US Visa Bulletin April 2025: EB-5 Retrogression for India Amid Growing Green Card Demand

The U.S. Department of State has released the April 2025 US Visa Bulletin, which provides important updates on Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing Applications for immigrants seeking permanent residency. The bulletin plays a critical role in determining when applicants should submit necessary documents to the National Visa Center.

EB-5 Retrogression and US Visa Availability

According to the latest visa bulletin, due to high demand from China and India in the EB-5 Unreserved US Visa category, combined with increased applications from the rest of the world, the Final Action Dates have been pushed back significantly.

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EB-5 Final Action Dates for April 2025:

• China: January 22, 2014
• India: November 1, 2019
• All Other Countries: Current

EB-5 Set-Asides:

• Rural: Current for all countries
• High Unemployment: Current for all countries
• Infrastructure: Current for all countries

This retrogression means that China’s EB-5 Final Action Date has moved backward by 2.5 years, while India’s Final Action Date has been pushed back by more than two years. If demand continues to rise, further delays could occur, even for Rest of World (ROW) applicants.

Other Key Updates in the April 2025 US Visa Bulletin

The EB-2 and EB-3 employment-based categories have also experienced significant movements:

• EB-1:
  • China: November 8, 2022 (No change)
  • India: February 15, 2022 (Advanced by two weeks)
  • All other countries: Current
• EB-2:
  • China: October 1, 2020 (Advanced by nearly five months)
  • India: January 1, 2013 (Advanced by one month)
  • All other countries: June 22, 2023 (Advanced by five weeks)
• EB-3 (Professionals & Skilled Workers):
  • China: November 1, 2020 (Advanced by three months)
  • India: April 1, 2013 (Advanced by two months)
  • All other countries: January 1, 2023 (Advanced by one month)

Why Do US Visa Bulletin Cut-Off Dates Change?

The Visa Bulletin cut-off dates fluctuate based on demand. Since Congress limits the number of immigrant visas issued annually, the Final Action Dates shift based on the number of applicants in a given category. This means:

• Some months see advancements in cut-off dates.
• Some months see retrogression (delays), especially as annual visa limits approach.
• The start of a new fiscal year (October 1) often brings new visa availability, which may reset retrogressed dates.

Employment-Based Fourth Preference (EB-4) Category Updates

For FY 2025, no new visas will be issued under the EB-4 category as all available slots have been filled. However, a new visa allocation will be available from October 1, 2025 (FY 2026).

Family-Sponsored US Visa Limits

For FY 2025, the following limits apply:

• Family-sponsored immigrants: 226,000 visas
• Employment-based immigrants: At least 140,000 visas
• Per-country limit: 7% of total annual visa allotments (~25,620 visas per country)
• Dependent area limit: 2% (~7,320 visas per dependent area)

Diversity US Visa (DV-2025) Lottery Deadline

The Diversity Visa (DV) 2025 program will end on September 30, 2025. Selected applicants must complete the visa process before this date, as entitlement does not carry over to the next fiscal year.

FAQs About the April 2025 US Visa Bulletin

Q1: What is the Visa Bulletin? A: The Visa Bulletin is a monthly update from the U.S. Department of State that informs applicants about visa availability and processing dates for family-sponsored and employment-based immigration categories.

Q2: What does retrogression mean? A: Retrogression occurs when a cut-off date moves backward, delaying visa availability due to high demand and limited visa numbers.

Q3: Why has India’s EB-5 category retrogressed? A: Due to high demand from Indian investors and a limited annual visa supply, the Final Action Date for EB-5 India has moved back by over two years.

Q4: How often do Visa Bulletin dates change? A: The cut-off dates in the Visa Bulletin may change monthly, depending on visa demand and availability.

Q5: What happens if my priority date is earlier than the listed cut-off date? A: If your priority date is earlier than the cut-off date, you may file for adjustment of status (if already in the U.S.) or complete the consular processing (if outside the U.S.).

Q6: Can cut-off dates move forward again? A: Yes, when new visa allocations become available (e.g., at the start of a new fiscal year in October), retrogressed dates may advance again.

Q7: What should I do if my priority date is retrogressed? A: If your case is affected by retrogression, you should monitor future Visa Bulletins and be prepared to submit required documents once your priority date becomes current again.

Final Thoughts

The April 2025 Visa Bulletin highlights the growing demand for employment-based visas, especially in the EB-5 investor category for India and China. While retrogression can be frustrating, understanding the process helps applicants plan better. If your priority date is impacted, consider discussing options with an immigration attorney to explore alternative pathways to the U.S.

For the latest updates on U.S. immigration, stay tuned to the next Visa Bulletin and be ready to take action when your date becomes current!