Are you applying for an immigrant visa and want to know when your priority date will become current? Then you won’t want to miss our analysis of the May 2025 Visa Bulletin.
In this video, attorney Jacob Sapochnick explains what you can expect to see in terms of the movement of the family-sponsored and employment-based visa categories in the month of May.
USCIS Adjustment of Status
For employment-based preference categories, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed it will continue to use the Final Action Dates chart to determine filing eligibility for adjustment of status to permanent residence in the month of May.
For family-sponsored preference categories, USCIS will also continue to use the Dates for Filing chart to determine filing eligibility for adjustment of status to permanent residence in the month of May.
Please click here for more information.
Highlights of the May 2025 Visa Bulletin
At a Glance
What can we expect to see in the month of May?
Employment-Based Categories
Dates for Filing Advancements
- No change
Final Action Advancements & Retrogressions
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
- EB-3 India will advance by 2 weeks to April 15, 2013
EB-3 Other Workers
- EB-3 India will advance by 2 weeks to April 15, 2013
EB-5 Unreserved Categories (C5, T5, I5, and R5)
- India will retrogress by 6 months to May 1, 2019
Family-Sponsored Categories
Dates for Filing Advancements
F-2A Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
- F2A All countries will advance by 3.6 months to February 1, 2025
F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- F4 China and Worldwide will advance by 2 months to June 1, 2008
Final Action Advancements
F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F1 Mexico will advance by 3.6 months to April 22, 2005
F-2B Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents
- F2B Philippines will advance by 2.4 weeks to February 8, 2012
F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F3 Philippines will advance by 6 months to September 22, 2003
F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- F4 Philippines will advance by 5 months to June 1, 2005
- F4 China and Worldwide will advance by 5 months to January 1, 2008
For more details, please see our analysis of the May 2025 Visa bulletin.
Employment-Based Categories
FINAL ACTION DATES FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES
According to the Department of State’s May 2025 Visa Bulletin, the following Final Action cutoff dates will apply for employment-based categories in the month of May.
EB-1 Aliens of extraordinary ability, Outstanding Professors and Researchers, and Certain Multinational Managers or Executives
- EB-1 India will remain at February 15, 2022
- EB-1 China will remain at November 8, 2022
- EB-1 All other countries will remain current
EB-2 Members of the Professions and Aliens of Exceptional Ability
- EB-2 India will remain at January 1, 2013
- EB-2 China will remain at October 1, 2020
- EB-2 All other countries will remain at June 22, 2023
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
- EB-3 India will advance by 2 weeks to April 15, 2013
- EB-3 China will remain at November 1, 2020
- EB-3 All other countries will remain at January 1, 2023
EB-3 Other Workers
- EB-3 India will advance by 2 weeks to April 15, 2013
- EB-3 China will remain at April 1, 2017
- EB-3 All other countries will remain at May 22, 2021
EB-4 Religious Workers
- Unavailable
As predicted by the State Department and announced on February 28, 2025, all available EB-4 immigrant visas for FY 2025 were issued as of February 28, requiring the State Department to make the category unavailable immediately.
EB-4 will be unavailable for the month of May and continuing through the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2025. No immigrant visa or adjustment of status applications may be approved in the EB-4 category through that date. The annual limit will reset at the start of the new fiscal year on October 1, 2025.
EB-5 Unreserved Categories (C5, T5, I5, and R5)
- India will retrogress by 6 months to May 1, 2019
- China will remain at January 22, 2014
- All other countries will remain current
EB-5 Set-Aside Categories (Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure) will also remain current,
*The bold represents the Visa Bulletin advancements
| Employment- based |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| 1st | C | 08NOV22 | 15FEB22 | C | C |
| 2nd | 22JUN23 | 01OCT20 | 01JAN13 | 22JUN23 | 22JUN23 |
| 3rd | 01JAN23 | 01NOV20 | 15APR13 | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 |
| Other Workers | 22MAY21 | 01APR17 | 15APR13 | 22MAY21 | 22MAY21 |
| 4th | U | U | U | U | U |
| Certain Religious Workers | U | U | U | U | U |
| 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5, NU, RU) |
C | 22JAN14 | 01MAY19 | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: Rural (20%, including NR, RR) |
C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: High Unemployment (10%, including NH, RH) |
C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: Infrastructure (2%, including RI) |
C | C | C | C | C |
DATES FOR FILING FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES
According to the Department of State’s May 2025 Visa Bulletin, the following Dates for Filing cutoff dates will apply in May:
*No change from the April 2025 Visa Bulletin
EB-1 Aliens of extraordinary ability, Outstanding Professors and Researchers, and Certain Multinational Managers or Executives
- EB-1 India will remain at April 15, 2022
- EB-1 China will remain at January 1, 2023
- EB-1 All other countries will remain current
EB-2 Members of the Professions and Aliens of Exceptional Ability
- EB-2 India will remain at February 1, 2013
- EB-2 China will remain at November 1, 2020
- EB-2 All other countries will remain at August 1, 2023
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
- EB-3 India will remain at June 8, 2013
- EB-3 China will remain at November 15, 2020
- EB-3 All other countries will remain at March 1, 2023
EB-3 Other Workers
- EB-3 India will remain at June 8, 2013
- EB-3 China will remain at January 1, 2018
- EB-3 All other countries will remain at June 22, 2021
EB-4 Special Immigrants and Religious Workers
- EB-4 will remain at February 1, 2021
EB-5 Unreserved Categories (C5, T5, I5, and R5)
- India will remain at April 1, 2022
- China will remain at October 1, 2016
- All other countries will remain current
EB-5 Set-Aside Categories (Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure) will also remain current
| Employment- based |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| 1st | C | 01JAN23 | 15APR22 | C | C |
| 2nd | 01AUG23 | 01NOV20 | 01FEB13 | 01AUG23 | 01AUG23 |
| 3rd | 01MAR23 | 15NOV20 | 08JUN13 | 01MAR23 | 01MAR23 |
| Other Workers | 22JUN21 | 01JAN18 | 08JUN13 | 22JUN21 | 22JUN21 |
| 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: NR, RR – 20%) |
C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: (High Unemployment: NH, RH – 10%) |
C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: (Infrastructure: RI – 2%) |
C | C | C | C | C |
FINAL ACTION DATES FOR FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASES
According to the Department of State’s May 2025 Visa Bulletin, the following Final Action cutoff dates will apply for family-sponsored categories in the month of May.
F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F1 Mexico will advance by 3.6 months to April 22, 2005
- F1 Philippines will remain at July 15, 2012
- F1 All other countries will remain at March 15, 2016
F-2A Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
- F2A Mexico will remain at May 15, 2021
- F2A All other countries will remain at January 1, 2022
F-2B Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents
- F2B Mexico will remain at January 1, 2006
- F2B Philippines will advance by 2.4 weeks to February 8, 2012
- F2B All other countries will remain at July 22, 2016
F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F3 Mexico will remain at January 15, 2001
- F3 Philippines will advance by 6 months to September 22, 2003
- F3 All other countries will remain at April 1, 2011
F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- F4 Mexico will remain at March 15, 2001
- F4 Philippines will advance by 5 months to June 1, 2005
- F4 India will remain at June 15, 2006
- F4 All other countries (China and Worldwide) will advance by 5 months to January 1, 2008
*The bold represents the Visa Bulletin advancements
| Family- Sponsored |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA-mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 15MAR16 | 15MAR16 | 15MAR16 | 22APR05 | 15JUL12 |
| F2A | 01JAN22 | 01JAN22 | 01JAN22 | 15MAY21 | 01JAN22 |
| F2B | 22JUL16 | 22JUL16 | 22JUL16 | 01JAN06 | 08FEB12 |
| F3 | 01APR11 | 01APR11 | 01APR11 | 15JAN01 | 22SEP03 |
| F4 | 01JAN08 | 01JAN08 | 15JUN06 | 15MAR01 | 01JUN05 |
DATES FOR FILING FOR FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASES
According to the Department of State’s May 2025 Visa Bulletin, the following Dates for Filing cutoff dates will apply in the month of May.
F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F1 Mexico will remain at April 1, 2006
- F1 Philippines will remain at April 22, 2015
- F1 All other countries will remain at September 1, 2017
F-2A Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
- F2A All countries will advance by 3.6 months to February 1, 2025
F-2B Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents
- F2B Mexico will remain at April 1, 2007
- F2B Philippines will remain at October 1, 2013
- F2B All other countries will remain at January 1, 2017
F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F3 Mexico will remain at June 15, 2001
- F3 Philippines will remain at September 22, 2004
- F3 All other countries will remain at July 22, 2012
F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- F4 Mexico will remain at April 30, 2001
- F4 Philippines will remain at January 1, 2008
- F4 India will remain at October 1, 2006
- F4 All other countries (China and Worldwide) will advance by 2 months to June 1, 2008
*The bold represents the Visa Bulletin advancements
| Family- Sponsored |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 01APR06 | 22APR15 |
| F2A | 01FEB25 | 01FEB25 | 01FEB25 | 01FEB25 | 01FEB25 |
| F2B | 01JAN17 | 01JAN17 | 01JAN17 | 01APR07 | 01OCT13 |
| F3 | 22JUL12 | 22JUL12 | 22JUL12 | 15JUN01 | 22SEP04 |
| F4 | 01JUN08 | 01JUN08 | 01OCT06 | 30APR01 | 01JAN0 |
Conclusion
Unfortunately, in the month of May there will be no movement in the Dates for Filing Chart and limited movement in the Final Action Dates for employment-based categories.
In the Final Action Dates India EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers and India EB-3 Other Workers will advance by 2 weeks to April 15, 2013
In the EB-5 Unreserved Categories (C5, T5, I5, and R5), India will retrogress by 6 months to May 1, 2019.
For the family-sponsored categories, the Final Action Dates for F1 Mexico will advance by 3.6 months to April 22, 2005, F2B Philippines will advance by 2.4 weeks to February 8, 2012, F3 Philippines will advance by 6 months to September 22, 2003, F4 Philippines will advance by 5 months to June 1, 2005, and F4 China and Worldwide will advance by 5 months to January 1, 2008.
In the Dates for Filing Chart, F2A All countries will advance by 3.6 months to February 1, 2025, and F4 China and Worldwide will advance by 2 months to June 1, 2008.
As we do every month, we will keep you updated on the upcoming movement and changes in the Visa Bulletin right here on our blog.
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Helpful Links
- May 2025 Visa Bulletin
- April 2025 Visa Bulletin
- Adjustment of Status Filing Dates from Visa Bulletin
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- Know your Rights Card (English)
- Know your Rights Card (Spanish)
- ICE Online Detainee Locator System
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- Immigrant Visa Backlog Report
- ImmigrationLawyerBlog
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