The October 2025 Visa Bulletin marks the start of the new fiscal year and introduces moderate to significant forward movement across several employment- and family-based immigrant categories. According to the U.S. Department of State (DOS) and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), both family-based and employment-based applicants will be required to use the Dates for Filing Chart to determine their eligibility to submit adjustment of status applications this month.
For many foreign nationals, this update provides a limited window of opportunity to file Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) sooner than expected. Below is a breakdown of who should take advantage and file now.
Employment-Based Categories: USCIS Accepting “Dates for Filing”
EB-1: Priority Workers
- India: Advanced by one year to April 15, 2023.
➤ Indian EB-1 applicants with priority dates before this cutoff should file immediately. - China: Advanced over four months to May 15, 2023.
➤ Chinese EB-1 applicants with priority dates before this date can file now. - All other countries: Remain current, meaning applicants are eligible to file immediately.
Action:
Professionals in managerial or extraordinary ability categories—particularly Indian nationals—should act promptly while the filing window is open.
EB-2: Advanced Degree and Exceptional Ability
- India: Filing date advanced 10 months to December 1, 2013.
- China: Filing date advanced 11 months to December 1, 2021.
- Worldwide, Mexico, and the Philippines: Filing date moved forward 8 months to July 15, 2024.
Action:
Employers and applicants with pending EB-2 labor certifications or approved I-140 petitions should file adjustment applications immediately if their priority date falls before these cutoffs.
EB-3: Skilled Workers and Professionals
- India: Advanced over a year and two months to August 15, 2014.
- China: Advanced over one year to January 1, 2022.
- Worldwide, Mexico, and the Philippines: Advanced two months to July 1, 2023.
Action:
EB-3 professionals and skilled workers from India and China have a valuable opportunity to advance their filings this month, especially those seeking to “downgrade” from EB-2 to EB-3 for faster processing.
EB-5: Investors (Unreserved)
- India: The category remains current, reflecting strong forward momentum.
- China: Experienced a three-month retrogression to July 1, 2016.
Action:
EB-5 Indian investors should file now to lock in current availability. Chinese applicants, however, should monitor upcoming visa bulletins for updates before filing.
EB-4: Religious Workers and Other Special Immigrants
The Special Immigrant Religious Worker (SR) program expired on September 30, 2025, and is currently unavailable. Should Congress extend the category, availability will resume immediately, aligning with other EB-4 cutoffs.
Family-Based Categories: Key Filing Opportunities
USCIS will also accept family-based filings based on the Dates for Filing Chart in October 2025.
F2A: Spouses and Children of Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs)
- Advanced over three months to September 22, 2025 across all countries.
➤ LPRs can file I-130 and I-485 concurrently, taking advantage of this substantial forward movement.
F1, F2B, F3, F4: Limited Advances
- Mexico (F2B): Advanced eight months to December 15, 2008.
- India and Worldwide (F4): Small advances of two weeks to two months.
Action:
F2A petitions represent the most favorable family-based category this month. Petitioners with eligible dependents should initiate filings immediately.
Who Should File Now
| Category | Country | Cutoff (Dates for Filing – Oct 2025) | Filing Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | India | Apr 15, 2023 | File now |
| EB-1 | China | May 15, 2023 | File now |
| EB-2 | India | Dec 1, 2013 | File now |
| EB-2 | China | Dec 1, 2021 | File now |
| EB-2 | All Others | Jul 15, 2024 | File now |
| EB-3 | India | Aug 15, 2014 | File now |
| EB-3 | China | Jan 1, 2022 | File now |
| EB-3 | All Others | Jul 1, 2023 | File now |
| EB-5 | India | Current | File now |
| F2A | All | Sep 22, 2025 | File now |
Conclusion
The October 2025 Visa Bulletin provides long-awaited forward movement, especially for EB-1 India, EB-2 and EB-3 applicants, and F2A family categories. Applicants whose priority dates fall before the Dates for Filing cutoffs should file adjustment of status applications immediately to take advantage of current visa availability.
If you are unsure about your eligibility or your priority date, consult with an immigration attorney before filing. Ahluwalia Law Offices can evaluate your case, confirm eligibility, and help you file on time to protect your immigration benefits.
