The December 2025 US Visa Bulletin delivers a notably positive shift for Indian employment-based green card applicants, marking one of the most encouraging updates in recent months. Although family-based categories remain largely stagnant, the overall bulletin offers renewed momentum—especially for skilled Indian professionals who have waited years for movement in priority dates.
The most significant progress is seen across nearly all employment-based lines for India. EB-1 advances by one month to 15 March 2022, signalling continued stability in the highest-skilled category. EB-2, one of the most backlogged categories for Indians, moves forward by one month and 14 days to 15 May 2013, while EB-3 progresses by one month to 22 September 2013. Both categories inch long-term applicants closer to final immigration processing after years of minimal movement. EB-4 also sees an advance to 1 September 2020, and the previously unavailable Religious Workers category is restored this month. EB-5 applicants benefit the most, with a substantial five-month jump to 1 July 2021, offering a meaningful boost to investor-based applicants navigating lengthy queues.
These advancements collectively allow many Indian applicants to finally resume forward movement on their green card journey, unlocking the possibility of filing or completing adjustment-of-status applications that had been stalled for months or even years.
On the family-based side, however, circumstances remain almost completely unchanged. Final Action Dates for categories including F1, F2A, F2B, F3, and F4 show no forward progress. The only minor shift comes in F2A, where applicants may submit their documents one month earlier, from 22 November 2025. Despite this small adjustment, long delays continue to define most family-sponsored pathways.
USCIS has confirmed it will continue using the Dates for Filing chart for both employment-based and family-based applicants. This means individuals whose priority dates fall before the Dates for Filing cut-offs can still submit adjustment-of-status applications early, gaining access to benefits such as work permits and advance parole while they await final green card availability.
Overall, the December 2025 Visa Bulletin represents a rare month of clear forward progress for Indian employment-based applicants across EB-1 through EB-5 categories, providing long-awaited encouragement for skilled workers. In contrast, family-based applicants must continue navigating persistent backlogs with little relief in sight.
