The U.S. Department of State releases a monthly Visa Bulletin to inform applicants about the availability of immigrant visas. For April 2025, here’s a simplified breakdown of what you need to know, whether you’re applying for a family-sponsored, employment-based, or diversity visa.
What is the Visa Bulletin?
The Visa Bulletin lists priority dates (the date your immigration petition was filed) to determine when applicants can either:
- Submit documents (Dates for Filing).
- Complete their visa process (Final Action Dates).
If your priority date is earlier than the date listed for your category and country, you can take the next step in your application.
Key Highlights for April 2025
- EB-4 Visas Unavailable: All visas in the Employment-Based 4th Preference (EB-4) category, including religious workers, are exhausted for FY2025. Applications will resume in October 2025.
- EB-5 Retrogression: Final Action Dates for EB-5 (investor visas) unreserved categories have moved backward for applicants from China (22JAN14) and India (01NOV19) due to high demand.
- Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery: FY2025 has approximately 52,000 visas. Regional cut-off numbers are listed for April (e.g., Africa: 30,000; Asia: 6,000).
Family-Sponsored Visas
Below are the Final Action Dates (when visas are issued) for April:
| Category | All Countries* | Mexico | Philippines |
| F1 (Adult Children of U.S. Citizens) | 15 MARCH 2016 | 01 JAN 2005 | 15 JUL 2012 |
| F2A (Spouses/Children of Green Card Holders) | 01 JAN 2022 | 15 MAY 2021 | 01 JAN 2022 |
| F3 (Married Children of U.S. Citizens) | 01 APR 2011 | 15 JAN 2001 | 22 MARCH 2003 |
*For most countries. China, India, and others follow the “All Countries” dates unless specified.
Example: If you’re a Mexican applicant under F2A with a priority date before May 15, 2021, you can proceed.
Employment-Based Visas
Key Final Action Dates for April:
| Category | All Countries* | China | India |
| EB-1 (Priority Workers) | Current | 08 NOV 2022 | 15 FEB 2022 |
| EB-2 (Advanced Degrees) | 22 JUNE 2023 | 01 OCT 2020 | 01 JAN 2013 |
| EB-3 (Skilled Workers) | 01 JAN 2023 | 01 NOV 2020 | 01 APR 2013 |
*“Current” means no backlog – applications can proceed immediately.
Note: EB-5 “Set-Aside” visas (rural, high unemployment, infrastructure projects) remain current for all countries.
Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery
For DV-2025 applicants:
- Check if your lottery rank number is below the regional cut-off (e.g., Africa: 30,000; Asia: 6,000).
- Applicants from Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Iran, Nepal, Russia, and Uzbekistan have lower cut-offs.
- Act quickly! All DV-2025 applications must be finalized by September 30, 2025.
What Should You Do Next?
- Check your priority date against the April charts.
- Submit documents if your date is earlier than the “Dates for Filing.”
- Consult an attorney if your category is oversubscribed or retrogressed.
Need Help?
Navigating visa backlogs and retrogression can be complex. At Ahluwalia Law Offices, we guide you through every step of the immigration process. Contact us for personalized assistance!
Source: U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin for April 2025 (Released March 10, 2025).
