What is the Visa Bulletin?
The Visa Bulletin is a monthly publication issued by the U.S. Department of State. It provides updates on the availability of green card numbers (immigrant visa numbers) in both the family-sponsored and employment-based categories. Because U.S. immigration law sets annual numerical limits, not everyone who applies can get a green card immediately. Instead, applicants are placed in line based on their priority date.
Each month, the Visa Bulletin tells you whether your priority date is eligible for:
- Final Action Dates: When a green card can actually be approved.
- Dates for Filing: When you can file your Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) or submit documents to the National Visa Centre (NVC).
USCIS announces on its website which chart (Final Action Dates or Dates for Filing) applicants should use for Adjustment of Status. For October 2025 Visa Bulletin, USCIS has designated the Dates for Filing chart for family-sponsored green card applicants. This means you should check your priority date against the “Dates for Filing” chart to know if you are eligible to file your Adjustment of Status (AOS).
October 2025 Visa Bulletin — Family-Sponsored Categories
Here’s the breakdown of family-sponsored green card categories in the October 2025 Visa Bulletin.
F1: Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- Dates for Filing:
- September 1, 2017 – Most countries
- October 8, 2006- Mexico
- April 22, 2015- Philippines
Example: If your I-130 was filed on August 27, 2017, and you are from India, your priority date is before the cutoff of September 1, 2017. That means you can file your green card application (Adjustment of Status) now.
F2A: Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents/Green Card Holders
- Dates for Filing:
- September 22, 2025 (all countries)
Example: If your spouse filed Form I-130 for you on September 1, 2025. Since the F2A filing date is September 22, 2025, for all countries, your priority date is already current. You can go ahead and file your Adjustment of Status right away. This is why F2A is considered the fastest category right now.
F2B: Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 or older) of Permanent Residents/Green Card Holders
- Dates for Filing:
- January 1, 2017 – most countries
- December 15, 2008 – Mexico
- October 1, 2013 – Philippines
Example: If your I-130 was filed on February 10, 2017, and you’re from Nepal. The F2B cutoff is January 1, 2017, for most countries. Because your date is after the cutoff, you cannot file yet. You’ll have to wait until your priority date becomes earlier than the chart date.
F3: Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- Dates for Filing:
- July 22, 2012 – Most countries
- June 15, 2001 – Mexico
- August 1, 2005 – Philippines
Example: If your petition was filed on July 1, 2012, and you’re from India. The F3 filing date is July 22, 2012, for most countries, including India. Since your priority date is before July 22, 2012, you can now move forward and file for an Adjustment of Status.
F4: Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- Dates for Filing:
- March 1, 2009 – Most countries
- December 15, 2006 – India
- April 30, 2001 – Mexico
- January 1, 2008 – Philippines
Example: If your U.S. citizen brother filed for you on June 5, 2009, and you’re from Bangladesh. The F4 filing date is March 1, 2009, for most countries. Because your priority date is after March 1, 2009, it’s not current yet. You’ll need to keep checking future visa bulletins.
Why “Dates for Filing” Matter
If USCIS says use Dates for Filing (as they did for family-sponsored in October 2025), applicants whose priority date is earlier than the Dates for Filing cutoff can file Form I-485 (Adjustment Of Status/ green card application) now, provided they are otherwise eligible. Filing early can give you important benefits while you wait for Final Action Dates to become current:
- Work permit (EAD)
- Advance parole (travel document)
- Ability to remain in the U.S. while your AOS is pending (rather than relying on non-immigrant status)
Always confirm on USCIS whether they are using Dates for Filing the month you plan to file.
Final Thoughts
The October 2025 Visa Bulletin shows steady movement in family-sponsored categories. The F2A category remains the fastest, allowing spouses and children of green card holders to file almost immediately. Other categories like F3 and F4 remain heavily backlogged, with wait times spanning more than a decade.
If you are waiting for your green card application to move forward, always:
- Check the Visa Bulletin every month.
- Confirm on the USCIS website which chart you should use (Final Action or Dates for Filing).
- Compare your priority date to the cutoff date listed.
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