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December 2025 🔹 Visa Bulletin
The U.S. Department of State has released the December 2025 Visa Bulletin, the third bulletin of fiscal year 2026.
DECEMBER 2025 Visa Bulletin – Dates
🔹Employment-Based VISA CATEGORIES
🔹Employment-Based VISA CATEGORIES
🔹Employment-Based VISA CATEGORIES
The worldwide annual limit for employment-based immigrants remains at least 140,000 visas. As of December 2025, priority workers (EB-1) remain current for most countries, while India and China face significant retrogression. 'All other countries' refers to all chargeability countries except those listed.
EB-1 Priority Workers
All Other Countries – Current
China – 22 Jan 2023
India – 15 Mar 2022
EB-1st Preference: 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required for fourth and fifth preferences.
EB-2 Advanced Degree / Exceptional Ability
All Other Countries – 01 Feb 2024
China – 01 Jun 2021
India – 15 May 2013
EB-2nd Preference: 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required by first preference.
EB-3 Professionals & Skilled Workers
All Other Countries – 15 Apr 2023
China – 01 Apr 2021
India – 22 Sep 2013
EB-3 Other Workers
All Other Countries – 01 Aug 2021
China – 08 Dec 2017
India – 22 Sep 2013
EB-3rd Preference: 28.6% of the worldwide level, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences, not more than 10,000 of which to "*Other Workers".
EB-4 Special Immigrants (including SIJS)
All Countries – 01 Sep 2020
(⚠ Non-minister religious worker program expired Sep 29, 2025; no further extension as of Nov 15, 2025.)
EB 4th Preference: 7.1% of the worldwide level.
EB-5 Investors (Unreserved)
All Other Countries – Current
India – 01 Jul 2021
China – 15 Jul 2016
EB-5 Set-Aside (Rural, High Unemployment, Infrastructure) - Current worldwide
EB-5th Preference: Employment Creation: 7.1% of the worldwide level, of which 32% are reserved as follows: 20% reserved for qualified immigrants who invest in a rural area; 10% reserved for qualified immigrants who invest in a high unemployment area; and 2% reserved for qualified immigrants who invest in infrastructure projects. The remaining 68% are unreserved and are allotted for all other qualified immigrants.
🔹Family-based CATEGORIES
🔹Employment-Based VISA CATEGORIES
🔹Employment-Based VISA CATEGORIES
The statutory family-sponsored annual limit for FY 2026 is 226,000 visas, with per-country limits applying to oversubscribed nations such as China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines. All other countries refers to all chargeability countries except those listed.
Notes for Understanding:
- Immediate relatives are not subject to annual visa limits. For purposes of immigration law, "immediate relatives" are spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens 21 or older.
- A U.S. citizen aged 21 or older can file an I-130 for a parent as an “immediate relative.”
- A lawful permanent resident cannot petition for a parent at all.
- A minor U.S. citizen (under 21) also cannot file an I-130 for a parent.
F1 (Unmarried sons & daughters of U.S. citizens)
All Other Countries – 08 Nov 2016
Mexico – 01 Mar 2006
Philippines – 22 Jan 2013
F2A (Spouses & children of permanent residents)
All Countries – 01 Feb 2024
F2B (Unmarried sons & daughters 21+ of permanent residents)
All Other Countries – 01 Dec 2016
Mexico – 15 May 2008
Philippines – 08 Oct 2012
F3 (Married sons & daughters of U.S. citizens)
All Other Countries – 08 Sep 2011
Mexico – 01 May 2001
Philippines – 01 Nov 2004
F4 (Brothers & sisters of U.S. citizens)
All Other Countries – 08 Jan 2008
India – 01 Nov 2006
Mexico – 08 Apr 2001
Philippines – 15 Jul 2006
DECEMBER 2025 Summary & Insights
KEY TAKEAWAYS - DECEMBER 2025
Strategic Insights for Clients & Employers
Strategic Insights for Clients & Employers
- USCIS Adjustment of Status Charts A and B Policy: USCIS has confirmed that the Dates for Filing Chart (Chart B) will govern Adjustment-of-Status eligibility for December 2025.
This allows certain applicants to file Form I-485 early, even if a visa number is not yet available under Chart A. [Each Visa Bulletin has two charts. Final Action Dates (Chart A) – controls when a visa number is actually available and USCIS or a consulate may approve the case and issue permanent residence. Dates for Filing (Chart B) – controls when you may file your adjustment or immigrant-visa paperwork in advance of visa availability.] - Family-Sponsored: Backlogs remain long, especially for Mexico and the Philippines
- SIJS (EB-4): Now available again. Beneficiaries with approved petitions and priority dates on or before July 1, 2020 may move forward toward adjustment of status, if otherwise eligible. This is a major development because for most of 2025 the SIJS category was closed, leaving thousands of applicants in limbo despite approved petitions. Eligible applicants finally have a path forward — but careful review of eligibility and timing remains critical. EB-4 (SIJS) remains available for December.
- Employment-Based: India and China continue to face the heaviest retrogression, although no retrogressions occurred this month across employment-based categories.
- EB India: Backlogs remain severe. EB-2 and EB-3 professionals are separated by only a few weeks, both stuck in early 2013. This means that highly skilled professionals and advanced-degree applicants face nearly identical wait times. Modest forward movement continues for EB-1 China and EB-2 India, while most other employment categories remain stable.
- EB-5 (Investors): Unreserved categories for India and China show slight advancement, while Set-Aside (Rural, High Unemployment, Infrastructure) categories remain current worldwide.
- Diversity Visa: The DV-2026 Program is active but with reduced annual limits.
- Religious Workers (SR): The non-minister portion of EB-4 expired after midnight September 29, 2025, and Congress has not extended the program as of November 15, 2025. No new non-minister filings or visa issuances are authorized until further legislative action. The minister portion of EB-4 remains permanent and unaffected.
- Action Step: Foreign nationals and employers should verify current filing eligibility under the Dates for Filing Chart and act promptly before potential retrogressions in early FY 2026.
Strategic Insights for Clients & Employers
Strategic Insights for Clients & Employers
Strategic Insights for Clients & Employers
- No retrogressions mean a brief period of stability — ideal for preparing filings under the Dates for Filing Chart. The Dates for Filing Chart (also called Chart B) is one of two key charts published each month in the U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin. It determines when someone can submit their Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) application to USCIS — even if their green card can’t yet be finalized.
- EB-1 remains the fastest path for researchers, artists, entrepreneurs, and executives with extraordinary ability or multinational credentials.
- EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) continues to offer a strong self-petition option for advanced-degree and STEM professionals.
- EB-2 and EB-3 India and China applicants should maintain valid nonimmigrant status and consider strategic reclassification to EB-1A or NIW.
- SIJS beneficiaries — after years of closure — now retain a viable adjustment path; timing is crucial.
- Religious organizations should monitor Congress closely; non-minister filings cannot proceed until reauthorized.
- Employers should review both Final Action and Dates for Filing charts before launching PERM or I-140 cases in early 2026.
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Kennedy Law is happy to keep you informed and prepared as immigration rules continue to change. Staying updated is the first step in protecting your future.
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DISCLAIMER: This website provides general information about immigration rules and eligibility. It is not legal advice, tax advice, or a substitute for individualized consultation. Immigration outcomes depend on your specific circumstances. For advice tailored to your case, schedule a consultation with Kennedy Law.
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