- Published on
March 2025 Visa Bulletin
- Authors
- Name
- Adam Kizabi
The March 2025 Visa Bulletin is out, and while there's some movement in employment-based categories, family-based categories are mostly holding steady. Let's break it down.
Employment-Based Categories
EB-2 and EB-3: Some Progress
- EB-2:
- China moves forward by two weeks to May 8, 2020.
- India gains six weeks, landing at December 1, 2012.
- All other countries advance six weeks to May 15, 2023.
- EB-3:
- China jumps ahead a month to August 1, 2020.
- India moves forward six weeks to February 1, 2013.
EB-4 Takes a Step Back
The biggest change this month? EB-4 retrogressed by more than a year across the board—a significant setback for this category.
EB-1 and EB-5: Minimal Changes
- EB-1: No movement this time.
- EB-5: Slight adjustments, but nothing major.
Family-Based Categories
No real surprises here—priority dates in family-sponsored categories remain largely unchanged.
What's Next?
Here's what's driving these updates and what to keep an eye on:
- Slow but steady progress - The State Department is being cautious with cutoff date movements, just like last year.
- Fewer green cards available - Employment-based visa numbers are expected to be lower in FY 2025 than they were in FY 2024.
- Potential retrogression - If demand stays high, we could see EB-2 and EB-3 worldwide dates (including Mexico and the Philippines) move backward in the coming months.
- Backlogs aren't going anywhere - With demand still strong, expect only moderate advancements moving forward.
- Employers, don't wait - Processing delays continue, so employers should work with their immigration attorneys to file Adjustment of Status applications ASAP.
Bottom line: The March 2025 Visa Bulletin reflects a careful balancing act as demand for green cards remains high. Some categories are inching forward, while others—like EB-4—are taking a hit. Expect more shifts as the year unfolds.