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September 2025 Visa Bulletin: A Deep Dive into Family-Based Progress and Stalled Employment Categories

The U.S. Department of State has just released the Visa Bulletin for September 2025, marking the final bulletin of the fiscal year. For thousands of immigrants and their families, this update is a crucial indicator of when their dreams of living in the U.S. might finally come true. This month brings a mix of emotions: significant forward movement for several family-sponsored categories, offering a beacon of hope, but also a complete standstill for all employment-based categories.

At ImmiBook, we've meticulously analyzed the data to bring you a clear, comprehensive breakdown of what these changes mean for you. Let's dive into the details, understand the practical implications, and equip you with the actionable advice you need.

Understanding the Visa Bulletin: Your Roadmap to U.S. Immigration

Before we dissect the latest movements, let's ensure we're all on the same page about how the Visa Bulletin works. It's published monthly by the U.S. Department of State and indicates when immigrant visa applicants can officially apply for a green card or receive an immigrant visa. It's a critical tool for managing the annual limits on green cards.

Key Terms to Know:

• Priority Date: This is essentially your place in line. For family-sponsored petitions, it's the date USCIS receives your I-130 petition. For employment-based petitions, it's the date the Department of Labor receives your PERM labor certification application, or the date USCIS receives your I-140 petition if no PERM is required.
• Final Action Dates (Chart A): This chart indicates when immigrant visas may actually be issued. Your priority date must be earlier than the date listed in Chart A for your category and country of chargeability for you to be eligible for a green card interview or for USCIS to approve your Adjustment of Status (I-485) application.
• Dates for Filing (Chart B): This chart indicates when applicants can *file* their Adjustment of Status application (I-485) with USCIS. While filing is a positive step, it doesn't mean your green card will be approved immediately. USCIS decides each month whether to accept Chart A or Chart B for filing; for September 2025, USCIS has indicated that applicants should refer to the Dates for Filing Chart B for family-sponsored categories and to the Final Action Dates Chart A for employment-based categories.
• "Current" (C): This means visa numbers are immediately available for that category and country of chargeability, and you can apply regardless of your priority date.
• "Unavailable" (U): This means no visa numbers are available for that category.

Keeping track of these dates can be challenging, but ImmiBook's Visa Bulletin Tracker is designed to help you monitor your specific category and priority date with ease.

September 2025 Visa Bulletin: Key Highlights at a Glance

The September 2025 Visa Bulletin concludes the fiscal year with a focus on family-sponsored advancements. Here's a quick overview:

• Total Categories Advanced: 9
• Total Categories Retrogressed: 0 (Excellent news!)
• Total Categories Unchanged: 141
• Average Movement (for advanced categories): Approximately 79 days

The Big Picture:

• Family-Sponsored Categories: Experienced all 9 advancements, with notable forward movement in F2A Dates for Filing, F2B Final Action Dates (Mexico and Philippines), and F3 Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing (Philippines).
• Employment-Based Categories: All categories (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4, EB-5) across all countries of chargeability remained unchanged. This is a significant point for employment-based applicants, meaning no new forward movement as the fiscal year closes.

Let's break down what this means for each preference category.

Detailed Analysis: Family-Sponsored Preference Categories

This month, all positive movements are concentrated within the family-sponsored categories. This is a welcome development for many families who have been patiently waiting.

F1: Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens

• Category Description: For unmarried sons and daughters (21 years of age or older) of U.S. citizens.
• September 2025 Movement: No change across all countries.
• Practical Impact: If you are an F1 applicant, your wait continues. The dates remain stagnant, meaning no new applicants are becoming eligible to file or have their green cards approved this month.
• Historical Context: F1 categories often see slower movement due to high demand and annual caps. This lack of movement at the end of the fiscal year suggests that the available visa numbers for this category have been fully utilized or are being reserved for the upcoming fiscal year.
• Actionable Advice: Continue to monitor future bulletins. Ensure all your documents are prepared and up-to-date, so you are ready to act immediately when your priority date becomes current.

F2A: Spouses and Children (under 21) of Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs)

• Category Description: This category is for the spouses and minor children of Green Card holders. It typically moves faster than other family categories due to higher visa number allocations.
• September 2025 Movement: Significant forward movement in Dates for Filing (Chart B) across all countries.

F2A Dates for Filing (Chart B) Movements:

Note: The Final Action Dates (Chart A) for F2A remained unchanged and "Current" for all countries except Mexico. Mexico's Final Action Date also remained unchanged at September 1, 2023.

• Practical Impact: If your priority date is earlier than June 1, 2025 (for most countries) and you are in the F2A category, you may now be eligible to *file* your Adjustment of Status application (I-485) or begin consular processing. This is fantastic news for many, as filing allows you to get in line, receive work authorization (EAD), and travel parole (Advance Parole) while you await your final green card approval.
• Historical Context: F2A has often been a category that sees quicker movement, and it's encouraging to see a broad advancement in the Dates for Filing. This suggests a healthy number of visas available or anticipated for filing in the coming months.
• Actionable Advice: Check your priority date immediately. If it's earlier than the new Dates for Filing, consult with an immigration attorney to prepare and submit your I-485 application as soon as possible. Don't delay!

F2B: Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs)

• Category Description: For unmarried sons and daughters (21 years of age or older) of Green Card holders.
• September 2025 Movement: Positive movement in Final Action Dates (Chart A) for Mexico and the Philippines. Other countries saw no change.

F2B Final Action Dates (Chart A) Movements:

Note: Dates for Filing (Chart B) for F2B remained unchanged across all countries.

• Practical Impact: If you are an F2B applicant from Mexico with a priority date earlier than April 1, 2007, or from the Philippines with a priority date earlier than May 1, 2012, your Final Action Date is now current! This means you could be eligible for your green card interview or for your I-485 to be approved. This is a significant step forward after a long wait.
• Historical Context: F2B often experiences slower movement, so any advancement, especially in Final Action Dates, is good news. The 90-day leap for Mexico is particularly noteworthy.
• Actionable Advice: If your priority date is now current, contact your immigration attorney immediately to prepare for the next steps, whether it's an interview at a U.S. embassy/consulate or the final processing of your Adjustment of Status application.

F3: Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens

• Category Description: For married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.
• September 2025 Movement: Significant advancements in both Final Action Dates (Chart A) and Dates for Filing (Chart B) for the Philippines. Other countries saw no change.

F3 Final Action Dates (Chart A) Movements:

F3 Dates for Filing (Chart B) Movements:

• Practical Impact: This is the biggest movement observed this month! If you are an F3 applicant from the Philippines with a priority date earlier than May 1, 2004, your Final Action Date is now current, meaning your green card is within reach. If your priority date is earlier than May 1, 2005, you can now file your Adjustment of Status application. This substantial leap provides immense relief and progress for many Filipino families.
• Historical Context: F3 for the Philippines has historically faced long backlogs. This significant advancement of over five months is a very positive sign, suggesting a push to utilize available visa numbers before the fiscal year ends.
• Actionable Advice: Immediately check your priority date. If current for Final Action, work with your attorney to finalize your case. If current for Dates for Filing, prepare to submit your I-485 or proceed with consular processing.

F4: Brothers and Sisters of U.S. Citizens

• Category Description: For brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens.
• September 2025 Movement: No change across all countries.
• Practical Impact: Similar to F1, F4 applicants will need to continue their wait. The dates remain stagnant.
• Historical Context: F4 is known for having some of the longest backlogs, often spanning decades for high-demand countries. Lack of movement at fiscal year-end is not uncommon for this category.
• Actionable Advice: Patience is key. Use this time to gather and organize all necessary documentation, ensuring everything is ready when your date eventually becomes current.

Detailed Analysis: Employment-Based Preference Categories

For all employment-based categories (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4, EB-5), the September 2025 Visa Bulletin reports no changes. All dates remain exactly as they were in the August 2025 bulletin. This means:

• EB-1 (Priority Workers): Remained Current for all countries except China and India, which also remained unchanged.
• EB-2 (Professionals Holding Advanced Degrees & Persons of Exceptional Ability): Remained unchanged for all countries, including the heavily backlogged China and India.
• EB-3 (Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers): Remained unchanged for all countries, including China and India.
• EB-4 (Certain Special Immigrants): Remained unchanged for all countries.
• EB-5 (Immigrant Investors): Remained unchanged for all countries.

Why the Standstill for Employment-Based Categories?

The end of the fiscal year (September 30th) often brings interesting dynamics to the Visa Bulletin. Sometimes, there's a rush to use up remaining visa numbers, leading to significant forward movement. Other times, like this month, the numbers may have already been fully allocated or spoken for in previous months, leading to a pause.

• Visa Number Utilization: It's likely that the annual quota of employment-based visas for Fiscal Year 2025 has been largely utilized or projected to be used up by the end of September.
• Anticipation of New Fiscal Year: The Department of State might be holding back on significant movements as they prepare for the allocation of new visa numbers for Fiscal Year 2026, which begins on October 1, 2025. This often results in a "reset" or new movements in the October bulletin.

Practical Impact for EB Applicants:

For those in employment-based categories, this month's bulletin means continued waiting. No new applicants are becoming eligible to file or receive their green cards based on this update. While this can be frustrating, especially after a long wait, it's a common pattern at the end of a fiscal year.

Actionable Advice for EB Applicants:

• Patience and Preparation: This is a time to ensure all your documentation is in perfect order. Review your I-485 application (if already filed) or prepare all necessary documents for when your date eventually becomes current.
• Monitor October 2025 Bulletin: The October bulletin, which kicks off the new fiscal year, is often where we see significant shifts for employment-based categories as new visa numbers become available. Keep a close eye on it!
• Stay Informed: Continue to use ImmiBook's Visa Bulletin Tracker for real-time updates and predictions for the upcoming fiscal year.

General Actionable Advice for ALL Applicants

Regardless of your category, here's what you should be doing:

1. Know Your Priority Date: This is the single most important piece of information for you. Find it on your I-130 or I-140 approval notice.
2. Track Your Dates Regularly: The Visa Bulletin is released monthly. Use ImmiBook's Visa Bulletin Tracker to get personalized updates and notifications.
3. Consult an Immigration Attorney: The Visa Bulletin can be complex, and individual circumstances vary greatly. An experienced immigration attorney can provide personalized advice, confirm your eligibility, and guide you through the application process.
4. Gather Your Documents: Even if your date isn't current yet, start preparing all necessary documents for your Adjustment of Status (I-485) application or consular processing. This includes birth certificates, marriage certificates, police clearances, medical exam results, financial documents, and more. Being prepared means you can act quickly when your date becomes current.
5. If Your Date is Current (Final Action Chart A):
   • For Adjustment of Status (within the U.S.): If you have an I-485 pending, USCIS may now be able to finalize your case. If you haven't filed yet, work with your attorney to submit your I-485 application package.
   • For Consular Processing (outside the U.S.): The National Visa Center (NVC) will contact you to begin or continue processing your immigrant visa application. Respond promptly to all requests.
6. If Your Date is Current (Dates for Filing Chart B):
   • If USCIS indicates you can use Chart B (as they have for family-based this month), you may be able to file your I-485 application. Filing allows you to receive work authorization (EAD) and travel permission (Advance Parole) while you wait for your Final Action Date to become current.
7. If Your Date is Not Current: Stay patient and informed. The wait can be long, but progress does happen. Focus on keeping your personal information and documents up-to-date.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a Priority Date, and why is it so important?

A: Your Priority Date is essentially your timestamp in the immigration queue. It's the date your petition (I-130 for family, I-140/PERM for employment) was first received by USCIS or the Department of Labor. The Visa Bulletin shows which Priority Dates are "current" (i.e., eligible to move forward) for specific visa categories and countries. Without a current Priority Date, you cannot receive a green card.

Q2: What's the difference between Final Action Dates (Chart A) and Dates for Filing (Chart B)?

A: Final Action Dates (Chart A) tell you when your green card can actually be approved or when you can have your immigrant visa interview. Your Priority Date must be *earlier* than the date listed in Chart A. Dates for Filing (Chart B) tell you when you can *submit* your Adjustment of Status (I-485) application if you are already in the U.S. Filing allows you to get a work permit (EAD) and travel document (Advance Parole) while you wait for your Final Action Date to become current. USCIS determines which chart to use for filing each month.

Q3: My date is current for Final Action! What should I do now?

A: Congratulations! If your Priority Date is earlier than the Final Action Date (Chart A) for your category and country:

• If you have a pending I-485: USCIS can now process and approve your application.
• If you haven't filed I-485 yet (and are in the U.S.): Immediately consult an immigration attorney to prepare and submit your I-485 application package.
• If you are outside the U.S. (consular processing): The National Visa Center (NVC) should contact you to schedule your immigrant visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate. Ensure you have all required documents ready.

Q4: My date is current for Dates for Filing (Chart B) but not Final Action (Chart A). What does this mean?

A: This means you are eligible to *file* your Adjustment of Status (I-485) application if you are in the U.S. and USCIS has indicated that Chart B should be used for your category (which they have for family-sponsored in September 2025). Filing your I-485 allows you to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and Advance Parole (travel permit), providing significant benefits while you wait for your Final Action Date to become current.

Q5: My date is not current. What should I do?

A: The waiting can be tough, but don't lose hope.

• Stay informed: Continuously track the Visa Bulletin (ImmiBook makes this easy!).
• Prepare: Use this time to gather and organize all necessary documents for your future application.
• Consult: Speak with an immigration attorney to understand your options and ensure your case is on track.
• Be patient: Visa backlogs are a reality for many, but dates do move, often unexpectedly.

Q6: Why do some categories move faster than others, and why are some countries more backlogged?

A: Visa categories have different annual caps set by law. For instance, F2A usually moves faster because it has a higher allocation of visas. Additionally, there's a 7% per-country limit on most visa categories. Countries with very high demand, like India, China, Mexico, and the Philippines, often hit these limits quickly, leading to much longer backlogs compared to countries with lower demand.

Q7: What happens at the end of the fiscal year (September 30)?

A: The fiscal year ends on September 30th. Each fiscal year, a new batch of visa numbers becomes available on October 1st. Sometimes, the Department of State makes a final push to use all available visas before the end of the fiscal year, leading to big jumps. Other times, as we see this month for EB categories, movements might stall if the quotas are already met or if they're preparing for the new fiscal year's allocation. The October Visa Bulletin is often highly anticipated for this reason.

Q8: Can the dates retrogress after moving forward?

A: Yes, unfortunately, retrogressions (when a priority date moves backward) can and do happen. This usually occurs when demand for visas in a particular category or country exceeds the available supply. It's why continuous monitoring of the Visa Bulletin is so important.

Summary and Outlook for the October 2025 Visa Bulletin

The September 2025 Visa Bulletin offers a mixed bag, yet with clear positives for many family-sponsored applicants. The significant forward movements in F2A Dates for Filing, F2B Final Action Dates for Mexico and the Philippines, and especially the substantial leap for F3 Philippines applicants, are encouraging signs of progress. These advancements mean real opportunities for thousands of individuals to move closer to their green cards.

However, the complete lack of movement in all employment-based categories is a stark reminder of the persistent challenges faced by these applicants. While frustrating, this end-of-fiscal-year pause is not entirely unexpected as visa numbers are utilized and the system prepares for the new fiscal year.

Looking Ahead to October 2025:

The October 2025 Visa Bulletin, which ushers in Fiscal Year 2026, will be critical. We anticipate:

• Potential for EB Movement: With new visa numbers becoming available, there is a strong possibility of forward movement in some employment-based categories, particularly for countries that have been stalled. EB-2 and EB-3 for India and China will be closely watched.
• Continued Family-Based Trends: Family-based categories may see further adjustments as the new annual quotas are applied. We hope to see continued, albeit perhaps slower, progress.
• Possible Retrogressions: While none occurred this month, as visa numbers are consumed in the new fiscal year, there's always a possibility of retrogressions in categories that experience high demand.

The journey to a green card is often long and filled with anticipation. We at ImmiBook understand the emotional toll of these waits. We encourage you to remain hopeful, stay informed, and take proactive steps when your priority date becomes current. Use our ImmiBook Visa Bulletin Tracker to monitor your case and receive timely updates. Your dream is within reach, and we're here to help you get there.

Disclaimer: This blog post provides general information and is not legal advice. Always consult with a qualified immigration attorney for advice tailored to your specific situation.