The US Department of State has released the March Visa Bulletin 2025. This bulletin includes important Visa Bulletin changes for those affected by the green card backlog. We understand that waiting for a green card can be stressful. That’s why we created this blog post. Our goal is to keep you informed and make the USCIS visa bulletin process easier.
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Understanding the March 2025 Visa Bulletin Changes
The Visa Bulletin is a monthly update from the U.S. government. It informs you about available visas and key dates. It’s important to understand this bulletin if you’re applying for a green card or changing your status. The March 2025 Visa Bulletin has no major updates. This includes information on green card F4 visa processing times and priority dates.
To keep track of EB1 wait times in India and changes in the visa bulletin, stay updated. It is important to know your GC priority date. The March 2025 update shows changes that could affect your application.
There are delays in processing times, and priority dates have changed for many people from different countries. The Visa Bulletin has two key dates that help you understand where you stand in the green card process.
What to Do When Your Priority Date is Current:
If you're in the U.S.: You can move forward with your adjustment of status application.
If you're outside the U.S.: You can apply for an Immigrant Visa.
Managing Important Monthly Visa Bulletin Changes
Visa Bulletin changes can sometimes disrupt your immigration plans, but there are ways to manage these hurdles.
Visa Bulletin Retrogression
Visa Bulletin updates are often unpredictable, including instances of visa retrogression. This means that the bulletin may move backward or forward, impacting your green card wait time. It’s essential to monitor the Visa Bulletin closely to plan your next steps.
Handling Unavailability of Visas
If visas are not available, you can still file a mandamus lawsuit to expedite your application. A Writ of Mandamus helps compel the government to decide on your visa application if it's been delayed excessively.
While it doesn’t change the availability of visas, it can help move your case forward. Consult with a Boston mandamus immigration lawyer to understand how this might impact your specific situation.
When Can You File Your Green Card Application?
Are you hoping to become a U.S. permanent resident through a family sponsored preferences or work-based visa? If no one has filed a visa petition for you yet, don’t worry. You can start by learning about the Adjustment of Status process.
If you have a petition filed or approved, you may need to wait for a visa. You must wait before you can send in your Form I-485. This form is the application to adjust your status. This guide will help you figure out when you’re allowed to file your application.
Visa Bulletin Changes Tip:
Take your time with the filing visa application filing charts. Don’t hesitate to ask for help from a local Los Angeles immigration lawyer if it gets confusing. You’re one step closer to your green card!
How to Figure Out Filing Dates
To know if it’s time to file your application, you’ll need to check the Visa Bulletin charts.
How to Use the Visa Bulletin Charts
This is how you should interpret the visa bulletin changes charts on a monthly basis to keep your immigration plans on track:
- Find your visa type by checking the visa bulletin changes tables:
- Look for your category (family-sponsored or employment-based) in the first column of the chart.
- Check your country:
- Stay in the same row and look for your country of birth in the bold columns at the top.
- Compare dates:
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- If the chart shows “C” (current) for your category, you can file your application. You can do this if your priority date is earlier than the listed date and if you are eligible.
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- If you see “U”, it means visas aren’t available right now for your category.
Immigration Help: What’s a Priority Date?
Your priority date is like your place in line. It’s the date your family member or employer filed a visa petition for you with USCIS. If your visa needs a labor certification, the priority date is when the Department of Labor accepted it.
March 2025 Visa Bulletin Changes Highlights
The March Visa Bulletin 2025 from the U.S. Department of State gives important updates. This is especially true for family-sponsored and employment-based (EB) GC applicants, particularly those from India. This visa bulletin has important information about the green card backlog. It also includes updates on specific priority dates in different categories.
Annual Visa Limits Update 2025
Staying up to date with these changes can help you plan your visa application better. If you need guidance, consider speaking with an immigration lawyer for expert advice.
- Family-sponsored visas are capped at 226,000 per year.
- Employment-based visas are limited to 140,000 annually.
- Each country can receive up to 7% of the total visa limit (25,620 visas)
Family-Sponsored Green Card Latest News Today
All family-sponsored visas in the visa bulletin for March 2025 are the same as in February 2025, except for the following:
- F3 Adjustments:
The priority date for married sons and daughters (F3 category) of U.S. citizens in the Philippines has advanced by 75 days to January 22, 2004. All other countries remain unchanged, but these changes bring some families one step closer to reuniting.
- F4 Adjustments:
The priority date has moved forward by 167 days, now reaching October 15, 2003. This is great news for siblings of U.S. citizens. Unfortunately, there are no changes for other countries at this time.
Application Instructions for Applicants
- If your priority date is before the application dates in the visa bulletin, you can start submitting the required documents.
- You should submit these documents to the National Visa Center after you receive a notification.
Important Green Card India News Note:
Applicants should stay updated on the green card news India and visa bulletin changes for important developments.
Employment-Based Green Cards
The March 2025 Visa Bulletin has updates for employment-based visa categories (EB). There is little change for Indian nationals in some categories. The green card backlog news reveals slight advancements in priority dates.
India still has long wait times for many visa types. This is especially true for EB-1 wait time India and EB-2 visas. The priority dates for these visas are much later than those for other countries.
Pending USCIS Adjustment of Status Announcement
If the visa bulletin has more visas than applicants, they will inform you. You can then use the Dates for Filing chart to apply. If that’s not the case, they’ll tell you to use the Final Action Dates chart to know when it’s your turn.
Adjustment of Status Update:
If your visa category is “current” on the Final Action Dates listed, you can apply that month. You can also apply if the date on the FAD chart is later than the one on the Dates for Filing chart.
Visa Bulletin Changes March 2025: Additional Key Notes
The March Visa Bulletin for 2025 shows significant updates. Please review our key notes below:
Family-Bases Preference Cases
There are no changes to the family-based visa categories this month. The final action dates and filing dates are still the same as last month for all country categories.
The delays show the ongoing backlog for family-sponsored green cards. This is especially true for F4 applicants. Be ready for long waits and check future visa bulletin updates for any changes.
Green Card Backlog Visa Bulletin Changes March 2025
The green card backlog for India remains a significant challenge, especially in the employment-based categories. Here's an overview of the current visa bulletin changes:
- EB1 Adjustments:
In the EB-1 category, including EB1A priority date and EB1C priority date India stays the same at February 1, 2022. This category is for people with amazing talents, top professors or researchers, and certain big-company leaders. Many EB1 priority date India people want visas in this group, so there hasn’t been any progress.
Great news for H1B Holders in the March U.S. Visa Bulletin 2025!
EB-2 and EB-3 dates have moved forward.
If you're on an H-1B visa and looking to secure a green card, these categories are your best options. Book a consultation with Goldstein Immigration Lawyers to start your process now!
- EB2 Adjustments:
The EB-2 visa is for people with advanced degrees or special skills. India's EB2 priority date India moved forward by 47 days to December 1, 2012. China’s date moved up 16 days to May 8, 2020. Mexico and the Philippines both moved forward 44 days to May 15, 2023. The visa bulletin changes slowly, but this is still good news for people waiting in this crowded category.
- EB3 Adjustments:
In the India EB-3 category, professionals and skilled workers can apply. This includes people with a bachelor’s degree or special job skills. For India, the date moves forward by 48 days to February 1, 2013. The same change happens in the EB-3 Other Workers category, which is for unskilled labor. Both now have the same date.
- EB4 Adjustments:
In the EB-4 category, which includes religious workers and other special immigrants, the dates for all countries have moved back (retrogressed) to August 1, 2019. This means people will have to wait 17 months longer than expected to get their green cards.
Latest visa bulletin changes means applicants' chances of obtaining permanent residency is pushed back. Those affected may face longer wait times and uncertainty about their immigration status. With many people waiting and only a few visas available, applicants should plan carefully. They should also think about other options while they wait.
- EB5 Adjustments:
For the EB-5 category, which is for investors who create jobs in the U.S., there’s no change for India and China mainland. The dates remain at January 1, 2022 and July 15, 2016 respectively. Special categories like Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure visa bulletin changes are still “current.” This means eligible investors can move forward without waiting.
- Overall Impact on Employment-based Applicants:
Visa bulletin changes and H1B green card news show that there are some improvements. However, applicants in the EB2, EB3, and EB1 categories should watch for changes.
Stay Updated on the Latest Visa Bulletin Changes
Don’t miss out on the latest Visa Bulletin changes and updates! We will provide monthly insights to help you understand how changes may affect your immigration plans. Sign up for our newsletter. You will receive a monthly invitation to our Live Event. Join our Q&A session about Visa Bulletin changes at our Immigration Station with Josh Goldstein.
You can also bookmark this page for quick access to get immediate notification of page updates. Please share your case or contact us if you need help. Stay connected with us and let’s work together to make your American dream a reality!
March 2025 Visa Bulletin Changes: Charts
We have updated the Visa Bulletin for March 2025. The visa bulletin changes below will help you on your journey to the United States. Check out our detailed charts to track your progress and navigate the steps ahead with clarity and confidence.
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excellent explanation, many thanks
Thank you so much, Karl! We’re glad you found the explanation helpful. Let us know if you have any questions—we’re happy to help!