US Visa Bulletin September 2025: Eager for green card progress? The September 2025 US Visa Bulletin brings mixed news for immigrants worldwide, with steady holds in family categories like F1 and F2A, while employment-based EB1 and EB2 face tight limits nearing exhaustion. As the fiscal year ends, Diversity Visa hopefuls rush toward a September 30 deadline. Stay ahead by checking your priority date—key advancements could unlock your path to permanent residency this month!
What the September 2025 Visa Bulletin Means for Immigrants
The Visa Bulletin is a monthly guide from the U.S. Department of State that tracks when green cards become available. It lists cutoff dates based on your priority date—the day your petition was filed. If your date is earlier than the cutoff, you can move forward with your application. This September edition, covering the fiscal year’s close, shows little overall change but warns of high demand in job-related categories.
For family-sponsored visas, waits remain long but stable. Employment-based ones, like EB1 for top talents and EB2 for pros, risk running out soon due to yearly caps. The bulletin uses two charts: Final Action Dates (for approvals) and Dates for Filing (to start paperwork). USCIS picks which to follow—September uses Dates for Filing for families and Final Action for jobs. With over 1 million in line, timing is everything.
Why This Bulletin Feels Like a Holding Pattern
High demand from countries like India, China, Mexico, and the Philippines keeps movement slow. Unused family visas from last year spilled over to help jobs but are now tapped out. Expect fiscal year 2026 (starting October) to reset things, potentially speeding up waits.
Key Updates for Family-Sponsored Green Cards
Family visas prioritize relatives of U.S. citizens or permanent residents. September holds steady, with minor gains in some spots.
F1 Category: Unmarried Adult Children of Citizens
This group sees no big jumps. Cutoffs stay put, meaning waits of 10+ years for oversubscribed nations. It’s for single sons or daughters over 21—patience pays off, but backlogs grow.
F2A Category: Spouses and Minor Children of Permanent Residents
Good news here: Slight forward creep for most, but predictions hint at a pullback for Mexico and others due to rising applications. If current, file now—delays could hit soon. This category covers married partners and kids under 21.
Other Family Categories Snapshot
F2B (unmarried kids over 21 of residents) and F3/F4 (married kids and siblings of citizens) show tiny steps ahead, but India and Mexico lag far behind.
| Family Category | All Chargeability Areas (Except Listed) | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | 01SEP16 (No Change) | 01SEP16 | 01SEP16 | 15JUN07 | 22APR09 |
| F2A | 01JAN23 (Advanced 1 Week) | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 | 15DEC22 | 01JAN23 |
| F2B | 01MAR18 (No Change) | 01MAR18 | 15FEB10 | 15APR08 | 22FEB10 |
| F3 | 22NOV10 (Advanced 1 Week) | 22NOV10 | 01MAY02 | 15JUN01 | 08JUL03 |
| F4 | 01JAN08 (No Change) | 01JAN08 | 15FEB06 | 15SEP01 | 01FEB05 |
Notes: Dates mean your priority must be before this to act. “Current” = no wait.
Employment-Based Green Card Highlights
Job visas reward skills and employers sponsoring you. September warns: Caps in EB1, EB2, and EB3 may vanish by month’s end, halting new filings.
EB1: Priority Workers (Top Talent)
Minimal movement—stuck for India and China. This fast-track for executives, researchers, and extraordinary folks stays open but could close if demand spikes.
EB2: Advanced Degrees and Exceptional Ability
Tough for India (back to 2012) and China; rest of world holds. High demand means possible unavailability—file if eligible now.
EB3 and Other Employment Insights
EB3 (skilled workers) mirrors EB2 woes, with Other Workers even slower. EB5 (investors) advances slightly.
| Employment Category | All Chargeability Areas (Except Listed) | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB1 | Current (No Change) | 01JAN20 | 01MAR22 | Current | Current |
| EB2 | 01JAN23 (No Change) | 01JAN20 | 15FEB2012 | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 |
| EB3 | 01JAN23 (No Change) | 01JAN20 | 01MAR13 | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 |
| EB3 Other Workers | 01DEC20 (Advanced 1 Month) | 01DEC20 | 01MAR13 | 01DEC20 | 01DEC20 |
| EB5 Unreserved | Current (No Change) | 15JUN15 | 22JUN22 | Current | Current |
Alert: Once limits hit, categories go “unavailable” until October 2025.
Diversity Visa (DV) Program: Final Sprint
DV-2025 ends September 30—your last shot! All regions are current, but visas won’t issue post-deadline. Check status at DV Program site; act fast on interview notices. Next lottery (DV-2026) starts October.
USCIS Filing Rules for September 2025
- Family-Sponsored: Use Dates for Filing—file if your date matches that chart.
- Employment-Based: Stick to Final Action Dates for adjustments. Track at USCIS.gov; errors delay your green card.
Tips to Navigate the September Bulletin
- Monitor monthly—dates shift unexpectedly.
- Gather docs early: Birth certificates, police clearances.
- Consult an immigration lawyer for complex cases.
- If retrogressed (dates go backward), wait it out—progress returns.
Backlogs stem from per-country caps (7% max), fueling reform calls.
Conclusion: Seize September’s Green Card Window
The September 2025 Visa Bulletin signals a cautious close to the fiscal year, with stable family waits in F1 and F2A, strained EB1/EB2 limits, and a DV deadline dash. While oversubscribed countries endure, small gains offer hope—file promptly to avoid misses. As October resets the clock, optimism brews for faster flows. Check your dates today at Travel.State.Gov, prepare your paperwork, and keep pushing toward U.S. residency. Your American dream is closer than it seems!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is a priority date in the Visa Bulletin?
A: It’s the filing date of your initial petition (like I-130 for family or I-140 for jobs). Compare it to cutoff dates to know if you can proceed.
Q: Why are EB2 and EB3 at risk of unavailability in September 2025?
A: Yearly visa caps (about 140,000 total) are filling fast due to spillover use and high demand—once gone, no new actions until October.
Q: Can I file for adjustment of status if my date is just after the cutoff?
A: No—for Final Action, you need to be before it. Use Dates for Filing if USCIS allows, which gives a head start.
Q: What happens after September 30 for DV-2025 winners?
A: Program ends—no more visas. Unissued ones don’t carry over; enter DV-2026 lottery soon.
Q: How often does the Visa Bulletin update?
A: Monthly, mid-month for the next month. Always verify on official sites to avoid scams.
Q: Is there a way to speed up my green card wait?
A: Premium processing for some petitions ($2,805 fee) helps, or switch categories if eligible (e.g., marriage to citizen).