What Does the June Visa Bulletin Mean for EB-5 Investors?

Jun 3

June 2025 EB5 Visa Bulletin Final Action Dates chart showing unreserved and reserved visa availability for China, India, and all countries, including rural, high-unemployment, and infrastructure set-aside categories.

Each month, the U.S. Department of State publishes the Visa Bulletin, a document that helps immigrant visa applicants understand when they can move forward in their Green Card process. For EB-5 investors, especially those from high-demand countries like India and China, keeping a close eye on this bulletin is critical—it determines when applicants can either schedule a visa interview or file for adjustment of status in the U.S.

The Visa Bulletin is divided into two key charts: Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing. The Final Action Dates chart shows when Green Cards can be issued. The Dates for Filing chart, used at the discretion of USCIS, indicates when applicants can submit their final paperwork, even if their Green Card isn’t available yet. In June 2025, USCIS has confirmed it will follow the Final Action Dates chart for employment-based categories.

For EB-5 investors, understanding these dates is more than just checking a box. These charts reveal where backlogs exist, how long investors might need to wait, and which categories are currently moving forward. Reading the bulletin correctly can help investors make informed decisions—and sometimes act quickly—to secure a better outcome.

Key Changes in the June 2025 Visa Bulletin

Here’s a quick summary of how the June Visa Bulletin compares to last month’s across the employment-based (EB) visa categories:

EB-1

No movement. India remains at February 15, 2022, and China at November 8, 2022. All other countries are current.

EB-2

India: No change, remaining at January 1, 2013.
China: Advances by two months to December 1, 2020.
All Other Countries: Advance by almost four months to October 15, 2023.

EB-3

India: No change, remaining at April 15, 2013.
China: Advances by three weeks to November 22, 2020.
All Other Countries: Advance by five weeks to February 8, 2023.

EB-4

Unavailable for all countries.

What June’s Bulletin Means for EB-5 Investors

The EB-5 category is split into two tracks: unreserved visas and reserved visas (often referred to as “set-aside” categories). These set-aside categories were introduced by the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 to prioritize investments in certain areas: rural regions, urban high-unemployment areas, and infrastructure projects.

Here’s how each EB-5 category looks in the June 2025 bulletin:

Unreserved EB-5 Visas

India: Remains at May 1, 2019.

China: Remains at January 22, 2014.

All Other Countries: Remain current, meaning applicants can move forward without delay.

Reserved EB-5 Visas

All Countries (including India and China): Still current. Investors in these categories can continue moving through the process without delay, assuming all other application requirements are met.

These trends are sending a clear message: backlogs in unreserved EB-5 categories are deepening for high-demand countries, while reserved categories remain accessible.

Why Reserved Visas Offer a Major Advantage

The contrast between reserved and unreserved EB-5 categories is especially stark for investors from India and China. In unreserved categories, high demand and limited annual visa allocations are causing long waiting times—five to ten years in some cases, depending on how fast filings continue to rise.

In comparison, reserved visas are still available. Rural EB-5 projects, in particular, benefit from both visa set-asides and priority processing, meaning petitions are reviewed faster by USCIS. This combination not only shortens waiting times but also significantly reduces uncertainty.

However, this window of opportunity may not remain open for long. If demand continues to rise—particularly in the high-unemployment category, which has a smaller visa allocation—even the reserved categories could begin to see retrogression in the near future.

Take Action Early and Strategically

Timing is everything in EB-5. Investors who act early can access faster processing and shorter waiting times by securing a spot in the reserved categories—especially rural projects. But not every EB-5 project is created equal. Success in the EB-5 process depends not only on timely filing but also on project selection.

A poorly structured investment or non-compliant project could lead to denial of the petition or failure to obtain the required number of jobs. That’s why working with experienced EB-5 investment advisors is crucial. A trusted advisor can help you:

Choose a qualified, credible EB-5 project in a reserved category.
Provide early access to prestigious, exclusive rural EB-5 projects.
Understand how the Visa Bulletin affects your timeline.
Help you prepare a strong source of funds report.
Tailor your Green Card application process specifically to your needs and goals.

At Arcasia Advisors, we accompany EB-5 investors throughout their Green Card journey. Our team stays ahead of USCIS insights, works only with rigorously vetted projects, and prioritizes each client’s long-term success.

Contact us today to explore available EB-5 opportunities and secure your place in the reserved visa categories before demand catches up.

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