Key EB-5 Takeaways From the July 2025 Visa Bulletin
Each month, the U.S. Department of State issues the Visa Bulletin to indicate when foreign nationals can take the next steps in their immigration process. For EB-5 investors, this bulletin plays a vital role in determining when they can either submit a Form I-485 (adjustment of status) or schedule a visa interview at a U.S. consulate abroad.
The bulletin is split into two main charts: Final Action Dates (when Green Cards can be approved) and Dates for Filing (when applicants can begin submitting paperwork). For July 2025, USCIS has confirmed that it will use the Final Action Dates chart for all employment-based Green Card categories, including EB-5.
Below is a summary of this month’s visa bulletin changes and what they mean for EB-5 applicants and other employment-based visa holders.
Small Shifts in Some Employment-Based Visa Categories
The July 2025 visa bulletin brings minor advancements in several employment-based categories:
EB-1: India holds steady at February 15, 2022, while China moves forward by one week to November 15, 2022. All other countries remain current.
EB-2: India sees no change, staying at January 1, 2013, while China advances by two weeks to December 15, 2020.
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers:
India progresses by one week to April 22, 2013.
China moves forward to December 1, 2020.
All other countries, including Mexico, advance to April 1, 2023.
The Philippines sees no change.
EB-4: Continues to be unavailable for all countries due to the annual limit being reached. This category is expected to reset on October 1, 2025.
EB-5 Investors: Reserved Categories Remain Current, Unreserved Remains Unchanged
For EB-5 applicants, the Final Action Dates remain unchanged from June:
Unreserved EB-5
China: January 22, 2014
India: May 1, 2019
All other countries: Current
Set-Aside Categories: Current for all countries
This steady movement reinforces the trend seen in recent months: reserved visa categories continue to offer a faster and more predictable path to a Green Card, while backlogs persist in the unreserved categories for high-demand countries like China and India.
As for Dates for Filing, China and India remain subject to cutoff dates in the unreserved EB-5 category (October 1, 2016, and April 1, 2022, respectively), while all countries remain current in all categories.
Why This Matters for EB-5 Applicants
The July bulletin reinforces a few critical insights:
Reserved EB-5 categories are still open and current, which means eligible investors can move forward without delay. This is especially true for those filing under the rural visa category, which continues to benefit from priority processing.
Backlogs in the unreserved category remain unchanged, making it especially important for investors from high-demand countries like India and China to select a strong rural TEA project that qualifies for reserved visas and faster processing.
Working with an experienced EB-5 advisor is more important than ever, as project selection and visa category choice can make a significant difference in waiting times and success rates.
Plan Your Next Step With Confidence
Choosing the best EB-5 project isn’t just about meeting the basic investment requirements—it’s about positioning your application for success in a complex and competitive immigration landscape. As backlogs persist and rural investments gain a clear edge, the right project can significantly affect your processing time and long-term immigration success.
At Arcasia Advisors, we specialize in helping investors identify top-tier EB-5 opportunities that are not only compliant and transparent but also aligned with your personal goals. Our team closely monitors visa policy shifts, project performance, and investor trends to offer clear, data-backed guidance every step of the way.
Contact us today to explore your options and take the next step toward U.S. residency—and eventual citizenship—with confidence.
