September 2025 Visa Bulletin: What It Means for Your U.S. Green Card Journey

September 09, 2025•2 min read

September 2025 Visa Bulletin: What It Means for Your U.S. Green Card Journey

What Is the Visa Bulletin?

The Visa Bulletin is published monthly by the U.S. Department of State. It shows how long you may need to wait to get a green card based on visa category and your country. It lists two main dates for each category:

Final Action Dates: When your green card can actually be approved if your place in line (your "priority date") is earlier than this date.
Dates for Filing: When you’re eligible to submit your green card application (if USCIS indicates you can file based on the bulletin).

Why This Matters

This bulletin helps applicants understand whether they can move forward with their application—and whether to file now or wait.

Key Highlights from September 2025 (Visa Bulletin)

For Family-Sponsored Green Cards, the chart marked “Dates for Filing” should be used to determine when you can submit your application.
For Employment-Based Green Cards (EB categories), you must use the “Final Action Dates” chart to see if your case is eligible for approval.

In other words:

Family-based applicants: Can file applications if their priority dates are earlier than the “Dates for Filing” cutoff.
Employment-based applicants: Approval will proceed only if their priority dates are earlier than the listed “Final Action Dates."

EB-2 (Employment-Based, 2nd Preference) Snapshot

This category covers those with advanced degrees or exceptional ability. According to the September 2025 Visa Bulletin:

EB-2 Final Action Date for India is January 1, 2013
EB-2 Final Action Date for China is December 15, 2020
All other countries remain at September 1, 2023

That means green cards can only be approved for EB-2 applicants whose priority date is earlier than these cutoff dates.

What Does This Mean for You?

If you applied years ago and your priority date is before the cutoff, your case could soon be approved.
If your date isn’t current, you’ll still need to wait—tracking these dates monthly gives you a clearer timeline.
Misunderstanding these charts can delay your immigration progress. That’s why clarity matters.

Understanding Immigration Terms (in Plain English)

Priority Date: The date your immigration petition (like a family or employment green card petition) is officially filed. It essentially sets your place in line.
Final Action Date: The cutoff indicating when your green card can be issued—only if your priority date is on or before this date.
Date for Filing: The cutoff at which you can begin submitting your green card application paperwork—even if approval may come later.

Call to Action

At Thomas J. Hanna Law, our mission is to make your path to a U.S. green card as smooth and clear as possible. If the Visa Bulletin feels confusing, or if you’re unsure whether it’s time to move forward, we’re here to help you understand your timeline—and act with confidence.

📞 Call us today at (619) 831-1112
🌐 Visit: www.thomasjhannalaw.com

Credit: This article references the September 2025 Visa Bulletin from the official U.S. Department of State site, Travel.State.Gov https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2025/visa-bulletin-for-september-2025.html

THOMAS J HANNA LAW

Thomas J. Hanna Law is a trusted immigration and family law firm with over six years of dedicated experience helping individuals and families navigate complex legal processes. Known for compassionate, client-centered representation, the firm provides clear guidance and strong advocacy in immigration petitions, family-based cases, and cross-border legal matters. At Thomas J. Hanna Law, every case is about more than paperwork — it’s about protecting families, securing futures, and building new beginnings.

Back to Blog