The US Department of State has released its February 2025 Visa Bulletin, bringing some good news for Indian nationals waiting for their green cards. While there's still a long way to go, especially in high-demand categories like EB-1 and EB-5, there are some incremental advancements that will give applicants a glimmer of hope.

In the EB-1 category, which is for individuals with extraordinary abilities, outstanding professors, or multinational executives, there's no change for India. 
However, in the EB-2 category, which is for professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional abilities, India sees a two-week jump to October 15, 2012. It's a small step, but it's progress nonetheless.

The EB-3 category, which includes professionals with bachelor's degrees and skilled workers, also sees a two-week advancement to December 15, 2012. The same goes for the EB-3 Other Workers category, which is for unskilled labor.

Unfortunately, there's no change for India in the EB-5 category, which is for immigrant investors. The final action date remains at January 1, 2022.

What does this mean for applicants?

The Visa Bulletin is like a roadmap for green card applicants. It helps them understand the timeline for adjusting their immigration status and eligibility based on their application submission.

There are two key sections to the bulletin: Dates for Filing and Final Action Dates. The first section tells applicants when they can submit their adjustment of status or immigrant visa applications. The second section estimates the wait time for application approval, leading to permanent residency.

Understanding these dates is crucial for processing the green card application. Applicants need to keep an eye on these dates to determine when they can expect their applications to be processed.

For individuals seeking to reunite with their loved ones in the United States, understanding the family-sponsored green card process can be a daunting task. The February 2025 Visa Bulletin sheds light on the various preference categories, providing valuable insights for those navigating this complex system.

There are four primary categories for family-sponsored immigrants:

• Preference First  or F1: This category is reserved for unmarried sons/Daughters of United States' citizens.
• Second Preference (F2): This category encompasses spouses and children, as well as unmarried sons and daughters (21 years or older) of permanent residents. It's further divided into F2A (spouses and children of permanent residents) and F2B (unmarried sons and daughters of permanent residents).
• Third Preference (F3): Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens fall under this category.
• Fourth Preference (F4): This category is for brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens.

The Visa Bulletin provides a detailed breakdown of how immigrant visas are allocated. Priority dates and demand received by April 1st of each fiscal year play a crucial role in determining visa availability. When demand exceeds the available visas in a particular category or country, that category becomes oversubscribed. In such cases, the final action date is determined by the priority date of the first applicant who couldn't be accommodated within the numerical limits.

While there's still a long way to go, the February 2025 Visa Bulletin brings some small advancements for Indian nationals waiting for their green cards. It's a step in the right direction, and applicants should stay hopeful.