September 2025 Visa Bulletin: Key Updates & What to Know

Index

• What is the Visa Bulletin?
• Which Chart Will USCIS Use in September?
• Key Updates About the September 2025 Visa Bulletin
• October 2025 DV-2026 Rank Cut-Off Numbers
• Glossary of Key Immigration Terms
• Employment-Based Green Card Final Action Dates

Stay informed on the September 2025 updates that could impact your green card process.

The U.S. Department of State has released the September 2025 Visa Bulletin.

Most family-based green card categories saw no movement in the September 2025 Visa Bulletin. However:

• The F-2A category advanced by two months for all countries.
• The F-3 category for the Philippines advanced by five months.

There were no changes this month for employment-based Green Card categories. The EB-4 category has reached its annual limit and will remain "unavailable (U)" until the start of the new fiscal year.

The official September 2025 Visa Bulletin is available here as a PDF.

What is the Visa Bulletin?

The Visa Bulletin, an official publication of the U.S. Department of State, shows the priority dates for each green card category and country. These dates determine which applications are eligible for processing.

• The Final Action Dates chart shows when a case is ready for approval, which allows green cards to be issued through either adjustment of status (Form I-485) in the U.S. or consular processing (Form DS-260) abroad.
• The Dates for Filing chart indicates when applicants can submit their green card applications before a visa number becomes available, depending on which chart USCIS uses that month.

Understanding these charts is key to filing at the right time for both family and employment-based categories.

Which Chart Will USCIS Use in September?

Every month, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announces which chart applicants already living in the U.S. should use for their adjustment of status applications. For September, the applicable charts are:

• Employment-Based Applications: The Final Action Dates chart. Only cases with a priority date earlier than the date listed in the chart are eligible for processing.
• Family-Based Applications: The Dates for Filing chart will be used.

For more information, read the official announcement from USCIS here.

Key Updates About the September 2025 Visa Bulletin

• Family-Based: Although September is usually a slow month because of the end of the fiscal year, there is one notable exception in the family-based categories: the F-2A category.

- For applicants who are the spouses or unmarried children (under 21) of green card holders, the "Dates for Filing" chart has advanced by two months for all countries. The priority date has moved from April 1, 2025, to June 1, 2025.

Important: In other words, if you filed your I-130 petition on or before June 1, 2025, and you are currently in the U.S., you can submit your I-485 application for a green card, as well as applications for a work permit (EAD) and a travel permit (Advance Parole).  This is particularly beneficial for individuals who were previously waiting due to visa bulletin backlogs.

Those who qualify no longer need to maintain nonimmigrant status, such as an F-1 student visa, since they can transition directly to the green card process.

This change opens a critical window of opportunity, but it may not stay open for long. Be sure to review your eligibility and act promptly if your priority date falls within this range.

- F-3 for the Philippines advanced by five months. The Philippines' F-3 advancement could accelerate interview scheduling and document preparation for long-pending cases.

• Employment-Based: No changes:

- The EB-4 category has reached its annual limit, so no additional visa numbers are available. Approvals will be paused until the new fiscal year begins on October 1, 2025.

Important: Other EB categories may also temporarily reach their limits toward the end of the fiscal year, so plan your AOS or consular processing accordingly.

October 2025 DV-2026 Rank Cut-Off Numbers

The U.S. Department of State released the rank cutoff numbers for the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery as of October 2025. These numbers determine which DV-2026 applicants are eligible for a visa.

The table below shows the maximum number of cases by region that are eligible for a visa in October. If your case number is below your region's cutoff, you may proceed with your visa application in October.

Examples by Country:

• Europe (Turkey, Germany, United Kingdom): If your DV-2026 case number is below 7,750, you may submit your DS-260 form in October 2025 and move forward with the visa interview process.
• For Asia (Pakistan and India): If your case number is below 10,000, you can proceed with your application in October. For Nepal, the limit is 6,000.
• North America (Bahamas): If your case number is below 20, you can start your application this month.
• South America and the Caribbean (Brazil and Argentina): If your case number is below 1,850, you can submit your DS-260 and schedule your interview.

Note: Cut-off numbers advance (move forward) each month, but can also retrogress (move backward) depending on visa demand. If your case is current, start the process immediately and ensure all civil documents are complete to avoid delays.

Preference Categories (At a Glance):

Family-Based (FB): F-1, F-2A, F-2B, F-3, and F-4 categories require sponsorship by a family member who is a U.S. citizen or green card holder.

Employment-Based (EB): Eligibility for these green card categories (EB-1 through EB-5) is determined by extraordinary ability, an advanced degree, exceptional ability, skilled or unskilled work, or investment.

See Preference Categories in our August bulletin for clear, full definitions of each subcategory.

Glossary of Key Immigration Terms

• Priority Date: The date that USCIS or NVC receives your petition. Your place in the visa queue is based on this date.
• "Current" (C): The visa category is open, and applications can be processed immediately.
• Unavailable (U): No visas are available for that category in the current month.
• Retrogression: Priority dates move backward.
• Advancement: When priority dates move forward.
• Adjustment of Status: Changing your status within the U.S. by filing Form I-485.
• Consular Processing: Applying for an immigrant visa outside the U.S. through Form DS-260.
• Set-aside/unreserved (EB-5): Reserved EB-5 visa numbers are allotted for high-unemployment areas, rural areas, and infrastructure projects. Unreserved general EB-5 visa numbers are also available.

See the Glossary of Key Immigration Terms for more detailed explanations.

Employment-Based Green Card Final Action Dates

EB-1:

EB-2: 

EB-3:

EB-4:

EB-5: (Unreserved/General) 

EB-5: Set-Aside 

Family-Based Green Card Dates for Filing 

F-1:

F-2A:

F-2B:

F-3:

F-4:

Begin your Green Card journey with expert guidance. The Gozel Law Firm team is here to help you navigate every step with confidence and accuracy.

Contact us today to start your application the right way!