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Below you will find an analysis of the Visa Bulletin issued by the Department of State, corresponding to the month of October 2025 , which determines the availability of immigrant visas for the different categories of family and employment petitions , in addition to general information that will help you understand how it works.

PETITION BY FAMILY MEMBER
FOR MOST COUNTRIES (except: China, India, Mexico and the Philippines)
CAT.BENEFICIARIESPRIORITY DATEWAIT TIMEDIFFERENCE FROM THE PREVIOUS MONTH
F1Children over 21 years of CitizenNovember 08, 20168 years, 10 months, and 23 days3 months, and 24 days
F2ASpouse or unmarried children under the age of 21 of Legal Permanent ResidentFebruary 1, 20241 year, 8 months1 year, and 5 months
F2BUnmarried children over 21 years of Legal Permanent ResidentNovember 22, 20168 years, 10 months, and 9 days1 month, and 7 days
F3Married children of CitizenSeptember 8, 201114 years, and 23 days1 month, and 7 days
F4Citizen BrothersJanuary 8, 200817 years, 8 months, and 24 days7 days
MEXICO
F1Children over 21 years of CitizenNovember 22, 200519 years, 10 months, and 9 days7 months
F2ASpouse or unmarried children under the age of 21 of Legal Permanent ResidentFebruary 1, 20232 years, and 8 months1 year
F2BUnmarried children over 21 years of Legal Permanent ResidentDecember 15, 200717 years, 9 months, and 17 days8 months, and 14 days
F3Married children of Citizen15 April, 200124 years, 5 months, and 16 days2 months, and 14 days
F4Citizen Brothers8 April, 200124 years, 5 months, and 23 days24 days

PETITION FOR JOB
FOR MOST COUNTRIES INCLUDING MEXICO
E1Priority WorkersOctober 1, 20250 days1 month
E2People of exceptional abilityDecember 1, 20231 year, and 10 months91 days
E3Experienced and professional workers1 April, 20232 years, and 6 months0 days
E3Other workersJulio 15, 20214 years, 2 months, and 17 days7 days

What is the Visa Bulletin?  

The Visa Bulletin (BV) is a guide used by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of State (DOS) to determine who is eligible to receive an immigrant visa, based on the date the applicant filed their application. This date is called the Priority Date and determines the applicant's position on the waiting list.

The reason behind the Visa Bulletin is that immigration law sets a limit on the number of people who can immigrate to the United States each year, depending on the category. When the number of applicants exceeds the number of available visas, a backlog occurs.

Each month the Visa Bulletin announces the priority or cut-off date, which means that in order for an immigrant to adjust status, in other words, obtain residency, the immigrant must have a priority date earlier than the closing date for the category in the Bulletin.

In a family-based immigration case, the priority date is the date USCIS receives the petition. In an employment-based case, the priority date is the date the Department of Labor (DOL) receives the request to certify that the worker is eligible for permanent residence. When the law does not require labor certification, it is the date USCIS receives the petition.

Generally, the Visa Bulletin date works forward, but if the State Department determines that visas for a certain category or country are being used faster than anticipated, the cutoff date can be pushed back or even stopped.

Disclaimer : This newsletter is for general information purposes only and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. It should not be considered legal advice. Any decisions you make based on this information are at your own risk and responsibility.

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