The US Visa Bulletin for May 2025 shows major retrogression in the EB-5 visa category for Indian applicants due to high demand. Learn what this means for your green card process.
The U.S. Department of State has released the Visa Bulletin for May 2025, outlining key updates regarding immigrant visa availability. Notably, the EB-5 visa category for Indian nationals has experienced significant retrogression due to high demand.
Understanding the Monthly Visa Bulletin
Each month, the Department of State publishes a Visa Bulletin that includes two critical dates:
- Final Action Dates: Determines when visas may be issued or green card applications approved.
- Dates for Filing Applications: Informs applicants when they can begin submitting documents to the National Visa Center.
This bulletin is essential for immigrants looking to adjust their status or apply for lawful permanent residency in the United States.
EB-5 Retrogression: What Indian Applicants Need to Know
Due to heavy demand from Indian nationals in the EB-5 unreserved visa category, coupled with increased applications from other countries, the final action date for India has been retrogressed further. This step was necessary to ensure that the number of visas issued remains within the fiscal year 2025 limits.
Officials also hinted that if demand continues to rise globally, a final action date may be set for Rest of World applicants as well.
Visa Quotas and Country Limits
To manage immigration levels, Congress caps the number of visas issued annually:
- Family-sponsored preference limit: 226,000 visas
- Employment-based preference limit: At least 140,000 visas
- Per-country cap: 7% of the total, or 25,620 visas
- Dependent area cap: 2%, or 7,320 visas
These strict quotas often result in backlogs and cut-off date fluctuations, especially for countries with high demand, like India.
Why Do Visa Dates Retrogress?
Visa retrogression occurs when the number of applicants in a specific category or from a certain country exceeds the number of available visas for that month. While cut-off dates typically advance each month, they can slow down, stop, or even move backward (retrogress) when demand surges.
Retrogressions are more common toward the end of the fiscal year (which ends on September 30) as visa allocations near their annual limits. When the new fiscal year begins on October 1, a new batch of visas is released—often pushing dates forward again, but not always.
Final Thoughts
For applicants from India awaiting EB-5 processing, this retrogression means longer wait times and delays in green card approval. It’s crucial to monitor the Visa Bulletin each month to stay updated on shifting dates and plan accordingly.
As demand continues to fluctuate and global interest in U.S. immigration remains strong, further changes could be on the horizon. Stay connected with DOD News for real-time updates and analysis on U.S. immigration visa policies and visa trends.
