Visa Bulletin: October 2025 - Updates Across Employment-Based Visas

This PDF explains the October 2025 Visa Bulletin, outlining key updates in employment-based green card categories—EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4, and EB-5. It details the latest Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing, showing where priority dates have moved and what that means for applicants. The guide also highlights EB-2 NIW timelines, processing updates, and requirements, offering practical insights for skilled workers and entrepreneurs. Casium Immigration presents this resource to help you track changes, prepare documents, and plan your next steps with confidence.

1. Visa Bulletin: October 2025 - Updates Across
Employment-Based Visas
October marks the start of the new fiscal year, which means employment-based visa numbers
reset and fresh allocations open up. The October 2025 Visa Bulletin reflects forward
movement across most EB categories, giving applicants in several backlogged lines some
long-awaited relief. Perhaps the most notable update is the return of the EB-4 category, which
had been listed as “unavailable” in September. This reopening signals renewed availability for
applicants in that category, a much-anticipated development.
Final Action Dates: month-over-month
changes vs. September
When we look at the Final Action Dates (FADs) October brought a mix of small advances and
bigger shifts across the board. In the EB-1 category, China inched forward to December 22,

2. 2022, while India held steady at February 15, 2022; the rest of the world remained current,
meaning applicants can continue to move ahead without delay.
The EB-2 category saw more meaningful progress: worldwide (including Mexico and the
Philippines) advanced three months to December 1, 2023, China pushed forward to April 1,
2021 (up from December 2020), and India moved modestly to April 1, 2013.
For EB-3 professionals and skilled workers, the worldwide category stayed flat at April 1,
2023, but China advanced to March 1, 2021 and India crept forward to August 22, 2013. Within
the EB-3 “Other Workers” subcategory, small but noticeable changes appeared: worldwide
moved by a week to July 15, 2021, China jumped several months to December 1, 2017, while
India held steady at August 22, 2013.
A particularly important update comes in EB-4, which reopened after being “unavailable” in
September—now set at July 1, 2020 for all countries—though the Religious Workers
subcategory remains unavailable pending congressional action.
Finally, the EB-5 unreserved category saw one of the most dramatic shifts, with India leaping
forward more than a year to February 1, 2021, while China stayed at December 8, 2015 and all
other countries remained current.
Dates for Filing: where you can start
your paperwork sooner
While Final Action Dates determine when a green card can be approved, the Dates for Filing
(DFF) are equally important because they dictate when applicants can submit their
paperwork and formally enter the queue. DFF opens the door to filing your Adjustment of
Status (AOS) and potentially receiving work or travel authorization while you wait.
In October, several categories saw forward movement on the filing chart. For EB-1, China
advanced significan tly to May 15, 2023 (up from January 1, 2023), giving applicants with more
recent priority dates the chance to file; India remained at April 15, 2023; and the rest of the
world continues to be current, meaning applicants everywhere else can submit regardless of
their priority date.
The EB-2 category saw notable gains: worldwide, including Mexico and the Philippines,
jumped forward eight months to July 15, 2024; China inched ahead to December 1, 2021; and
India moved slightly to December 1, 2013, improving from its previous February 1, 2013
cutoff. In EB-3, filing dates also pushed forward, worldwide rose to July 1, 2023 (from May 1,
2023), China advanced to January 1, 2022 (from late 2020), and India saw welcome progress
to August 15, 2014, compared to June 8, 2013 in September.
NOTE: inside the U.S., you can only use these DFF dates if USCIS decides to follow the filing
chart for the month. USCIS makes that determination each month on its “When to File” page.

3. For example, in September they required applicants to use the stricter Final Action Dates
instead. Before submitting, always double-check which chart applies for October 2025, since
it directly impacts whether you can move forward with your application this month.
What this means for you
October’s movement means different things depending on where you stand. If your priority
date is now earlier than the Final Action Date for your category and country, your case can be
approved as soon as the rest of your paperwork is ready.
If your date falls before the Date for Filing, and USCIS allows that chart to be used in October,
you may be able to submit your Adjustment of Status, gaining access to work and travel
authorization while your green card is still pending.
And you’re getting close to current, then it's wise to gather your civil documents, schedule
your Form I-693 medical exam, and update employer letters so that you can act quickly the
moment your date becomes eligible. USCIS has relied on Final Action Dates in recent months,
but this can change, so always double-check which chart is in play before moving forward.
At Casium, we help you cut through this complexity by carefully reviewing your timeline,
evidence, and eligibility. If you’re trying to evaluate your profile and understand where you
stand in the pathway toward an employment-based visa, connect with us today for a free
profile evaluation.