The February 2025 visa bulletin has been released by the Department of State, and our team at Garvish Immigration Law Group has summarized the important changes and noteworthy items for you. 

USCIS’ determination for this month on which chart to use for determining when to file for adjustment will change for the month of February 2025 for the employment based categories Beginning in February 2025 the Final Action Dates chart should be used for all employment-based categories. Applicants in the family-sponsored preference categories will continue to use the Dates for Filing chart. 

Employment-Based Preference Categories: 

We are now four months into the 2025 fiscal year, and the Dates for Filing chart under the employment-based preference category remains static. 

The Final Action Dates chart for employment-based preference categories shows varied progress. Categories have advanced by 10 days, 1 month, and 3 months. However, the EB4 category for all countries continues to remain unchanged from the previous month. 

However, the fact that USCIS will now be accepting petitions for adjustment of status based on the Final Action Dates chart instead of the Dates for Filing chart has effectively moved the dates has effectively moved the dates for filing adjustment of status petitions back four months in the Second Preference category, three months in the Third Preference category and almost five months in the Other Worker category. 

A notable update is in the EB4 Certain Religious Workers category for all countries. Unfortunately, this category continues to be unauthorized, and adjustment of status remains unavailable for applicants whose priority dates fall within this category as per the February 2025 visa bulletin. 

Family-Sponsored Preference Categories: 

Progress in the Dates for Filing chart for family-sponsored preference categories is similar to the previous visa bulletin. Some categories demonstrate forward movement: 

  • F2B Mexico and F3 Worldwide, China, and India: These categories exhibit a 4-month advancement. 
  • F4 Philippines: Forward movement of 5 months, now from January 1, 2008, to June 1, 2008. 
  • F4 India: Displays slight progress, advancing by 21 days.

The Final Action Dates chart for family-sponsored preference categories reveals progress ranging from 10 days to 3 months across most categories. For a detailed summary of changes under the Family-Sponsored Final Action Dates Chart, click here. 

Whether you’re preparing to apply for an immigrant visa at a U.S. Consulate abroad or seeking adjustment of status to permanent residence within the United States, staying informed about these updates is crucial. Don’t let these changes affect your immigration plans. Schedule a consultation with one of our immigration attorneys today to begin your journey.

About the Author

Raquiyah Dunger
Associate Attorney at Garvish Immigration Law Group | (800) 951-4980 | rdunger@goimmigrationlaw.com | Profile | + posts

Raquiyah (Kya) Dunger is an Associate Attorney at Garvish Immigration Law Group, LLC in Atlanta, Georgia. Kya’s passion for the law arose from seeing her family’s interaction with the law. Kya’s first introduction to law was working at a personal injury law firm in Atlanta, Georgia. It was there that Kya found her passion for helping others. However, it was love that led Kya to immigration law; going through the immigration process with her husband showed her that she was not limited in the ways that she could help others in the legal field. Kya now focuses her work on employment-based immigration and nonimmigration petitions, as well as family-based immigration petitions.