For thousands of Indian professionals stuck in America’s long green card queue, this month’s U.S. Visa Bulletin isn’t a miracle, but it’s not silent either. Released by the U.S. Department of State and confirmed by USCIS for processing, the August 2025 bulletin makes a quiet but meaningful shift. There’s one noticeable forward step, some stubborn standstills, and a looming cloud on the horizon. If you’re waiting on a green card, this is your signal to pause and pay attention. 

EB-3 India Moves Forward by One Month

Let’s start with the good news.

The EB-3 category, covering skilled workers and professionals, has inched forward by one month. The final action date now stands at May 22, 2013, up from April 22. A month’s movement may seem small, but for those who filed over ten years ago, it could be the long-awaited push toward approval. 

EB-1 and EB-2 India Remain Unchanged 

Sadly, the EB-1 (for top-tier talent) and EB-2 (for highly educated professionals) remain exactly where they’ve been for months:

• EB-1 India: Still stuck at February 15, 2022
• EB-2 India: Frozen at January 1, 2013

These categories have become traffic jams. There’s no acceleration, no exit ramp, just a prolonged wait with no clear ETA in sight. 

EB-5 India Shows Strong Progress 

If you’re part of the EB-5 investor crowd, there’s a bigger reason to smile. The unreserved EB-5 category for India jumped forward by over six months, now pegged at November 15, 2019. That’s a considerable leap compared to the crawl of other categories. 

Even better: the EB-5 set-aside categories, meant for rural and high-unemployment zone investments, remain current. That means no backlog, no delay. File today and move forward without delay, while the window is still open. 

EB-2 and EB-3 Categories Near Annual Limits 

Alongside these updates is a warning that shouldn’t be ignored. The EB-2 and EB-3 categories are nearing their annual limits. If demand continues rising, the government may pause further approvals or even roll the dates backward, a process called retrogression. This could hit as early as September 2025, disrupting timelines for many who are almost at the finish line.

Final Action Dates for India – August 2025

Your petition’s original filing date must fall before the listed cutoff in order for you to apply. 

Next Steps for EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, and EB-5 Applicants 

• If your EB-3 priority date falls before May 22, 2013, get ready, because you’re officially in the green zone and can proceed with your green card application. 
• If you’re considering EB-5, this is an ideal window to act, especially under the set-aside categories, where the path is still clear. 
• But if you’re in EB-1 or EB-2, hang tight and watch closely, as September could bring retrogression, and the calm might not last long. 

August didn’t break the backlog, but it cracked open a door. For many Indians holding on to years of paperwork, even that is something. 

With visa progress in categories like EB-3 and EB-5, many applicants are gearing up for travel and preparing to take the next steps in their immigration journey. To plan ahead, you can search flights from USA to India and explore the latest options. Indian Eagle offers competitive fares and has become a go-to platform for those flying to India.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What are the Final Action Dates for Indian applicants in August 2025?

In August 2025, the Final Action Dates for Indian applicants are: EB-1 at February 15, 2022; EB-2 at January 1, 2013; EB-3 at May 22, 2013; EB-5 Unreserved at November 15, 2019; and EB-5 Set-Aside categories remain Current with no backlog. If your priority date is earlier than these, your green card is eligible for processing.

What changed for Indian EB-3 applicants in August 2025?

The EB-3 India Final Action Date moved forward by one month to May 22, 2013. This gives long-waiting skilled workers and professionals a narrow window to move ahead in the green card process.

Is there any movement in EB-2 and EB-1 categories for India?

There is no movement in EB-2 and EB-1 for India; EB-2 remains on January 1, 2013, and EB-1 is still on February 15, 2022.

What’s the update for EB-5 investor visa applicants from India?

The EB-5 Unreserved category for India advanced by over six months, now at November 15, 2019. Meanwhile, EB-5 Set-Aside categories (for rural, high-unemployment, and infrastructure areas) remain Current, allowing investors to apply without delay.

What is retrogression, and how could it affect Indian applicants?

Retrogression occurs when visa availability is rolled back due to high demand. For Indian applicants in EB-2 and EB-3, it could start as early as September 2025, causing delays even for those nearing approval.

What is a priority date, and how do I find mine?

A priority date is the day your employer or sponsor filed your immigrant petition (such as I-140 or I-526). It determines your place in the green card queue. You can find it on your I-797 receipt notice. 

How often does the Visa Bulletin change?

The US Visa Bulletin is updated monthly by the Department of State. USCIS then confirms which chart (Final Action or Filing Date) will be used for green card processing.

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