based (EB) Green Card Categories Explained
EB-1: Individuals with extraordinary ability, outstanding professors/researchers, and multinational executives/managers.
EB-2: Professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability, including National Interest Waiver (NIW) cases.
EB-3: Skilled workers with at least two years of experience, professionals with a bachelor's degree, and other workers.
EB-4: Special immigrants, including religious workers, U.S. government employees, and certain international workers.
Certain religious workers: A subgroup of EB-4 for ministers and other non-minister religious workers (subject to sunset dates).
EB-5 (Unreserved): Investors who invest at least $800,000 and create at least 10 jobs. General quota.
EB-5 (Set-Aside): Reserved quotas for rural areas, high-unemployment areas, and infrastructure projects.
Family-Based Green Card Categories Explained
F1: Unmarried sons and daughters (21 and older) of U.S. citizens.
F2A: Spouses and unmarried children under 21 of green card holders.
F2B: Unmarried sons and daughters (age 21 and older) of green card holders.
F3: Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens (with spouses and children).
F4: Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens (with spouses and children).
FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASES FINAL ACTION DATES
| Category | All Other Areas | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | 15JUL16 → 08NOV16 (Movement +4 months) | 15JUL16 → 08NOV16 (Movement +4 months) | 15JUL16 → 08NOV16 (Movement +4 months) | 22APR05 → 22NOV05 (Movement +7 months) | 15JUL12 → 22JAN13 (Movement +6 months) |
| F2A | 01SEP22 → 01FEB24 (Movement +17 months) | 01SEP22 → 01FEB24 (Movement +17 months) | 01SEP22 → 01FEB24 (Movement +17 months) | 01FEB22 → 01FEB23 (Movement +12 months) | 01SEP22 → 01FEB24 (Movement +17 months) |
| F2B | 15OCT16 → 22NOV16 (Movement +1 month 1 week) | 15OCT16 → 22NOV16 (Movement +1 month 1 week) | 15OCT16 → 22NOV16 (Movement +1 month 1 week) | 01APR07 → 15DEC07 (Movement +8.5 months) | 01MAY12 → 01OCT12 (Movement +5 months) |
| F3 | 01AUG11 → 08SEP11 (Movement +1 month) | 01AUG11 → 08SEP11 (Movement +1 month) | 01AUG11 → 08SEP11 (Movement +1 month) | 01FEB01 → 15APR01 (Movement +2.5 months) | 01MAY04 → 22SEP04 (Movement +5 months) |
| F4 | 01JAN08 → 08JAN08 (Movement +1 week) | 01JAN08 → 08JAN08 (Movement +1 week) | 01NOV06 → 01NOV06 (No change) | 15MAR01 → 08APR01 (Movement +3 weeks) | 01JAN06 → 22MAR06 (Movement +2.5 months) |
FAMILY-SPONSORED VISA APPLICATIONS DATES FOR FILING
| Category | All Other Areas | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | 01SEP17 → 01SEP17 (No change) | 01SEP17 → 01SEP17 (No change) | 01SEP17 → 01SEP17 (No change) | 01JUN06 → 08OCT06 (Movement +4 months) | 22APR15 → 22APR15 (No change) |
| F2A | 01JUN25 → 22SEP25 (Movement +3 months 3 weeks) | 01JUN25 → 22SEP25 (Movement +3 months 3 weeks) | 01JUN25 → 22SEP25 (Movement +3 months 3 weeks) | 01JUN25 → 22SEP25 (Movement +3 months 3 weeks) | 01JUN25 → 22SEP25 (Movement +3 months 3 weeks) |
| F2B | 01JAN17 → 01JAN17 (No change) | 01JAN17 → 01JAN17 (No change) | 01JAN17 → 01JAN17 (No change) | 01APR08 → 15DEC08 (Movement +8 months and 2 weeks) | 01OCT13 → 01OCT13 (No change) |
| F3 | 22JUL12 → 22JUL12 (No change) | 22JUL12 → 22JUL12 (No change) | 22JUL12 → 22JUL12 (No change) | 15JUN01 → 15JUN01 (No change) | 01MAY05 → 01AUG05 (Movement +3 months) |
| F4 | 01JAN09 → 01MAR09 (Movement +2 months) | 01JAN09 → 01MAR09 (Movement +2 months) | 01DEC06 → 15DEC06 (Movement +2 weeks) | 30APR01 → 30APR01 (No change) | 01JAN08 → 01JAN08 (No change) |
EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES FINAL ACTION DATES
| Category | All Other Areas | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | C → C (No change) | 15NOV22 → 22DEC22 (Movement +1 month) | 15FEB22 → 15FEB22 (No change) | C → C (No change) | C → C (No change) |
| EB-2 | 01SEP23 → 01DEC23 (Movement +3 months) | 15DEC20 → 01APR21 (Movement +3.5 months) | 01JAN13 → 01APR13 (Movement +3 months) | 01SEP23 → 01DEC23 (Movement +3 months) | 01SEP23 → 01DEC23 (Movement +3 months) |
| EB-3 | 01APR23 → 01APR23 (No change) | 01DEC20 → 01MAR21 (Movement +3 months) | 22MAY13 → 22AUG13 (Movement +3 months) | 01APR23 → 01APR23 (No change) | 08FEB23 → 01APR23 (Movement +2 months) |
| Other Workers | 08JUL21 → 15JUL21 (Movement +1 week) | 01MAY17 → 01DEC17 (Movement +7 months) | 22MAY13 → 22AUG13 (Movement +3 months) | 08JUL21 → 15JUL21 (Movement +1 week) | 08JUL21 → 15JUL21 (Movement +1 week) |
| EB-4 | U → 01JUL20 (Category Reopened) | U → 01JUL20 (Category Reopened) | U → 01JUL20 (Category Reopened) | U → 01JUL20 (Category Reopened) | U → 01JUL20 (Category Reopened) |
| Certain Religious Workers | U → U (Unavailable) | U → U | U → U | U → U | U → U |
| EB-5 Unreserved | C → C (No change) | 08DEC15 → 08DEC15 (No change) | 15NOV19 → 01FEB21 (Movement +14 months) | C → C (No change) | C → C (No change) |
| EB-5 Set Aside (Rural, High Unemployment, Infrastructure) | C → C (No change) | C → C (No change) | C → C (No change) | C → C (No change) | C → C (No change) |
EMPLOYMENT-BASED VISA APPLICATIONS DATES FOR FILING
| Category | All Other Areas | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | C → C (No change) | 01JAN23 → 15MAY23 (Movement +4.5 months) | 15APR22 → 15APR23 (Movement +12 months) | C → C (No change) | C → C (No change) |
| EB-2 | 15NOV23 → 15JUL24 (Movement +8 months) | 01JAN21 → 01DEC21 (Movement +11 months) | 01FEB13 → 01DEC13 (Movement +10 months) | 15NOV23 → 15JUL24 (Movement +8 months) | 15NOV23 → 15JUL24 (Movement +8 months) |
| EB-3 | 01MAY23 → 01JUL23 (Movement +2 months) | 22DEC20 → 01JAN22 (Movement +12 months) | 08JUN13 → 15AUG14 (Movement +14 months) | 01MAY23 → 01JUL23 (Movement +2 months) | 01MAY23 → 01JUL23 (Movement +2 months) |
| Other Workers | 22JUL21 → 01DEC21 (Movement +4 months) | 01JAN18 → 01OCT18 (Movement +9 months) | 08JUN13 → 15AUG14 (Movement +14 months) | 22JUL21 → 01DEC21 (Movement +4 months) | 22JUL21 → 01DEC21 (Movement +4 months) |
| EB-4 | 01FEB21 → 15FEB21 (Movement +2 weeks) | 01FEB21 → 15FEB21 (Movement +2 weeks) | 01FEB21 → 15FEB21 (Movement +2 weeks) | 01FEB21 → 15FEB21 (Movement +2 weeks) | 01FEB21 → 15FEB21 (Movement +2 weeks) |
| Certain Religious Workers | 01FEB21 → U (Unavailable) | 01FEB21 → U (Unavailable) | 01FEB21 → U (Unavailable) | 01FEB21 → U (Unavailable) | 01FEB21 → U (Unavailable) |
| EB-5 (Unreserved) | C → C (No change) | 01OCT16 → 01JUL16 (Retrogression: ~3 months) | 01APR22 → 01APR22 (No change) | C → C (No change) | C → C (No change) |
| EB-5 Set Aside (Rural, High Unemployment, Infrastructure) | C → C (No change) | C → C (No change) | C → C (No change) | C → C (No change) | C → C (No change) |
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