Green Card Wait Times in June 2025: Check Your Visa Bulletin Status

The US Department of State releases a monthly Visa Bulletin to show when people can apply for or get a green card. The June 2025 Visa Bulletin provides updates on family-based and employment-based visa categories, affecting applicants waiting for permanent residency.

What is the Visa Bulletin?

The Visa Bulletin tells you if your place in the green card line is ready (called “current”) based on your priority date. The priority date is when your visa petition was filed with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Each month, the bulletin lists:

• Final Action Dates: When your green card can be approved.
• Dates for Filing: When you can submit your adjustment of status (AOS) application if you’re in the US.

For June 2025, USCIS requires:

• Family-based categories: Use the Dates for Filing chart.
• Employment-based categories: Use the Final Action Dates chart.

Family-Based Visa Categories

Family-based visas are for relatives of US citizens or permanent residents. The June 2025 Visa Bulletin shows these changes:

• F-1 (Unmarried Sons and Daughters of US Citizens): Advances by about 3 months to June 8, 2016, for most countries (except Mexico: November 22, 2002, and Philippines: November 8, 2004).
• F-2A (Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents): No change, remains frozen for all countries.
• F-2B (Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents): Advances by 2 months to September 22, 2016, for most countries (except Mexico and Philippines, which stay frozen).
• F-3 (Married Sons and Daughters of US Citizens): Advances by over 2 months to June 22, 2016, for most countries (except Mexico: July 1, 2001, and Philippines: March 8, 2003).
• F-4 (Siblings of US Citizens): No change for most countries, but India advances by 2 months to December 1, 2006.

Impact for Indian Applicants: The F-4 category for India moved forward, but backlogs remain long (over 18 years). If your priority date is before December 1, 2006, you can file for AOS in June 2025 if you’re in the US.

Employment-Based Visa Categories

Employment-based visas are for workers sponsored by US employers. The June 2025 Visa Bulletin shows limited movement:

• EB-1 (Priority Workers): No change. India stays at February 15, 2022; China at November 8, 2022. Other countries remain current (no backlog).
• EB-2 (Professionals with Advanced Degrees):
  • India: No change, stays at January 1, 2013.
  • China: Advances by 2 months to December 1, 2020.
  • Other countries: Advances by nearly 4 months to October 15, 2023.
• EB-3 (Skilled Workers/Professionals):
  • India: No change, stays at April 15, 2013.
  • China: Advances by 3 weeks to April 22, 2020.
  • Other countries: Advances by 5 weeks to February 8, 2023.
• EB-3 Other Workers:
  • India: No change, stays at April 15, 2013.
  • China: No change, stays at April 1, 2017.
  • Other countries: Advances to June 22, 2021.
• EB-4 (Certain Special Immigrants): Unavailable for all countries until October 1, 2025, as the annual limit was reached on February 28, 2025.
• EB-5 (Investors):
  • India: Retrogressed to May 1, 2019 (back 6 months).
  • China: Stays at January 22, 2014.
  • Other countries: Current (no backlog). Set-aside categories (Rural, High Unemployment, Infrastructure) remain current.

Impact for Indian Applicants: No progress in EB-1, EB-2, or EB-3 categories, with backlogs of 12–13 years. EB-5 retrogression means Indian investors with priority dates before May 1, 2019, can apply for AOS, but others must wait.

Why Limited Movement?

The US has annual visa limits: 226,000 for family-based and at least 140,000 for employment-based visas in fiscal year 2025. High-demand countries like India, China, Mexico, and the Philippines face backlogs due to per-country limits (7% of total visas, or 25,620). The Department of State moves dates cautiously to avoid exceeding these limits.

Financial Requirements

While the Visa Bulletin doesn’t specify financial requirements, AOS applicants must show they won’t rely on public funds:

• Affidavit of Support (Form I-864): For family-based visas, the sponsor needs a minimum income of 125% of the US poverty guidelines (e.g., $19,720 for a family of 2 in 2025).
• Employment-Based Applicants: Must show job offer stability or personal funds (no fixed amount, but typically $1,000–$2,000/month in savings is recommended).
• Documents: Provide bank statements, payslips, or tax returns for 1–3 years.

Tips to Avoid Delays

• Check Your Priority Date: Ensure it’s before the listed date in the June 2025 Visa Bulletin for your category and country. Visit www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo for updates.
• Prepare Documents Early: Gather proof of income, job offer, or sponsorship. Missing documents can delay your AOS or lead to rejection.
• File Promptly: If your priority date is current in the Dates for Filing chart (family-based) or Final Action Dates chart (employment-based), file your AOS in June 2025 to secure work and travel permits.
• Monitor Updates: Dates can move forward, stay the same, or retrogress (move backward). Check the July 2025 Visa Bulletin in mid-June.
• Get Legal Help: Consult an immigration lawyer for complex cases, especially for Indian applicants facing long backlogs.

Why These Rules?

The US limits visas to manage immigration and prevent any country from taking too many spots. High demand from India (e.g., 1.2 million in employment-based backlogs as of 2023) causes long waits, especially in EB-2 and EB-3 categories. The Department of State adjusts dates monthly based on demand and available visas.

By understanding the June 2025 Visa Bulletin and preparing your documents, you can improve your chances of moving forward with your green card application. Always check www.travel.state.gov for the latest bulletin and official guidance.