The US Department of State has released the April 2025 Visa Bulletin, bringing significant changes to employment-based (EB) and family-sponsored visa categories. While some categories have advanced, others—especially India’s EB-5 Unreserved category—have faced severe retrogression, pushing back priority dates by over two years. This shift is expected to increase interview wait times for Indian applicants, adding to the already complex US immigration process.
If you're planning to apply for a US visa or waiting for your green card approval, here's what you need to know about the latest visa bulletin and its impact.
April 2025 Visa Bulletin
Employment-Based (EB) Categories: Mixed Results for India and China
The latest visa bulletin reveals a setback for India and China’s EB-5 Unreserved category, while other employment-based categories have seen movement:
- India's EB-5 Unreserved category has retrogressed by more than two years to November 1, 2019.
- China’s EB-5 Unreserved category has moved back by approximately two and a half years to January 22, 2014.
- India’s EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 categories have advanced, offering some relief to applicants in these categories.
- EB-4 visas remain unavailable for all countries until October 1, 2025.
These changes mean Indian applicants in the EB-5 category will face additional delays before their cases can proceed to final approval and interviews.
Family-Sponsored Green Cards: Longer Wait Times
Family-based immigration is also seeing setbacks for Indian applicants:
- Most family-sponsored categories for India have moved backward, causing longer wait times.
- For instance, if you’re an unmarried adult child of a US citizen (F1 category), the final action date has retrogressed, delaying approvals.
- Similarly, siblings of US citizens under the F4 category will now have extended wait times before their cases are processed.
Even though some 'Dates for Filing' have advanced, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) uses Final Action Dates for green card approvals. Since those dates have moved back, applicants will need to wait longer, despite being eligible to submit paperwork earlier.
Why This Means Longer Visa Interview Wait Times for Indians
1. Retrogression Leads to Increased Backlog
When priority dates move backward (retrogress), it means that fewer applicants are eligible to have their applications finalized in the given month. This leads to a pile-up of pending cases, increasing the demand for interview slots.
2. Higher Demand for Limited Interview Slots
Since final action dates dictate when applications can be approved, those affected by retrogression must wait for their dates to become current again. Once they do, a large number of applicants will compete for limited interview slots, causing further delays.
3. Impact on Family-Sponsored Visas
Family-sponsored categories are already experiencing long wait times. With more retrogression in these categories, US embassies in India—especially those in New Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai—will see an increase in demand for visa interviews, further straining the system.
4. USCIS Using Final Action Dates for April 2025
For April 2025, USCIS has announced that they will use Final Action Dates for employment-based categories. This means that even if your Date for Filing has advanced, your case will not move forward unless your Final Action Date is current, adding to overall delays in visa processing.
FLAG Deleting H-1B Records: What It Means for Applicants
In a separate development, the Foreign Labor Access Gateway (FLAG) has started deleting older case records.
- Starting March 20, 2025, any case finalized five years ago will be deleted.
- For example, if your case was finalized on March 22, 2020, it will be deleted on March 22, 2025.
This highlights the importance of keeping records updated and ensuring that necessary documents are secured before they are removed from the system.
What Can Indian Applicants Do?
With longer interview wait times expected, here are some proactive steps you can take:
1. Track Your Priority Date
Regularly check the Visa Bulletin and monitor changes in priority dates to stay informed about potential delays.
2. File Your Documentation Early
Even if final action dates have retrogressed, ensuring that your documentation is ready and complete will help you move quickly once your date becomes current.
3. Stay Updated on Embassy Appointments
Keep an eye on appointment availability at US embassies and consulates in India. Consider checking multiple locations (New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata) for possible interview slots.
4. Seek Legal Guidance if Necessary
For those facing complications or uncertainties, consulting an immigration attorney can help navigate the changing landscape and prepare for potential challenges.
Our Final Thoughts
The April 2025 Visa Bulletin brings both advancements and setbacks for Indian applicants. While some employment-based categories have progressed, the EB-5 Unreserved category’s retrogression and family-sponsored delays mean longer wait times for visa interviews.
With demand for interview slots expected to rise, applicants must stay informed, proactive, and prepared. By tracking priority dates, submitting documents early, and monitoring embassy updates, you can better navigate these delays and increase your chances of securing a US visa.
For now, patience and preparation will be key as Indian applicants wait for their turn in the ever-evolving US immigration system.
Disclaimer: Taking Inputs by HT.
