USCIS Visa Bulletin June 2025: Key Updates, Final Action Dates, and What Applicants Should Know
The USCIS Visa Bulletin June 2025 brings vital updates for individuals seeking U.S. green cards through both family-based and employment-based preference categories. If you are waiting to adjust your status or tracking priority dates closely, this month’s bulletin provides important new information, especially for applicants from India, China, and other high-demand countries.
What Is the USCIS Visa Bulletin?
The visa bulletin, released monthly by the U.S. Department of State, lists the Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing for each category and country. These dates determine who can move forward in the green card application process. Understanding the bulletin is essential for applicants, as it serves as a roadmap for planning your next steps in the U.S. immigration journey.
June 2025 Highlights: Who Moves Forward?
According to the Fragomen law firm's analysis, the USCIS Visa Bulletin June 2025 introduces modest advancements for select employment-based categories. Here are the main takeaways:
- The EB-2 Final Action Dates for China advance by two months; EB-3 for China moves forward by three weeks.
- EB-2 and EB-3 Final Action Dates for India remain unchanged, reflecting persistent backlogs.
- All other countries see significant movement, especially in the EB-2 and EB-3 categories—up nearly four months and five weeks, respectively.
- USCIS has confirmed it will use the Final Action Dates chart for employment-based green card filings in June 2025.
India: Continued Backlogs, Limited Progress
For Indian applicants, the June 2025 bulletin offers little change. The Economic Times report highlights that employment-based EB-2 and EB-3 categories are still significantly backlogged. Priority dates remain at January 1, 2013, for EB-2 and April 15, 2013, for EB-3. Similar stagnation is seen in family-based categories, with final action dates barely moving, especially for F1, F3, and F4 groups. Because of the 7% per-country cap, the demand far outpaces the availability for India, causing extended waits.
Understanding Final Action vs. Dates for Filing
The Final Action Date is the date when a green card can be approved and issued. The Dates for Filing indicate when you can submit your application for adjustment of status. For June 2025, USCIS requires applicants to use the Final Action Dates. This policy affects when you can submit your documentation, so it’s essential to monitor these distinctions each month.
Major Points for Other Countries
Applicants from China see some forward movement in both employment-based and family-based categories. Other countries benefit from modest advancements, particularly in the EB-2 and EB-3 categories. However, for countries facing oversubscription such as India, limited progress continues. The per-country cap and high demand keep the lines long for key categories.
Family-Based Green Card Updates
The June 2025 bulletin reiterates that the caps for family-sponsored and employment-based visas are 226,000 and 140,000 per year, respectively. Each country can receive up to 7% of those totals. In some family-based categories, India saw slight movement, but overall wait times remain extended. Spouses and children of preference immigrants continue to receive the same status as the principal applicant, but high-demand regions remain affected by backlogs and proration rules.
Key Takeaways for Green Card Applicants
- Monitor the USCIS Visa Bulletin June 2025 each month for category and country-specific updates.
- Expect little relief for Indian and Chinese applicants in backlogged employment-based categories.
- Take advantage of any movement in priority dates for your region and category.
- Always check if USCIS is using the Final Action or Dates for Filing chart before planning to file.
For a detailed breakdown of individual category cut-off dates and historical trends, review trusted summaries like the one from Fragomen LLP, or find more analysis in The Economic Times overview.
Conclusion: Stay Informed and Plan Ahead
The USCIS Visa Bulletin June 2025 continues to be a critical resource for green card applicants. While some categories see movement, those from high-demand countries will need patience and strategic planning. Stay up-to-date with each month’s bulletin and seek guidance as needed to maximize your chances for success in the complex U.S. immigration process.