US Visa Bulletin: India Advances in EB-3 Category, Others Remain Stagnant

The US State Department has released the August 2025 Visa Bulletin, which shows Indian nationals advancing by a month in the EB-3 category to May 22, 2013. There is no movement in the EB-1 and EB-2 categories, while the EB-5 Unreserved category for India has advanced by more than six months. The State Department warns that the EB-2 and EB-3 categories may reach their annual visa limits, leading to potential retrogression or unavailability in September.

The US State Department has released the August 2025 Visa Bulletin, which brings notable advancements for Indian nationals. The EB-3 category for India has moved forward by a month to May 22, 2013 [1]. There is no change in the EB-1 and EB-2 categories, while the EB-5 Unreserved category for India has advanced by more than six months [1].

The State Department has issued a warning that the EB-2 and EB-3 categories may reach their annual visa limits in September. This could potentially lead to retrogression or unavailability, meaning that the visa cutoff dates may move backward or become unavailable [1]. USCIS will continue to honor the Final Action Dates for employment-based adjustment of status applications in September, but foreign nationals must have a priority date earlier than the listed cutoff dates to be eligible [1].

The State Department anticipates that immigrant visa availability for the remainder of the fiscal year 2025 will be affected by the steady increase in employment-based visa usage. The annual numerical limits for most employment-based preference categories are expected to be reached during August and September, with availability resuming in October when the new fiscal year starts [1].

The Dignity Act of 2025, introduced in the US House of Representatives, proposes several reforms to address the legal immigration visa backlog. The bill aims to clear the backlog by 2035 and includes provisions such as allowing green card applicants waiting over 10 years to pay $20,000 for premium processing, raising per-country limits for employment-based and family-sponsored green cards, and offering permanent residency to documented dreamers [2].

The US Chamber of Commerce supports the Dignity Act as a constructive step towards addressing the legal immigration system and workforce needs for businesses [2].

References:
[1] https://www.fragomen.com/insights/united-states-september-2025-visa-bulletin-no-changes-to-employment-based-eb-cut-off-dates-uscis-to-honor-final-action-dates-for-eb-categories-state-department-warns-eb-categories-close-to-annual.html
[2] https://www.business-standard.com/immigration/pay-rs-17-lakh-skip-10-year-wait-us-bill-proposes-green-card-fast-track-125081100966_1.html