The U.S. Department of State has released the July 2025 Visa Bulletin, showing limited forward movement in several employment-based Green Card categories, especially EB-3. While China, India, and most other countries will see minor progress in certain visa classes, there are no updates to the EB-5 final action dates this month.
As always, the monthly Visa Bulletin provides key information about when Green Card applicants can move forward in the immigration process—especially critical for EB-5 investors navigating country caps and imminent visa retrogression.
Final Action Dates vs. Dates for Filing
Final Action Dates for EB-5 Visa Applicants
Employment-Based Category Movement Outside EB-5
Why Timing Matters for EB-5 Investors
What This Means for EB-5 Applicants
Final Action Dates vs. Dates for Filing
The Visa Bulletin provides two important charts: the Final Action Dates and the Dates for Filing. The Final Action Dates chart indicates when Green Cards can be issued. If a petitioner’s priority date is earlier than the published date, their application can be approved.
The Dates for Filing chart, on the other hand, tells applicants when they may submit their adjustment of status paperwork, even if a Green Card is not yet available.
Each month, USCIS confirms which chart applicants must use when filing for adjustment of status. For July 2025, the agency has announced that the Final Action Dates chart will apply to all employment-based categories, including EB-5.
Final Action Dates for EB-5 Visa Applicants
There are no changes to EB-5 visa availability this month. The Final Action Dates for the unreserved category remain the same across all regions. China remains backlogged at January 22, 2014, and India continues at May 1, 2019. All other countries in the unreserved EB-5 category remain current, meaning there is no delay in Green Card issuance for eligible applicants from those regions.
Reserved EB-5 Categories: Still Current but Pressure Building
The EB-5 set-aside categories—rural, high-unemployment (urban TEAs), and infrastructure—are all current in the July bulletin for every country. These reserved visa categories were introduced by the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 to promote investment in underserved areas, and they offer key advantages such as visa set-asides and priority processing for rural projects.
But while these categories remain current now, the latest data shows signs of increasing demand, especially in high-unemployment projects. According to recent filings, the majority of Chinese and Indian investors are targeting set-aside categories to benefit from faster timelines. As a result, it is anticipated that the high-unemployment category may start to retrogress in the coming months—potentially introducing multi-year delays similar to those seen in the unreserved category.
For investors considering EB-5, the rural category still appears to offer the most reliable path to quicker processing and visa availability.
Employment-Based Category Movement Outside EB-5
July brings moderate movement across some other employment-based Green Card categories. China sees small advances across EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3, while India experiences a modest one-week gain in EB-3 only. For most other countries, the EB-3 Professional and Skilled Worker category jumps ahead by seven weeks, now sitting at an April 1, 2023 cutoff.
These changes may benefit employment-based applicants outside of the EB-5 program, but for EB-5 investors, especially those from high-demand countries, these shifts serve as a reminder of how long visa delays can stretch—and how crucial the choice of category and timing can be.
Why Timing Matters for EB-5 Investors
The EB-5 process is deeply influenced by visa availability, country-specific demand, and project category. A well-timed investment in a rural TEA project can significantly reduce waiting times and avoid retrogression entirely. Filing early—while set-aside categories remain current—is one of the most effective strategies for accelerating the EB-5 journey.
With over 70% of new I-526E filings coming from China and India, and many of those targeting high-unemployment projects, visa usage in this set-aside category is growing rapidly. Retrogression in this category is no longer a distant possibility—it’s likely on the horizon. Investors hoping to secure faster approval should take action while current status lasts.
What This Means for EB-5 Applicants
The July 2025 Visa Bulletin offers a moment of clarity: EB-5 visa availability is stable for now. But growing demand, particularly from large investor markets like China and India, is already creating pressure in key set-aside categories. For those considering an EB-5 investment, this may be the best time to act.
With years of experience and a track record of transparency, EB5AN offers carefully vetted EB-5 projects that meet USCIS standards and appeal to investors seeking a reliable path to a Green Card.
To learn more about how we can help you take the next step with confidence, book a free consultation with our team today.
