Immigration Lawyer Blog
Are you applying for an immigrant visa and want to know when your priority date will become current? Then you won’t want to miss our analysis of the December 2025 Visa Bulletin.
In this video, attorney Jacob Sapochnick explains what you can expect to see in terms of the movement of the family-sponsored and employment-based visa categories in the month of December.
USCIS Adjustment of Status
For adjustment of status filings to permanent residence in the month of December, USCIS will be using the Dates for Filing Chart for the employment-based and family-sponsored categories.
Highlights of the December 2025 Visa Bulletin
At a Glance
What can we expect to see in the month of December?
Employment-Based Categories
Final Action Advancements
EB-1 Aliens of extraordinary ability, Outstanding Professors and Researchers, and Certain Multinational Managers or Executives
- India will advance by one month to March 15, 2022
- China will advance by one month to January 22, 2023
- All other countries remain current
EB-2 Members of the Professions and Aliens of Exceptional Ability
- India will advance by six weeks to May 15, 2013
- China will advance by two months to June 1, 2021
- All other countries will advance by 2 months to February 1, 2024
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
- India will advance by one month to September 22, 2013
- China will advance by one month to April 1, 2021
- All other countries will advance by two weeks to April 15, 2023
EB-3 Other Workers
- India will advance by one month to September 22, 2013
- China will advance by one week to December 8, 2017
- All other countries will advance by two weeks to August 1, 2021
EB-4 Special Immigrants & Religious Workers
- All countries will advance by two months to September 1, 2020
EB-5 Unreserved Categories (C5, T5, I5, and R5)
- EB-5 India will advance by five months to July 1, 2021
- EB-5 China will advance by seven months to July 15, 2016
- All other countries will remain current
EB-5 Set-Aside Categories (Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure) will also remain current
Dates for Filing Advancements
There are no changes to the Dates for Filing chart for the employment-based categories when compared to the November Visa Bulletin, except for
- EB-5 China Unreserved will advance by three weeks to July 22, 2016
Family-Sponsored Categories
Final Action Advancements
F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- Mexico will advance by 3.3 months to March 1, 2006
F-2B Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents
- Mexico will advance by five months to May 15, 2008
- Philippines will advance by one week to October 8, 2012
F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- Philippines will advance by 1.3 months to November 1, 2004
F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- F4 Philippines will advance by 3.8 months to July 15, 2006
Dates for Filing Advancements
There are no changes to the Dates for Filing chart for the family-sponsored categories when compared to the November Visa Bulletin, except for
F-2A Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
- All countries will advance by 1 month to November 22, 2025
Now let’s dive into each chart.
Employment-Based Categories
FINAL ACTION DATES FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES
The following Final Action cutoff dates will apply for employment-based categories in the month of December.
EB-1 Aliens of extraordinary ability, Outstanding Professors and Researchers, and Certain Multinational Managers or Executives
- EB-1 India will advance by one month to March 15, 2022
- EB-1 China will advance by one month to January 22, 2023
- All other countries will remain current
EB-2 Members of the Professions and Aliens of Exceptional Ability
- EB-2 India will advance by 6 weeks to May 15, 2013
- EB-2 China will advance by 2 months to June 1, 2021
- All other countries will advance by 2 months to February 1, 2024
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
- EB-3 India will advance by one month to September 22, 2013
- EB-3 China will advance by one month to April 1, 2021
- All other countries will advance by two weeks to April 15, 2023
EB-3 Other Workers
- EB-3 India will advance by one month to September 22, 2013
- EB-3 China will advance by one week to December 8, 2017
- All other countries will advance by two weeks to August 1, 2021
EB-4 Special Immigrants & Religious Workers
- All countries will advance by two months to September 1, 2020
EB-5 Unreserved Categories (C5, T5, I5, and R5)
- EB-5 India will advance by five months to July 1, 2021
- EB-5 China will advance by seven months to July 15, 2016
- All other countries will remain current
EB-5 Set-Aside Categories (Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure) will also remain current
*The bold represents the Visa Bulletin advancements
| Employment- based |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| 1st | C | 22JAN23 | 15MAR22 | C | C |
| 2nd | 01FEB24 | 01JUN21 | 15MAY13 | 01FEB24 | 01FEB24 |
| 3rd | 15APR23 | 01APR21 | 22SEP13 | 15APR23 | 15APR23 |
| Other Workers | 01AUG21 | 08DEC17 | 22SEP13 | 01AUG21 | 01AUG21 |
| 4th | 01SEP20 | 01SEP20 | 01SEP20 | 01SEP20 | 01SEP20 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 01SEP20 | 01SEP20 | 01SEP20 | 01SEP20 | 01SEP20 |
| 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5, NU, RU) |
C | 15JUL16 | 01JUL21 | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: Rural (20%, including NR, RR) |
C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: High Unemployment (10%, including NH, RH) |
C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: Infrastructure (2%, including RI) |
C | C | C | C | C |
DATES FOR FILING FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES
The following Dates for Filing cutoff dates will apply in December (no change from the November Visa Bulletin except EB-5 Unreserved China).
EB-1 Aliens of extraordinary ability, Outstanding Professors and Researchers, and Certain Multinational Managers or Executives
- EB-1 India will remain at April 15, 2023
- EB-1 China will remain at May 15, 2023
- All other countries will remain current
EB-2 Members of the Professions and Aliens of Exceptional Ability
- EB-2 India will remain at December 1, 2013
- EB-2 China will remain at December 1, 2021
- All other countries will remain at July 15, 2024
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
- EB-3 India will remain at August 15, 2014
- EB-3 China will remain at January 1, 2022
- All other countries will remain at July 1, 2023
EB-3 Other Workers
- EB-3 India will remain at August 15, 2014
- EB-3 China will remain at October 1, 2018
- All other countries will remain at December 1, 2021
EB-4 Special Immigrants & Religious Workers
- EB-4 will remain at February 15, 2021
EB-5 Unreserved Categories (C5, T5, I5, and R5)
- EB-5 India will remain at April 1, 2022
- EB-5 China will advance by three weeks to July 22, 2016
- All other countries will remain current
EB-5 Set-Aside Categories (Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure) will also remain current
*No changes from the November Visa Bulletin except EB-5 Unreserved China
| Employment- based |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| 1st | C | 15MAY23 | 15APR23 | C | C |
| 2nd | 15JUL24 | 01DEC21 | 01DEC13 | 15JUL24 | 15JUL24 |
| 3rd | 01JUL23 | 01JAN22 | 15AUG14 | 01JUL23 | 01JUL23 |
| Other Workers | 01DEC21 | 01OCT18 | 15AUG14 | 01DEC21 | 01DEC21 |
| 4th | 15FEB21 | 15FEB21 | 15FEB21 | 15FEB21 | 15FEB21 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 15FEB21 | 15FEB21 | 15FEB21 | 15FEB21 | 15FEB21 |
| 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5) |
C | 22JUL16 | 01APR22 | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: (Rural: NR, RR – 20%) |
C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: (High Unemployment: NH, RH – 10%) |
C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: (Infrastructure: RI – 2%) |
C | C | C | C | C |
FINAL ACTION DATES FOR FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASES
According to the Department of State’s December 2025 Visa Bulletin, the following Final Action cutoff dates will apply for family-sponsored categories in the month of December.
F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F1 Mexico will advance by 3.3 months to March 1, 2006
- F1 Philippines will remain at January 22, 2013
- F1 All other countries will remain at November 8, 2016
F-2A Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
- F2A Mexico will remain at February 1, 2023
- F2A All other countries will remain at February 1, 2024
F-2B Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents
- F2B Mexico will advance by five months to May 15, 2008
- F2B Philippines will advance by one week to October 8, 2012
- F2B All other countries will remain at December 1, 2016
F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F3 Mexico will remain at May 1, 2001
- F3 Philippines will advance by 1.3 months to November 1, 2004
- F3 All other countries will remain at September 8, 2011
F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- F4 Mexico will remain at April 8, 2001
- F4 Philippines will advance by 3.8 months to July 15, 2006
- F4 India will remain at November 1, 2006
- F4 All other countries will remain at January 8, 2008
*The bold represents the Visa Bulletin advancements
| Family- Sponsored |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA-mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 08NOV16 | 08NOV16 | 08NOV16 | 01MAR06 | 22JAN13 |
| F2A | 01FEB24 | 01FEB24 | 01FEB24 | 01FEB23 | 01FEB24 |
| F2B | 01DEC16 | 01DEC16 | 01DEC16 | 15MAY08 | 08OCT12 |
| F3 | 08SEP11 | 08SEP11 | 08SEP11 | 01MAY01 | 01NOV04 |
| F4 | 08JAN08 | 08JAN08 | 01NOV06 | 08APR01 | 15JUL06 |
DATES FOR FILING FOR FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASES
According to the Department of State’s December 2025 Visa Bulletin, the following Dates for Filing cutoff dates will apply.
F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F1 Mexico will remain at March 1, 2007
- F1 Philippines will remain at April 22, 2015
- All other countries will remain at September 1, 2017
F-2A Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
- All countries will advance by 1 month to November 22, 2025
F-2B Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents
- F2B Mexico will remain at May 15, 2009
- F2B Philippines will remain at October 1, 2013
- F2B All other countries will remain at March 8, 2017
F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F3 Mexico will remain at July 1, 2001
- F3 Philippines will remain at November 1, 2005
- F3 All other countries will remain at July 22, 2012
F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- F4 Mexico will remain at April 30, 2001
- F4 Philippines will remain at January 1, 2008
- F4 India will remain at December 15, 2006
- All other countries will remain at March 1, 2009
*No changes from the November Visa Bulletin except F2A
| Family- Sponsored |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 01MAR07 | 22APR15 |
| F2A | 22NOV25 | 22NOV25 | 22NOV25 | 22NOV25 | 22NOV25 |
| F2B | 08MAR17 | 08MAR17 | 08MAR17 | 15MAY09 | 01OCT13 |
| F3 | 22JUL12 | 22JUL12 | 22JUL12 | 01JUL01 | 01NOV05 |
| F4 | 01MAR09 | 01MAR09 | 15DEC06 | 30APR01 | 01JAN08 |
Conclusion
The December Visa Bulletin brings modest advancements of one to two months for most employment-based Final Action Dates. The biggest winners are EB-5 India Unreserved which will advance by 5 months to July 1, 2021, and EB-5 China Unreserved which will advance by 7 months to July 15, 2016. EB-2 Worldwide, Mexico, and the Philippines will move forward 2 months to February 1, 2024, while EB-1 remains current except for India and China.
There were no changes in the Dates for Filing chart except for EB-5 China Unreserved which will advance by three weeks to July 22, 2016.
In the family-sponsored categories there were modest advancements in some categories of 3 to 5 months, with the biggest winner being F-2B Mexico advancing 5 months to May 15, 2008.
There were no changes to the Dates for Filing chart, except F2A all countries will advance 1 month to November 22, 2025.
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