The Immigration Team at Song Law Firm would like to provide you with an update regarding the Department of State’s October 2025 Visa Bulletin. Please refer to the tables below for details:
FINAL ACTION DATES FOR FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASE
| Family- Sponsored |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA-mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 11/08/2016 | 11/08/2016 | 11/08/2016 | 11/22/2005 | 01/22/2013 |
| F2A | 02/01/2024 | 02/01/2024 | 02/01/2022 | 02/01/2023 | 02/01/2024 |
| F2B | 11/22/2016 | 11/22/2016 | 11/22/2016 | 12/15/2007 | 10/01/2012 |
| F3 | 09/08/2011 | 09/08/2011 | 09/08/2011 | 04/15/2001 | 09/22/2004 |
| F4 | 01/08/2008 | 01/08/2008 | 11/01/2006 | 04/08/2001 | 03/22/2006 |
DATES FOR FILING FAMILY-SPONSORED VISA APPLICATIONS
| Family- Sponsored |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 09/01/2017 | 09/01/2017 | 09/01/2017 | 10/08/2006 | 04/22/2015 |
| F2A | 09/22/2025 | 09/22/2025 | 09/22/2025 | 09/22/2025 | 09/22/2025 |
| F2B | 01/01/2017 | 01/01/2017 | 01/01/2017 | 12/15/2008 | 10/01/2013 |
| F3 | 07/22/2012 | 07/22/2012 | 07/22/2012 | 06/15/2001 | 08/01/2005 |
| F4 | 03/01/2009 | 03/01/2009 | 12/15/2006 | 04/30/2001 | 01/01/2008 |
FINAL ACTION DATES FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES
| Employment- based |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| 1st | C | 12/22/2022 | 02/15/2022 | C | C |
| 2nd | 12/01/2023 | 04/01/2021 | 04/01/2013 | 12/01/2023 | 12/01/2023 |
| 3rd | 04/01/2023 | 03/01/2021 | 08/22/2013 | 04/01/2023 | 04/01/2023 |
| Other Workers | 07/15/2021 | 12/01/2017 | 08/22/2013 | 07/15/2021 | 07/15/2021 |
| 4th | 07/01/2020 | 07/01/2020 | 07/01/2020 | 07/01/2020 | 07/01/2020 |
| Certain Religious Workers | U | U | U | U | U |
| 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5, NU, RU) | C | 12/08/2015 | 02/01/2021 | 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 OF EMPLOYMENT-BASED VISA APPLICATIONS
| Employment- based |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| 1st | C | 01/01/2023 | 04/15/2022 | C | C |
| 2nd | 07/15/2024 | 01/01/2021 | 02/01/2013 | 11/15/2023 | 11/15/2023 |
| 3rd | 07/01/2023 | 12/22/2020 | 06/08/2013 | 05/01/2023 | 05/01/2023 |
| Other Workers | 12/01/2021 | 01/01/2018 | 06/08/2013 | 07/22/2021 | 07/22/2021 |
| 4th | 02/15/2021 | 02/15/2021 | 02/15/2021 | 02/15/2021 | 02/15/2021 |
| Certain Religious Workers | U | U | U | U | U |
| 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5) | C | 07/01/2016 | 04/01/2022 | 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 |
The U.S. Department of State’s October 2025 Visa Bulletin announced that H.R. 1968, signed on March 15, 2025, extended the Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR) category until September 30, 2025. No SR visas may be issued overseas, or final action taken on adjustment of status cases, after midnight September 29, 2025. Visas issued prior to that date will be valid only until September 29, 2025, and all individuals seeking admission in the non-minister special immigrant category must be admitted (repeat admitted) into the United States no later than midnight September 29, 2025.
The SR category is listed as “Unavailable” for all countries for October. In the event there is legislative action extending the category, it is likely it will become available effective immediately. If extended, the category will be subject to the same dates for filing and final action dates as the other Employment Fourth Preference categories per applicable foreign state of chargeability.
ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS FILING CHARTS PROVIDED BY USCIS
For individuals residing in the United States and applying for a green card through Adjustment of Status, it is important to pay attention not only to the Visa Bulletin but also to official announcements from USCIS. USCIS provides guidance on its “Adjustment of Status Filing Charts from the Visa Bulletin” page, indicating whether to use the Dates for Filing or Final Action Dates chart for eligibility to submit Form I-485 during a given month. For the October Visa Bulletin, USCIS has announced the following:
- Family-Sponsored Preference Categories: Use the Dates for Filing Chart
- Employment-Based Preference Categories: Use the Dates for Filing Chart
Please note that when filing a Form I-485 Application to Adjust Status within the United States, failing to confirm your Priority Date against the Visa Bulletin’s Dates for Filing or Final Action Dates may result in your application being rejected and returned. You can submit Form I-485 only if your Priority Date is earlier than the applicable Dates in the Visa Bulletin and USCIS’s Adjustment of Status Filing Charts. If your Priority Date is later than these dates, you must wait to file your application.
If you have any questions about green cards or immigrant visas, please feel free to contact us at mail@songlawfirm.com.
