The U.S. Department of State has released the September 2025 Visa Bulletin, the latest update to the green card waiting list. This monthly bulletin is important for green card applicants to understand how long they may need to wait to apply and receive approval.
In the U.S. Visa Bulletin, “Dates for Filing” and “Final Action Dates” are two key deadlines used by the Department of State and USCIS to guide when applicants in family- and employment-based visa categories can take the next step in the green card process.
- Final Action Date: The date indicates that USCIS or the National Visa Center is prepared to approve the visa petition and proceed with green card issuance.
- Dates for Filing: The date indicates when an applicant becomes eligible to submit their application to USCIS or the National Visa Center for further processing.
The gap between these two dates generally represents the estimated processing time by USCIS.
If you’re waiting for a green card, this update is important—it helps you understand how much longer you might need to wait.
September 2025 Visa Bulletin: Key Updates
Here’s a table showing how the priority dates moved in September 2025 compared to August. Use this to understand if you’re closer to filing your green card application.
Family-Based Green Card Updates
| Category | Region | Movement (Sep 2025) | Change Since Aug |
| F1 – Unmarried Children (21+) of U.S. Citizens | All | No Change | – |
| F2A – Spouses & Children (<21) of Green Card Holders | All | Advanced | +2 months |
| F2B – Unmarried Children (21+) of Green Card Holders | All | No Change | – |
| F3 – Married Children of U.S. Citizens | Philippines | Advanced | +5 months |
| F4 – Siblings of U.S. Citizens | All | No Change | – |
Employment-Based Green Card Updates
| Category | Region | Movement (Sep 2025) | Change Since Aug |
| EB-1 – Extraordinary, Researchers, Executives | All | No Change | – |
| EB-2 – Advanced Degree Holders | All | No Change | – |
| EB-3 – Skilled Workers / Professionals | All | No Change | – |
| EB-3 – Other Workers | All | No Change | – |
| EB-5 – Investors | All | No Change | – |
Below you can find the detailed chart with dates for individual categories.
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When to File an Adjustment of Status Application
If you want to become a U.S. permanent resident through a family-based or employment-based visa, an immigrant visa petition must first be filed on your behalf by a relative or employer. If no petition has been submitted for you yet, learn more about the Adjustment of Status process.
If a petition has already been filed or approved, you may need to wait until a visa becomes available in your category before applying with Form I-485. The table below will help you determine when to file your application based on your visa category.
Wondering how long it takes after your date becomes current? See our full guide to green card timelines in 2025.
USCIS decides which chart applicants should follow when submitting their applications. For September 2025, use the “Dates for Filing” chart for family-sponsored green cards and the “Final Action Dates” chart for employment-sponsored green cards.
If you find
- “C” on the chart is the current date and the numbers are authorized for issuance to all qualified applicants.
- “U” means unauthorized, the numbers mentioned are not authorized for issuance.
Are you new to “Visa Bulletin” or “Final Action Date”? No worries. Immigration Direct prepared the guide on “How to Read the Visa Bulletin” for you. Learn today!
If you want to check the archive of the complete visa bulletin, you can check by using Travel.State.Gov.
Family-Sponsored Preferences
Final Action Dates for Family-Sponsored Applications (September 2025)
| Family-Sponsored Categories | All Other Areas | CHINA (Mainland Born) | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 15JUL16 | 15JUL16 | 15JUL16 | 22APR05 | 15JUL12 |
| F2A | 01SEP22 | 01SEP22 | 01SEP22 | 01FEB22 | 01SEP22 |
| F2B | 15OCT16 | 15OCT16 | 15OCT16 | 01APR07 | 01MAY12 |
| F3 | 01AUG11 | 01AUG11 | 01AUG11 | 01FEB01 | 01MAY04 |
| F4 | 01JAN08 | 01JAN08 | 01NOV06 | 15MAR01 | 01JAN06 |
Dates For Filing Family-Sponsored Applications (September 2025)
| Family-Sponsored Categories | All Other Areas | CHINA (Mainland Born) | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 01JUN06 | 22APR15 |
| F2A | 01JUN25 | 01JUN25 | 01JUN25 | 01JUN25 | 01JUN25 |
| F2B | 01JAN17 | 01JAN17 | 01JAN17 | 01APR08 | 01OCT13 |
| F3 | 22JUL12 | 22JUL12 | 22JUL12 | 15JUN01 | 01MAY05 |
| F4 | 01JAN09 | 01JAN09 | 01DEC06 | 30APR01 | 01JAN08 |
Employment-Based Preferences
Final Action Dates For Employment-Based Applications
(September 2025)
| Employment-Based Categories | All Other Areas | CHINA (Mainland Born) | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| 1st | C | 15NOV22 | 15FEB22 | C | C |
| 2nd | 01SEP23 | 15DEC20 | 01JAN13 | 01SEP23 | 01SEP23 |
| 3rd | 01APR23 | 01DEC20 | 22MAY13 | 01APR23 | 08FEB23 |
| Other Workers | 08JUL21 | 01MAY17 | 22MAY13 | 08JUL21 | 08JUL21 |
| 4th | U | U | U | U | U |
| Certain Religious Workers | U | U | U | U | U |
| 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5) | C | 08DEC15 | 15NOV19 | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: Rural (20%) | C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: High Unemployment (10%) | C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: Infrastructure (2%) | C | C | C | C | C |
Dates for Filing Employment-Based Applications (September 2025)
| Employment-Based Categories | All Other Areas | CHINA (Mainland Born) | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| 1st | C | 01JAN23 | 15APR22 | C | C |
| 2nd | 15NOV23 | 01JAN21 | 01FEB13 | 15NOV23 | 15NOV23 |
| 3rd | 01MAY23 | 22DEC20 | 08JUN13 | 01MAY23 | 01MAY23 |
| Other Workers | 22JUL21 | 01JAN18 | 08JUN13 | 22JUL21 | 22JUL21 |
| 4th | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 |
| 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5) | C | 01OCT16 | 01APR22 | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: Rural (20%) | C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: High Unemployment (10%) | C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: Infrastructure (2%) | C | C | C | C | C |
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Diversity Immigrant (DV) Category
Every year Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) permits 55,000 immigrant visas annually through the Diversity Visa program. This number of visas from countries with low admissions over the past five years. 5,000 visas are reserved annually for the NACARA program, reducing the DV-2025 limit to roughly 54,850. These DV visas are distributed across six regions, with a cap of seven percent per country each year.
September 2025 Immigrant Numbers in the DV Category
| Region | All DV Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed Separately | |
| AFRICA | 58,500 | Except: 1. Algeria: 54,500 2. Egypt: 52,000 3. Morocco: 40,500 |
| ASIA | 14,500 | Except: 1. Iran: 11,000 2. Nepal: 14,450 |
| EUROPE | 23,000 | Except: 1. Russia: 22,950 2. Uzbekistan: 15,000 |
| NORTH AMERICA (BAHAMAS) | Current | |
| OCEANIA | 1,775 | |
| SOUTH AMERICA, and the CARIBBEAN | 2,825 |
The Diversity (DV) Immigrant Category Rank Cut-offs (October 2025)
| Region | All DV Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed Separately | |
| AFRICA | 17,500 | Except: 1. Algeria: 14,500 2. Egypt: 16,000 |
| ASIA | 10,000 | Except: 1. Nepal: 6,000 |
| EUROPE | 7,750 | |
| NORTH AMERICA (BAHAMAS) | 20 | |
| OCEANIA | 1,100 | |
| SOUTH AMERICA, and the CARIBBEAN | 1,850 |
Why the Visa Bulletin Matters
Understanding the Visa Bulletin is essential if you’re applying for a green card. It helps you:
- Know when you can file your green card application
- Estimate how long you’ll need to wait
- Avoid premature filings that USCIS may reject
- Plan for travel, work authorization, and family transitions
When and How to Check the Visa Bulletin
Because the Visa Bulletin changes every month, it’s important to check it regularly to see if an immigrant visa is available in your category. The U.S. government limits the number of green cards each year, and wait times can be long due to high demand and country caps.
By reviewing the bulletin each month, you’ll know when your priority date becomes current, so you can file on time, avoid delays, and stay on track in your green card process.
Staying informed through the Visa Bulletin is one of the simplest ways to take control of your immigration journey.
