Visa Bulletin January 2025: Impact on Indian Nationals

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) issues the Visa Bulletin every month, detailing the availability of immigrant visas based on applicants’ priority dates. This bulletin includes two primary charts: Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing Applications. The Final Action Dates chart shows when visas can finally be issued, while the Dates for Filing Applications chart indicates the earliest dates applicants may submit their applications.

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed that it will continue using the Dates for Filing Applications chart for Employment-Based Adjustment of Status Applications. This follows a pattern set in October 2024. Similarly, USCIS will stick to the Dates for Filing Applications chart for Family-Sponsored Adjustment of Status Applications. The January 2025 Visa Bulletin shows global changes but is particularly significant for Indian nationals.

Family-Based Preference Categories

For Indian nationals, the January 2025 Visa Bulletin reveals limited changes across family-based visa preference categories:

1. First Preference Category (F1): This category covers unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens. The visa cut-off date remains fixed at September 1, 2017.
2. Second Preference Category (F2A): Spouses and children of permanent residents see no change, with the cut-off date staying at July 15, 2024.
3. Second Preference Category (F2B): For unmarried sons and daughters (21 years or older) of permanent residents, the visa cut-off date holds steady at January 1, 2017.
4. Third Preference Category (F3): This category covers married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens. The cut-off date has advanced slightly to July 22, 2012.
5. Fourth Preference Category (F4): Brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens see a minor advancement in the cut-off date to August 15, 2006.

Employment-Based Preference Categories

Employment-based visa preference categories also show minimal movement for Indian nationals:

1. First Preference (EB-1 – Priority Workers): The cut-off date is set at April 15, 2022.
2. Second Preference (EB-2 – Advanced Degree Holders and Persons of Exceptional Ability): The cut-off date remains unchanged at January 1, 2013.
3. Third Preference (EB-3 – Skilled Workers and Professionals): The cut-off date stays at June 8, 2013, which also applies to other workers in this category.
4. Fourth Preference (EB-4 – Special Immigrants): The visa cut-off date is set at February 1, 2021, consistent for religious workers as well.
5. Fifth Preference (EB-5 – Immigrant Investor Visas):
   2022. Unreserved Category: The cut-off date remains at April 1, 2022.
   2023. Set-Asides (Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure Areas): Visa numbers for Indian-born applicants in this category continue to be marked as “Current,” meaning there is no backlog.

Observations on Movement

Overall, the January 2025 Visa Bulletin reflects little movement in both family-based and employment-based preference categories. Quoting the report, “There has been minimal movement for both the Family-Based Preference Cases and Employment-Based Preference Cases.”

The decision to continue using the Dates for Filing Applications chart for employment-based visas indicates the Department of State’s intent to maintain a steady pace in visa issuance. This approach helps ensure that visa numbers are not exhausted too quickly. However, due to the high demand for employment-based visas, the DOS continues to exercise caution in setting its monthly visa number goals.

Future Prospects

Given the ongoing demand for both family-based and employment-based immigrant visas, the Department of State is likely to remain vigilant in its visa allocation strategy. The bulletin’s minimal changes reflect this measured approach. As the DOS and USCIS implement their policies in the coming months, stakeholders will closely monitor the movement in priority dates.

Indian nationals looking to adjust their status or apply for immigrant visas should stay informed about updates in future visa bulletins. The consistency in cut-off dates and the cautious advancement in specific categories highlight the complexities of managing the high demand for U.S. visas.

This structured and measured approach ensures a balance between efficient visa allocation and fairness across different categories and regions.