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Immigration News Alert
October 2025 Visa Bulletin
The U.S. Department of State released the October 2025 Visa Bulletin, marking the start of Fiscal Year 2026.
USCIS Filing Guidance
USCIS has confirmed:
- Employment-based applicants must use the Dates for Filing chart.
- Family-sponsored applicants must also use the Dates for Filing chart.
Applicants should check their priority date against the relevant chart to determine eligibility to file Form I-485.
Employment-Based Preference Categories – Dates for Filing
| Category | All Others | China | India |
|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Current | May 15, 2023 | April 15, 2023 |
| EB-2 | July 15, 2024 | December 1, 2021 | December 1, 2013 |
| EB-3 Prof/Skilled | July 1, 2023 | January 1, 2022 | August 15, 2014 |
| EB-5 Unreserved | Current | July 1, 2016 | April 1, 2022 |
| EB-5 Set-Asides | Current | Current | Current |
For the full chart, click here.
Key Highlights of October 2025 Visa Bulletin
- EB-1 China advances by five weeks; India remains unchanged.
- EB-2 and EB-3 categories for India and China move forward by up to three and a half months.
- EB-5 India (Unreserved) advances nearly 15 months to Feb 1, 2021.
- EB-5 China (Unreserved) remains at Dec 8, 2015, while its Date for Filing retrogresses to July 1, 2016.
- EB-5 Set-Asides (Rural, High Unemployment, Infrastructure) remain Current for all countries.
- EB-4 Religious Worker category is Unavailable pending congressional reauthorization.
Family-Sponsored Preference Categories – Dates for Filing
| Preference Category | All Chargeability Areas | China (Mainland Born) | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 – Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens | Sep 1, 2017 | Sep 1, 2017 | Sep 1, 2017 | Oct 8, 2006 | Apr 22, 2015 |
| F2A – Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents | Sep 22, 2025 | Sep 22, 2025 | Sep 22, 2025 | Sep 22, 2025 | Sep 22, 2025 |
| F2B – Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21+) of Permanent Residents | Jan 1, 2017 | Jan 1, 2017 | Jan 1, 2017 | Dec 15, 2008 | Oct 1, 2013 |
| F3 – Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens | Jul 22, 2012 | Jul 22, 2012 | Jul 22, 2012 | Jun 15, 2001 | Aug 1, 2005 |
| F4 – Siblings of U.S. Citizens | Mar 1, 2009 | Mar 1, 2009 | Dec 15, 2006 | Apr 30, 2001 | Jan 1, 2008 |
Don’t Miss an Update
Join attorneys from Envoy Global’s exclusive U.S. affiliate law firm for a timely and in-depth webinar analyzing the October Visa Bulletin and its implications for healthcare immigration in Fiscal Year 2026. This session is designed for healthcare employers and recruiters navigating the complex U.S. immigration landscape.
Date: Thursday, September 25, 2025
Time: 12 p.m. CT / 1 p.m. ET
Click here to register for this webinar.
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