USCIS Visa Bulletin October 2025: Priority Date Shifts, Filing Chart Updates & Green Card Forecast

Updated October 2025 USCIS Visa Bulletin: What Green-Card Applicants Need to Know Now Overview The U.S. Department of State has released the October 2025 Visa Bulletin, and USCIS has confirmed it will use the “Dates for Filing” charts for both employment-based and family-sponsored adjustment-of-status filings this month. Because October starts the federal government’s fiscal year, new visa numbers become available, often triggering significant movement in priority dates. Key Takeaways at a Glance • Dates for Filing apply to ALL employment-based and family-sponsored categories. • EB-1 becomes CURRENT for most countries; China is 15 May 2023 and India 15 Apr 2023. • EB-2 advances to 15 Jul 2024 for most countries; China 1 Dec 2021; India 1 Dec 2013. • EB-3 moves to 1 Jul 2023 for most countries; China 1 Jan 2022; India 15 Aug 2014. • Family-sponsored F2A remains open to new filings worldwide with a cut-off of 22 Sep 2025. • Diversity Visa (DV-2026) numbers are available up to regional rank 17,500 for Africa and 10,000 for Asia. Source: U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin for October 2025. Why the October Bulletin Matters 1. New Annual Quotas: The employment-based ceiling resets to at least 140,000 visas, with any spill-over from unused family numbers adding to the total. 2. Fresh Filing Window: Applicants whose priority dates now fall before the Dates for Filing cut-offs can immediately submit Form I-485, along with work-permit (EAD) and advance-parole (AP) applications, allowing them to live and work in the U.S. while their green-card case is pending. 3. Strategic Upgrades: Employers can evaluate inter-category upgrades (e.g., EB-3 to EB-2 “upgrade” filings) to capture earlier priority dates. Employment-Based Highlights EB-1 (Priority Workers) • All countries except China and India: CURRENT — ideal time to file new I-140/I-485 concurrent packages. • China: 15 May 2023 — five-month jump. • India: 15 Apr 2023 — six-month jump. EB-2 (Advanced Degree / Exceptional Ability) • All other countries: 15 Jul 2024 — huge leap of over one year, creating an immediate filing window. • China: 1 Dec 2021 — seven-month advance. • India: 1 Dec 2013 — unchanged; consider EB-1 or EB-5 alternatives. EB-3 (Skilled/Professional) • All other countries: 1 Jul 2023 — nine-month advance. • China: 1 Jan 2022 — one-year jump. • India: 15 Aug 2014 — marginal movement; EB-2 downgrade strategies may still help. Family-Sponsored Highlights F2A (Spouses/Children of Permanent Residents) • Worldwide filing date: 22 Sep 2025 — category remains exceptionally favorable; permanent residents should file I-130s quickly. F1, F2B, F3, F4 • Modest advances of a few weeks to several months depending on the country; Mexico and the Philippines remain the most backlogged. Action Items for Applicants 1. Check Your Priority Date: Compare it to the Dates for Filing chart; if earlier, prepare your I-485 package immediately. 2. Assemble Required Docs: Birth certificates, police clearances, medical exams (Form I-693), and proof of maintenance of status. 3. Coordinate With Your Employer or Attorney: Ensure labor-certification validity and confirm no material job changes that could jeopardize an approved PERM or I-140. 4. File Concurrent Benefits: Submit Forms I-765 and I-131 with I-485 to receive EAD/AP combo card in roughly 3–6 months. 5. Monitor Future Bulletins: Final Action Dates control when green cards can actually be approved; expect retrogression later in the fiscal year if demand spikes. Frequently Asked Questions Q : Can I inter-file medicals later? A : Yes, but sending I-693 with the initial filing speeds approval once your Final Action Date becomes current. Q : What happens if my category retrogresses after I file? A : USCIS will hold the I-485 until the Final Action Date becomes current again; your EAD/AP remain valid and renewable. Q : Does premium processing help? A : Upgrading the I-140 can secure approval before any potential shift to “Final Action Dates only,” but it doesn’t accelerate I-485 adjudication. Bottom Line The October 2025 USCIS Visa Bulletin opens the widest filing window seen in months, particularly for EB-1 worldwide, EB-2 for most countries, and the ever-popular F2A family category. Eligible applicants should act quickly to lock in their place in line before numbers tighten or retrogress later in the fiscal year.