Immigration Lawyer Blog
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 February 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 February.
USCIS Adjustment of Status
For employment-based preference categories, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed it will use the Final Action Dates chart to determine filing eligibility for adjustment of status to permanent residence in the month of February.
For family-sponsored preference categories, USCIS will use the Dates for Filing chart to determine filing eligibility for adjustment of status to permanent residence in the month of February.
Please click here for more information.
Highlights of the February 2025 Visa Bulletin
At a Glance
What can we expect to see in the month of February?
Employment-Based Categories
Dates for Filing
- No change from previous month
Final Action Advancements
EB-2 Members of the Professions and Aliens of Exceptional Ability
- EB-2 India will advance by two weeks to October 15, 2012
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
- EB-3 India will advance by two weeks to December 15, 2012
- EB-3 China will advance by one month to July 1, 2020
EB-3 Other Workers
- EB-3 India will advance by two weeks to December 15, 2012
Family-Sponsored Categories
Final Action Advancements
- No change from previous month
Dates for Filing Advancements
- No change from previous month
For more details, please see our analysis of the February 2025 Visa bulletin below.
Employment-Based Categories
FINAL ACTION DATES FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES
According to the Department of State’s February 2025 Visa Bulletin, the following Final Action cutoff dates will apply for employment-based categories in the month of February.
EB-1 Aliens of extraordinary ability, Outstanding Professors and Researchers, and Certain Multinational Managers or Executives
- EB-1 India will remain at February 1, 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 advance by two weeks to October 15, 2012
- EB-2 China will remain at April 22, 2020
- EB-2 All other countries will remain at April 1, 2023
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
- EB-3 India will advance by two weeks to December 15, 2012
- EB-3 China will advance by one month to July 1, 2020
- EB-3 All other countries will remain at December 1, 2022
EB-3 Other Workers
- EB-3 India will advance by two weeks to December 15, 2012
- EB-3 China will remain at January 1, 2017
- EB-3 All other countries will remain at December 8, 2020
EB-4 Religious Workers
- EB-4 All countries will remain at January 1, 2021
EB-5 Unreserved Categories (C5, T5, I5, and R5)
- India will remain at January 1, 2022
- China will remain at July 15, 2016
- 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 | 01FEB22 | C | C |
| 2nd | 01APR23 | 22APR20 | 15OCT12 | 01APR23 | 01APR23 |
| 3rd | 01DEC22 | 01JUL20 | 15DEC12 | 01DEC22 | 01DEC22 |
| Other Workers | 08DEC20 | 01JAN17 | 15DEC12 | 08DEC20 | 08DEC20 |
| 4th | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 |
| 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5, NU, RU) |
C | 15JUL16 | 01JAN22 | 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 February 2025 Visa Bulletin, the following Dates for Filing cutoff dates will apply in February:
- No change from previous month
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 January 1, 2013
- EB-2 China will remain at October 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 May 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 | 01OCT20 | 01JAN13 | 01AUG23 | 01AUG23 |
| 3rd | 01MAR23 | 15NOV20 | 08JUN13 | 01MAR23 | 01MAR23 |
| Other Workers | 22MAY21 | 01JAN18 | 08JUN13 | 22MAY21 | 22MAY21 |
| 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 February 2025 Visa Bulletin, the following Final Action cutoff dates will apply for family-sponsored categories in the month of February.
- No change from previous month
F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F1 Mexico will remain at November 22, 2004
- F1 Philippines will remain at March 8, 2012
- F1 All other countries will remain at November 22, 2015
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 July 1, 2005
- F2B Philippines will remain at October 22, 2011
- F2B All other countries will remain at May 22, 2016
F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F3 Mexico will remain at November 22, 2000
- F3 Philippines will remain at November 8, 2002
- F3 All other countries will remain at July 1, 2010
F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- F4 Mexico will remain at March 1, 2001
- F4 Philippines will remain at May 1, 2004
- F4 India will remain at April 8, 2006
- F4 All other countries will remain at August 1, 2007
| Family- Sponsored |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA-mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 22NOV15 | 22NOV15 | 22NOV15 | 22NOV04 | 08MAR12 |
| F2A | 01JAN22 | 01JAN22 | 01JAN22 | 15MAY21 | 01JAN22 |
| F2B | 22MAY16 | 22MAY16 | 22MAY16 | 01JUL05 | 22OCT11 |
| F3 | 01JUL10 | 01JUL10 | 01JUL10 | 22NOV00 | 08NOV02 |
| F4 | 01AUG07 | 01AUG07 | 08APR06 | 01MAR01 | 01MAY04 |
DATES FOR FILING FOR FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASES
According to the Department of State’s February 2025 Visa Bulletin, the following Dates for Filing cutoff dates will apply in the month of February.
- No change from previous month
F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F1 Mexico will remain at October 1, 2005
- 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 remain at July 15, 2024
F-2B Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents
- F2B Mexico will remain at October 1, 2006
- 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 May 8, 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 August 15, 2006
- F4 All other countries will remain at March 1, 2008
| Family- Sponsored |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 01OCT05 | 22APR15 |
| F2A | 15JUL24 | 15JUL24 | 15JUL24 | 15JUL24 | 15JUL24 |
| F2B | 01JAN17 | 01JAN17 | 01JAN17 | 01OCT06 | 01OCT13 |
| F3 | 22JUL12 | 22JUL12 | 22JUL12 | 15JUN01 | 08MAY04 |
| F4 | 01MAR08 | 01MAR08 | 15AUG06 | 30APR01 | 01JAN08 |
Conclusion
Unfortunately, the February Visa Bulletin does not bring great news for the family sponsored categories. No forward movement can be seen in both charts when compared to the January Visa Bulletin.
Additionally, the employment-based Dates for Filing remain unchanged. The only categories that advanced were the Final Action Dates for EB-2 India which advanced by two weeks to October 15, 2012, EB-3 India (professional and skilled workers) which advanced by two weeks to December 15, 2012, EB-3 China which advanced by one month to July 1, 2020, and EB-3 India (other workers) which advanced by two weeks to December 15, 2012.
Now that President Trump is back in office, new policy measures or executive orders could prolong the immigrant visa process at U.S. Consulates and Embassies overseas.
That is why it is important for applicants to remain in close contact with the National Visa Center to ensure their case is documentarily qualified. If your priority date is current and you have been waiting for interview scheduling for an unreasonable period of time, speak with an immigration attorney to discuss your options.
If you found this information helpful, please share it with your friends and family members to help them keep track of the Visa Bulletin.
Contact Us. If you would like to schedule a consultation, please text 619-569-1768 or call 619-819-9204.
Helpful Links
- February 2025 Visa Bulletin
- January 2025 Visa Bulletin
- Adjustment of Status Filing Dates from Visa Bulletin
- USCIS Processing Times
- Immigrant Visa Backlog Report
- ImmigrationLawyerBlog
- ImmigrationU Membership
- Success stories
- Youtube channel
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