The U.S. Department of State has released the August 2025 Visa Bulletin, providing important updates for family-sponsored and employment-based green card applicants. If you are an Indian applicant waiting for your U.S. green card, here’s everything you need to know in simple terms.

1. Family-Sponsored Green Card Updates for India
   Family-based green cards allow U.S. citizens and Green Card holders to sponsor their close relatives for permanent residency in the United States. These visas are divided into four preference categories (F1–F4), and each category has different waiting times depending on demand and your priority date.
   1. Final Action Dates (India)

   The Final Action Date is the most critical date in the Visa Bulletin for Indian applicants. It indicates when a green card can actually be issued. If your priority date is earlier than the listed date, your green card can finally be approved.

   Let’s break it down category by category for August 2025:F1 – Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
   • Final Action Date: 15 July 2016
   • If you are the unmarried adult child of a U.S. citizen, and your priority date is before July 15, 2016, your case is now eligible for a green card.
   • Estimated wait time: Around 9 years for Indian applicants.

   The F1 category is very slow, and the backlog is almost a decade for Indian applicants.

   2. F2A – Spouses and Minor Children of Green Card Holders
      • Final Action Date: 01 September 2022
      • This category is highly favorable right now. If you are a Green Card holder in India sponsoring your spouse or unmarried children under 21, your family can receive green cards very quickly.
      • Estimated wait time: Around 2–3 years, which is extremely short compared to other categories.

      Highlight:

      • This is the fastest-moving family category for Indians.
      • If you are a permanent resident, now is the best time to sponsor your spouse or minor children.

   3. F2B – Unmarried Adult Children of Green Card Holders
      • Final Action Date: 15 October 2016
      • This category is for unmarried children (21 or older) of Green Card holders.
      • If your priority date is before October 15, 2016, your case is now current for final processing.
      • Estimated wait time: About 9 years.

      The F2B category is very slow, similar to F1, and families often wait nearly a decade.

   4. F3 – Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
      • Final Action Date: 01 August 2011
      • If you are the married child of a U.S. citizen, your case will only move forward if your priority date is before August 1, 2011.
      • Estimated wait time: Around 14 years or longer.

      Note: This is one of the slowest categories for Indians. Applicants who started in 2011 are only now getting approvals.

   5. F4 – Brothers and Sisters of U.S. Citizens
      • Final Action Date: 01 November 2006
      • This category is for siblings of U.S. citizens.
      • Only those with a priority date earlier than November 1, 2006 can now receive a green card.
      • Estimated wait time: A staggering 18–19 years.

   The F4 category is heavily backlogged. If you are sponsoring a brother or sister from India, be prepared for a very long wait.

Overall Key Highlights for Indian Applicants

1. F2A is the most favorable category – Green Card holders can bring spouses and children with minimal delay.
2. F1, F2B, and F3 are slow, with 8–14 year waits.
3. F4 (siblings) has an 18–19 year backlog, making it the longest wait time for Indian families.
4. Action Tip: If you are eligible under F2A, file as soon as possible to take advantage of the short wait.

Employment-Based (EB) Green Card Updates for India – August 2025

Employment-based (EB) green cards are issued based on professional skills, education, or investment in the U.S. They are divided into five main categories (EB-1 to EB-5). Each category has a Final Action Date (when a green card can be issued) and a Date for Filing (when you can submit your application to USCIS or the National Visa Center).

Final Action Dates (India)

The Final Action Date determines when your green card can actually be approved. For Indian applicants in August 2025:

• EB-1 – Priority Workers:
• Final Action Date: 15 February 2022
• Who Qualifies: Extraordinary ability professionals, multinational executives, and outstanding professors/researchers
• Approx. Wait Time: ~3 years
• Key Insight: EB-1 is moving steadily and is the best option for top talent from India.
• EB-2 – Advanced Degree / Exceptional Ability:
• Final Action Date: 01 January 2013
• Who Qualifies: Professionals with Master’s or Ph.D., or those with exceptional ability (including National Interest Waiver applicants)
• Wait Time: 12+ years
• ⚠ Key Insight: Heavily backlogged; movement is extremely slow for Indian applicants.
• EB-3 – Skilled & Professional Workers:
• Final Action Date: 22 May 2013
• Who Qualifies: Skilled workers (2+ years of experience) or bachelor’s degree professionals
• Wait Time: 12+ years
• ⚠ Key Insight: Similar to EB-2; long delays for Indian applicants.
• EB-3 Other Workers (Unskilled):
• Final Action Date: 22 May 2013
• Wait Time: 12+ years
• Note: Same backlog as EB-3, making it a very slow route for Indians.
• EB-4 – Special Immigrants:
• Final Action Date: Unavailable (U)
• Who Qualifies: Religious workers, U.S. government employees abroad, and other special cases
• Note: No green cards available this month.
• EB-5 – Investor Green Cards:
• Unreserved (Standard EB-5): 15 November 2019 → ~5–6 years wait
• Set-Asides (Rural / High Unemployment / Infrastructure): Current → Fastest approval for Indian investors
• Key Insight: EB-5 Set-Asides are the quickest way for Indian investors to get a U.S. green card right now.

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• 💡 Key Takeaways for Final Action Dates
• EB-2 and EB-3 for India are severely backlogged with 12+ year waits.
• EB-1 is viable for highly skilled professionals with a shorter ~3-year wait.
• EB-5 Set-Asides are current, providing the fastest green card option for Indian investors.
• EB-4 is unavailable this month.

Dates for Filing (India)

The Date for Filing indicates when you can submit your green card application, even if your green card cannot yet be issued. Filing early helps you secure your place in line and start document processing.

For Indian applicants in August 2025:s
• EB-1: 15 April 2022 → Eligible applicants can file now.
• EB-2: 01 February 2013 → Only applicants with very old priority dates can file.
• EB-3: 08 June 2013 → Still highly backlogged for India.
• EB-3 Other Workers: 08 June 2013 → Same delay as EB-3.
• EB-5 Unreserved: 01 April 2022 → Standard investor applications are moving.
• EB-5 Set-Asides: Current → File immediately for the fastest route.

💡 Filing Advantage for Indian Applicants

1. EB-1 and EB-5 Set-Asides offer the best opportunities for faster filing and approval.
2. EB-2 and EB-3 remain heavily delayed, so filing is limited to older priority dates.
3. EB-5 Set-Asides are the best option for investors seeking quicker green cards with almost no wait.

Important August 2025 Alerts for Indian Applicants

The August 2025 Visa Bulletin comes with some critical updates and warnings for Indian green card applicants.

🔹 Retrogression Warnings

• EB-2 (Rest of World) has retrogressed due to extremely high global demand.
• EB-3 and EB-3 Other Workers (India) are at risk of retrogression or even becoming unavailable in September 2025.
• ⚠ What This Means: If your priority date is current now, file as soon as possible to secure your place in line before further delays.

🔹 EB-5 Advantage for Indians

• Unused family-based green cards are expected to roll over to the EB-5 category, which will benefit Indian investors.
• Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure Set-Aside EB-5 visas are current, allowing much faster green card approvals.
• ✅ Key Takeaway: If you’re an investor from India, this is the fastest path to a U.S. green card right now.

🔹 Family-Based F2A Remains Strong

• Spouses and children of Green Card holders continue to enjoy quick processing.
• ✅ Action Tip: If you are a Green Card holder, file immediately for your spouse or minor children to take advantage of the favorable F2A window.

Diversity Visa (DV) 2025 Reminder

• India is not eligible for the Diversity Visa Lottery in 2025 due to high immigration volume in recent years.
• The DV Lottery is only for countries with low U.S. immigration rates.
• ❌ Key Insight: Indians cannot apply for the DV Lottery this year.

Summary for Indian Applicants – August 2025

If you’re planning to apply for a U.S. green card from India, here are the key takeaways:
• EB-2 and EB-3:
• 12+ year wait times
• Possible retrogression in September 2025
• EB-1:
• Moving slowly but best for top talent, executives, and researchers
• EB-5 Set-Asides:
• Fastest green card option for Indian investors
• Rural/High Unemployment/Infrastructure visas are current
• Family F2A:
• Most favorable family category
• Allows quick green cards for spouses and minor children of Green Card holders
• F4 Siblings:
• Very long backlog of 18+ years

💡 Final Advice for Indian Applicants

• Check your priority date now and file immediately if your category is current.
• Consider EB-5 Set-Asides if you want the fastest path to U.S. residency.
• Family Green Card holders should not delay F2A applications, as it remains the most favorable category.

Confused about retrogressions and priority dates?

Let our U.S. visa experts guide you step by step.