Indian Green Card Applicant See Progress in US Visa Bulletin

The U.S. Visa Bulletin for January 2025 has brought notable changes for Indian applicants seeking green cards, particularly in employment-based visa categories. For individuals applying through the EB1 (Priority Workers) category, the wait times remain relatively short, with the final action date remaining steady at February 1, 2022. This indicates limited movement for Indian applicants in the EB1 category, but it remains the fastest route to a green card, compared to other employment-based categories that continue to face significant delays​

For the EB2 category (Advanced Degree Professionals), there is some progress, with the final action date advancing by two weeks to August 1, 2012. This offers a small window of opportunity for Indian applicants who have been waiting for several years. However, the overall backlogs remain a major challenge, with many applicants still facing wait times extending over a decade​. Similarly, the EB3 category, which includes skilled workers and professionals, has seen limited advancement, with the final action date moving by only a week to November 8, 2012​

The U.S. Visa Bulletin's updates also emphasize the continuing dominance of the per-country cap, which severely impacts countries like India where demand for green cards far exceeds the available supply. Despite small advancements, Indian applicants in the EB2 and EB3 categories still have a long wait ahead, with some applicants eligible for filing based on the "Dates for Filing" chart rather than the "Final Action Dates"​. This complexity underscores the importance of closely monitoring the Visa Bulletin for updates and strategically planning the green card process.

While the movement in the January 2025 Visa Bulletin is modest, it offers hope for those in the EB2 and EB3 categories, especially as minor advances provide opportunities for applicants to prepare documentation and adjust their filing strategies. It is crucial for applicants to stay updated with the latest visa bulletin releases to maximize their chances in the green card process​.