Big Boost for EB-5 Applicants: US Visa bulletin brings welcome progress for India and China

There is some good news for Indian and Chinese investors interested in obtaining a US green card. The August 2025 visa bulletin represents significant movement in the EB-5 category, particularly for India and China. With Final Action Dates moving forward by months, if not years, many long-awaited applicants now have a clearer path ahead.

Why are EB-2 and EB-3 facing retrogression warnings?

India's unreserved EB-5 Final Action Date moved forward by more than six months, while China's jumped nearly two years.


Although the EB-2 and EB-3 categories face retrogression pressure, this update represents a positive shift for many employment-based green card applicants.

For countries in the Rest of the World, it is now required to retrogress the EB-2 final action date due to growing usage.

The issue total in this category is quickly approaching the FY-2025 yearly limit, which is why the issuance rates have to slow down.

At some point in August, if not earlier, the annual maximum will probably be achieved. Please take note that if the EB-2 annual maximum is ever reached, the preference category must be made "unavailable" right away, and no more requests for numbers will be fulfilled.

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A retrogression alert for the EB-2 and EB-3 categories was issued by the State Department, which stated that it would continue to monitor the situation and make any required adjustments.

How did India’s EB Visa dates change in August?

With regard to India, the EB-1 Final Action Date is still February 15, 2022. The EB-2 Final Action Date, which is still January 1, 2013, has also not been altered. The April 22, 2013, Final Action Date for EB-3 has been moved up by one month to May 22, 2013. The unreserved EB-5 category advanced six months to November 15, 2019.

What’s the progress for China in the EB-5 category?

August 2025 US visa bulletin for China:

The EB-1 Final Action Date for Chinese applicants is now November 15, 2022. The EB-2 Final Action Date is December 15, 2020, and the EB-3 Final Action Date is December 1, 2020. Even though these groups didn't change a lot, the nearly two-year jump for EB-5 is a big deal.

It could make more wealthy people think about investment-based paths, especially if other job options become more limited because of quota caps.

The Final Action Date is the most important date for deciding whether or not your green card application can be approved. Your case is "current" if your priority date (the date you filed your petition) is earlier than the Final Action Date for your category and country. This means that it can finally move forward.

U.S. immigration authorities will keep an eye on things and make changes as needed, so there will probably be more changes, both forward and backward, in the next few months. But for now, Indian and Chinese EB-5 applicants can relax a little because real progress is finally being made.

FAQs

What is the latest EB-5 Final Action Date for India?
It's now November 15, 2019, six months ahead of last month.

Why is there a warning about EB-2 and EB-3 retrogression?
The categories are approaching their annual visa limit for 2025, so delays or unavailability are possible.