The U.S. State Department has released its December 2025 Visa Bulletin, bringing encouraging progress for thousands of immigrants seeking lawful permanent residency. Several family-based and employment-based categories have advanced, allowing more applicants to file their paperwork or move closer to green card approval.
Why This Update Matters
The monthly visa bulletin is a critical resource for green card applicants. It tells you:
- When you can file your adjustment of status or immigrant visa application
- When your application can be approved
- How long you may need to wait, based on worldwide and per-country visa limits
Even a small shift in dates can significantly reduce wait times for families, skilled workers, and professionals working toward permanent residency.
How to Read the Bulletin
Each bulletin includes two charts:
1. Final Action Dates (FAD)
The date when a visa is actually available for issuance. If your priority date is earlier, your green card can be approved.
2. Dates for Filing (DOF)
When you’re allowed to submit your application. If your priority date falls before this date, you can file your paperwork even if a visa isn’t yet available.
For December 2025, the bulletin shows steady forward movement with no retrogression.
Family-Sponsored Highlights
Final Action Dates (FAD):
- F1 – Mexico: +3 months, 7 days
- F2B – Mexico: +5 months
- F2B – Philippines: +7 days
- F3 – Philippines: +40 days
- F4 – Philippines: +3 months, 23 days
Other family categories remain unchanged.
Dates for Filing (DOF) – F2A (Spouses & Children of Permanent Residents):All regions moved +1 month to 22 November 2025.
Employment-Based Highlights
EB-1 (Priority Workers):
- China: +1 month
- India: +1 month
EB-2 (Advanced Degree Professionals & Exceptional Ability):
- All other countries: +2 months
- China: +2 months
- India: +44 days
EB-3 (Skilled & Professional Workers):
- Most regions: +14 days
- China: +1 month
- India: +1 month
EB-4 (Special Immigrants):
- All regions advanced +62 days
EB-5 (Investors – Unreserved):
- China: +7 months, 7 days
- India: +5 months
Dates for Filing remain mostly unchanged, with the exception of EB-5 China (+21 days).
What USCIS Wants Applicants to Know
USCIS reminds applicants:
“A visa must be available before you can take one of the final steps in the process of becoming a lawful permanent resident… How long you wait depends on your priority date, preference category, and your country.”
Oversubscribed countries face cutoff dates to keep visa numbers within annual limits.
What Happens Next?
The next bulletin—expected in January 2026—will show whether these positive shifts continue. Meanwhile, applicants are advised to:
- Prepare documentation early
- Closely monitor monthly updates
- Double-check all forms for accuracy
- File as soon as their priority date becomes current
Your Next Step
If your priority date is getting close—or has already become current—now is the perfect time to prepare your green card application.
Take the next step confidently, stay prepared, and move closer to achieving lawful permanent residency.