What Is the January 2025 Visa Bulletin, and Why It Matters
Each month, the U.S. Department of State issues the Visa Bulletin, a document that governs the availability of immigrant visas in family-sponsored and employment-based categories. For foreign nationals seeking lawful permanent residence through a family relationship, employment, or investment, the Visa Bulletin determines when the next step in the green card process may begin.
The January 2025 Visa Bulletin reflects continued demand across multiple preference categories, particularly for nationals of India, China, Mexico, and the Philippines, where long-standing backlogs persist.
Importantly, for Adjustment of Status (AOS) filings, USCIS has confirmed that applicants must use the Dates for Filing charts for January. This procedural determination directly impacts who may file Form I-485 this month.
FINAL ACTION DATES – FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCES
| Family-Sponsored | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | CHINA-mainland born | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | 22NOV15 | 22NOV15 | 22NOV15 | 22NOV04 | 08MAR12 |
| F2A | 01JAN22 | 01JAN22 | 01JAN22 | 15MAY21 | 01JAN22 |
| F2B | 22MAY16 | 22MAY16 | 22MAY16 | 01JUL05 | 22OCT11 |
| F3 | 01JUL10 | 01JUL10 | 01JUL10 | 22NOV00 | 08NOV02 |
| F4 | 01AUG07 | 01AUG07 | 08APR06 | 01MAR01 | 01MAY04 |
DATES FOR FILING – FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCES
| Family-Sponsored | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | CHINA-mainland born | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 01OCT05 | 22APR15 |
| F2A | 15JUL24 | 15JUL24 | 15JUL24 | 15JUL24 | 15JUL24 |
| F2B | 01JAN17 | 01JAN17 | 01JAN17 | 01OCT06 | 01OCT13 |
| F3 | 22JUL12 | 22JUL12 | 22JUL12 | 15JUN01 | 08MAY04 |
| F4 | 01MAR08 | 01MAR08 | 15AUG06 | 30APR01 | 01JAN08 |
FINAL ACTION DATES – EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCES
| Employment-Based | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | CHINA-mainland born | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | C | 08NOV22 | 01FEB22 | C | C |
| 2nd | 01APR23 | 22APR20 | 01OCT12 | 01APR23 | 01APR23 |
| 3rd | 01DEC22 | 01JUN20 | 01DEC12 | 01DEC22 | 01DEC22 |
| Other Workers | 08DEC20 | 01JAN17 | 01DEC12 | 08DEC20 | 08DEC20 |
| 4th | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 |
| Certain Religious Workers | U | U | U | U | U |
| 5th Unreserved (C5, T5, I5, R5, NU, RU) | C | 15JUL16 | 01JAN22 | C | C |
| 5th Set Asides (Rural, High Unemployment, Infrastructure) | C | C | C | C | C |
DATES FOR FILING – EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCES
| Employment-Based | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | CHINA-mainland born | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | C | 01DEC22 | 01MAR22 | C | C |
| 2nd | 15JUL23 | 01JUL20 | 15MAY13 | 15JUL23 | 15JUL23 |
| 3rd | 01JAN23 | 01SEP20 | 01SEP13 | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 |
| Other Workers | 01JAN21 | 01SEP15 | 01SEP13 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 |
| 4th | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 |
| 5th Unreserved (C5, T5, I5, R5, NU, RU) | C | 01JAN17 | 01APR22 | C | C |
| 5th Set Asides (Rural, High Unemployment, Infrastructure) | C | C | C | C | C |
USCIS Adjustment of Status Filing Guidance for January 2025
For January 2025, USCIS has designated the Dates for Filing chart as the applicable chart for Adjustment of Status applications in both family-sponsored and employment-based preference categories.
This means that applicants whose priority date is earlier than the Date for Filing listed for their category and country of chargeability may be eligible to file Form I-485, even if a visa number is not yet available under the Final Action Dates chart.
Filing under the Dates for Filing chart may allow eligible applicants to:
- Secure a place in line for green card adjudication
- Apply for employment authorization and advance parole
- Begin the adjustment process while awaiting visa availability
Eligibility to file does not guarantee approval, and filing decisions should be made only after a careful legal review.
What Applicants Should Do Now
If your priority date is within or earlier than the Dates for Filing listed for your category, consider the following steps:
- Confirm with your immigration attorney that USCIS is using the Dates for Filing chart for your category and filing location.
- Begin preparing documentation required for Form I-485, including supporting evidence and required forms.
- Monitor monthly Visa Bulletin updates issued by the Department of State and USCIS.
- Consider the potential impact of retrogression when planning future filings or employment-based sponsorship timelines.
Final Thoughts
The January 2025 Visa Bulletin continues to reflect significant backlogs in several family-sponsored and employment-based categories. Nationals of India and China remain particularly affected in employment-based preferences, while family-based categories for Mexico and the Philippines continue to experience extended wait times.
For foreign investors, the EB-5 Set-Aside categories remain an area of relative availability across all countries. Whether you are an employer managing workforce immigration, a foreign national evaluating Adjustment of Status eligibility, or a family sponsor planning for reunification, timing and strategic preparation remain critical.
At Ahluwalia Law Offices, we provide experienced, case-specific guidance to help clients navigate the evolving immigration framework with clarity and confidence.
FAQ: January 2025 Visa Bulletin and Adjustment of Status
1. What is the January 2025 Visa Bulletin?
The January 2025 Visa Bulletin is issued by the U.S. Department of State and outlines immigrant visa availability by category and country of chargeability. It includes Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing for family-sponsored and employment-based green card cases.
2. Which chart is USCIS using for Adjustment of Status filings in January 2025?
USCIS has confirmed that the Dates for Filing chart must be used for Adjustment of Status filings in both family-sponsored and employment-based categories for January 2025.
3. What does “Dates for Filing” mean?
The Dates for Filing chart identifies when applicants may submit Form I-485 to USCIS, even if a visa number is not yet available for final approval. Filing under this chart allows eligible applicants to begin the adjustment process earlier.
4. How do I know if my priority date is eligible to file?
Your priority date appears on your Form I-797 approval notice. If your priority date is earlier than the Date for Filing listed for your category and country, you may be eligible to file Adjustment of Status, subject to legal eligibility requirements.
5. Does filing under Dates for Filing guarantee green card approval?
No. Filing under the Dates for Filing chart allows you to submit your application, but final approval can occur only when your priority date becomes current under the Final Action Dates chart and all eligibility requirements are met.
6. Are EB-5 investors affected by the Dates for Filing chart?
EB-5 investors are also subject to the Visa Bulletin. For January 2025, EB-5 Set-Aside categories (Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure) remain current, while unreserved EB-5 categories continue to have country-specific cutoffs.
7. Why do some countries have earlier cutoff dates than others?
U.S. immigration law imposes annual numerical limits and per-country caps. High demand from countries such as India, China, Mexico, and the Philippines results in longer wait times and earlier cutoff dates.
8. Should I file immediately if my date is eligible?
Filing decisions should always be made in consultation with an experienced immigration attorney. Factors such as admissibility, maintenance of status, and long-term strategy must be evaluated before filing.
9. How often do Visa Bulletin dates change?
Visa Bulletin dates are updated monthly and may advance, remain unchanged, or retrogress depending on visa demand and statutory limits.
10. Where can I get case-specific guidance?
Because Adjustment of Status eligibility is highly fact-specific, applicants are strongly encouraged to consult directly with an immigration attorney to assess eligibility and strategy.
