The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released the Visa Bulletin for May 2025, outlining critical filing dates for foreign nationals seeking to adjust their status to permanent residency under family-sponsored or employment-based preference categories. Here’s what applicants need to know to file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, in compliance with the latest guidelines.
Key Dates for Family-Sponsored Categories
For family-sponsored applicants, the Dates for Filing chart determines eligibility. Notable dates include:
- F2A (Spouses/Children of LPRs): Current (“C”) for all countries.
- F1 (Unmarried Sons/Daughters of U.S. Citizens): September 1, 2017 (except Mexico: April 6, 2006; Philippines: April 15, 2015).
- F4 (Siblings of U.S. Citizens): June 1, 2008 (India: October 6, 2006; Mexico: April 30, 2001).
Employment-Based Visa Availability
For employment-based categories, the Final Action Dates apply:
- EB-1: Current for most, except China (November 22, 2022) and India (February 15, 2022).
- EB-2: June 23, 2023 (India: January 13, 2013; China: October 20, 2020).
- EB-5 Unreserved: Current, but China (January 14, 2014) and India (May 19, 2019) face delays.
- EB-4 and Certain Religious Workers: Unauthorized (“U”) for all countries.
Priority Dates & Eligibility
Your priority date—typically when your petition (I-130 or I-140) was filed—determines eligibility. If your priority date precedes the listed date for your category and country, you may file Form I-485.
USCIS and White House Updates
Aligned with the White House’s Modernizing and Streamlining Our Legal Immigration System report, USCIS and the Department of State (DOS) now use two Visa Bulletin charts:
- Dates for Filing Applications (when to submit forms).
- Final Action Dates (when visas are issued).
USCIS monitors visa demand to minimize fluctuations, ensuring Congress-authorized quotas are met efficiently.
Next Steps
Foreign nationals and investors should:
- Confirm their priority date and category.
- Cross-reference the May 2025 Visa Bulletin.
- Consult an immigration attorney to navigate complexities, especially for backlogged countries like India, China, or Mexico.
Ahluwalia Law Offices, a Texas-based immigration firm, provides tailored guidance for adjustment of status applications. Contact us to ensure your filing aligns with USCIS, DOS, and DOL regulations.
Disclaimer: This update adheres to official USCIS, DOS, and White House guidelines as of May 2025. Visa bulletin dates are subject to change.
