The U.S. Department of State has released the August 2025 Visa Bulletin, bringing welcome news for EB-5 investors—particularly those from China and India. While most employment-based visa categories saw some movement this month, the EB-5 unreserved category experienced some of the largest advancements of the year. China’s final action date moved forward by nearly two years, and India’s by more than six months.
These forward movements mark a rare moment of progress for EB-5 investors in the unreserved visa queue. Meanwhile, reserved visa categories remain current for all countries, continuing to provide the fastest path to a U.S. Green Card.
Employment-Based Category Updates
USCIS Filing Guidance for August
Work With EB5AN for Top-Quality EB-5 Support
Employment-Based Category Updates
The August visa bulletin reflects a mixed picture across the five employment-based categories.
EB-2 worldwide retrogressed, with the final action date shifting back to September 1, 2023. The State Department has warned that this category may become unavailable in September if the annual visa limit is reached.
EB-3 India saw a modest advance of one month, moving to May 22, 2013, while most other EB-3 categories remained unchanged. EB-1 remains current for most countries, though China and India continue to face delays. EB-4, meanwhile, is still unavailable through the end of the fiscal year.
Despite these broader slowdowns, the EB-5 program stands out this month with notable advances in the unreserved category and continued availability in the set-aside categories.
EB-5 Final Action Date Movement
In the unreserved EB-5 visa category, China’s final action date advanced significantly this month, moving from October 1, 2013, to December 8, 2015. India also saw progress, with the final action date shifting forward from May 1, 2019, to November 15, 2019. All other countries remain current in the unreserved category.
Meanwhile, all set-aside categories—rural, high-unemployment, and infrastructure—remain current for all countries, just as they have in previous months. This continued availability reflects the still-growing pipeline of post-RIA petitions. Rural EB-5 projects, in particular, continue to offer the fastest processing and most reliable timeline under current USCIS trends. Investors in these categories benefit not only from visa availability but also from priority processing and reduced risk of future delay.
Dates for Filing
The EB-5 Dates for Filing chart remains unchanged from the previous month. For the unreserved category, China’s date for filing remains at January 1, 2017, and India’s is still at December 1, 2020. For all other countries and all set-aside categories, the dates for filing remain current.
While the Final Action Dates chart determines when a visa can actually be issued, the Dates for Filing chart sets the window for submitting Green Card applications. These dates give applicants an earlier start in gathering documentation and preparing their cases, even if a visa is not yet immediately available.
USCIS Filing Guidance for August
USCIS has confirmed that it will continue to use the Final Action Dates chart for all employment-based filings in August 2025. This means EB-5 investors can only submit their applications if their priority date is earlier than the final action date listed for their category and country of chargeability.
For EB-5 investors, this month’s movement—especially for China and India—is a meaningful step forward for those caught in long visa queues in the unreserved categories.
The State Department explained that China and India’s advancements in the unreserved EB-5 category this month were due to lower-than-expected visa usage in recent months. Back in April 2025, the agency had retrogressed both countries’ final action dates in response to high demand, but actual immigrant visa issuance fell short of projections. As a result, the agency moved the dates forward for August. That said, if the annual visa cap for the EB-5 unreserved category is reached, the State Department may designate the category as “unavailable” for the remainder of the fiscal year.
Work With EB5AN for Top-Quality EB-5 Support
Keeping up with the monthly Visa Bulletin is one of the most effective ways for EB-5 investors to stay informed about the availability of Green Cards across different categories. Following these updates helps investors stay ahead of processing trends, forecast timelines, and make informed decisions about when and how to file.
Right now, EB-5 investors have a valuable opportunity to take action. All set-aside visa categories remain current, meaning eligible applicants can move forward without delay. Approval rates for I-526E petitions are at historic highs, and rural filings continue to be processed faster than any other category. For investors seeking a reliable path to U.S. permanent residency, the data clearly supports filing while this favorable window remains open.
Of course, success in the EB-5 process depends on more than just timing. Working with a reputable and experienced team can make all the difference when it comes to selecting the right project, preparing a strong petition, and navigating complex immigration rules. At EB5AN, we’re here to support investors at every step with high-quality rural projects, personalized guidance, and a proven track record of results.
For more information about the Visa Bulletin and what it means for your EB-5 application, reach out to our team today.
