The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs has released the February 2025 Visa Bulletin, outlining the availability of immigrant visa numbers. This bulletin serves as a critical guide for applicants and immigration professionals, providing detailed information on Final Action Dates, Filing Dates, and the allocation of immigrant visas. Below is a breakdown of the key sections from the bulletin.
1. Overview of Immigrant Visa Allocation
- Immigrant Numbers for February 2025:
The bulletin explains the availability of immigrant visa numbers for both Family-Sponsored and Employment-Based categories. Applicants must use the “Final Action Dates” chart to determine eligibility for adjustment of status, unless the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) directs otherwise on its website. - Annual Visa Limits:
- Family-Sponsored Immigrant Visas: Capped at 226,000 for fiscal year 2025.
- Employment-Based Immigrant Visas: Minimum limit set at 140,000.
- Per-Country Limits: Each country is allotted 7% of the total annual preference immigrant visa numbers, equating to 25,620 visas. Dependent areas have a limit of 2%, or 7,320 visas.
2. Family-Sponsored Preference Categories
The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) outlines four family-sponsored preference categories:
- First Preference (F1):
Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens – 23,400 visas plus unused numbers from the fourth preference. - Second Preference (F2):
Spouses, children, and unmarried sons and daughters of permanent residents – 114,200 visas plus any surplus from the total family-sponsored limit.- F2A: Spouses and children of permanent residents – 77% of F2 allocation.
- F2B: Unmarried adult sons and daughters of permanent residents – 23% of F2 allocation.
- Third Preference (F3):
Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens – 23,400 visas plus unused numbers from the first and second preferences. - Fourth Preference (F4):
Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens (21 years or older) – 65,000 visas plus unused numbers from other preferences.
3. Family-Sponsored Visa Final Action Dates (Chart A)
Below are the cutoff dates for visa issuance under family-sponsored categories:
| Category | All Areas Except Listed | China (Mainland-Born) | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Nov 22, 2015 | Nov 22, 2015 | Nov 22, 2015 | Nov 22, 2004 | Mar 8, 2012 |
| F2A | Jan 1, 2022 | Jan 1, 2022 | Jan 1, 2022 | May 15, 2021 | Jan 1, 2022 |
| F2B | May 22, 2016 | May 22, 2016 | May 22, 2016 | Jul 1, 2005 | Oct 22, 2011 |
| F3 | Jul 1, 2010 | Jul 1, 2010 | Jul 1, 2010 | Nov 22, 2000 | Nov 8, 2002 |
| F4 | Aug 1, 2007 | Aug 1, 2007 | Apr 8, 2006 | Mar 1, 2001 | May 1, 2004 |
- “C” means current – numbers are authorized for issuance to all qualified applicants
- “U” means unauthorized – numbers are not authorized for issuance
- For F2A cases: Numbers EXEMPT from per-country limit are available for priority dates earlier than 15MAY21
- For F2A cases: Numbers SUBJECT to per-country limit (except Mexico) are available for priority dates between 15MAY21 and 01JAN22
4. Filing Dates for Family-Sponsored Visa Applications (Chart B)
| Category | All Areas Except Listed | China (Mainland-Born) | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Sep 1, 2017 | Sep 1, 2017 | Sep 1, 2017 | Oct 1, 2005 | Apr 22, 2015 |
| F2A | Jul 15, 2024 | Jul 15, 2024 | Jul 15, 2024 | Jul 15, 2024 | Jul 15, 2024 |
| F2B | Jan 1, 2017 | Jan 1, 2017 | Jan 1, 2017 | Oct 1, 2006 | Oct 1, 2013 |
| F3 | Jul 22, 2012 | Jul 22, 2012 | Jul 22, 2012 | Jun 15, 2001 | May 8, 2004 |
| F4 | Mar 1, 2008 | Mar 1, 2008 | Aug 15, 2006 | Apr 30, 2001 | Jan 1, 2008 |
| Category | All Countries | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 01OCT05 | 22APR15 |
| F2A | 15JUL24 | 15JUL24 | 15JUL24 | 15JUL24 | 15JUL24 |
| F2B | 01JAN17 | 01JAN17 | 01JAN17 | 01OCT06 | 01OCT13 |
| F3 | 22JUL12 | 22JUL12 | 22JUL12 | 15JUN01 | 08MAY04 |
| F4 | 01MAR08 | 01MAR08 | 15AUG06 | 30APR01 | 01JAN08 |
Category Descriptions
F1: Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
F2A: Spouses and Children of Lawful Permanent Residents
F2B: Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Lawful Permanent Residents
F3: Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
F4: Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
5. Employment-Based Preferences
The INA also prescribes five employment-based preference categories:
- First Preference (EB-1): Priority workers (e.g., outstanding professors, researchers).
- Second Preference (EB-2): Members of professions with advanced degrees or exceptional ability.
- Third Preference (EB-3): Skilled workers, professionals, and other workers.
- Fourth Preference (EB-4): Certain special immigrants (e.g., religious workers).
- Fifth Preference (EB-5): Employment creation investors, including rural and infrastructure project investments.
| Employment Based Category | All Areas | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|
“C” means current – numbers are authorized for issuance to all qualified applicants
“U” means unauthorized – numbers are not authorized for issuance
Dates shown indicate that only applicants with priority dates earlier than the listed date can be processed
6. Employment-Based Visa Final Action Dates (Chart A)
| Category | All Areas Except Listed | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Current | Nov 8, 2022 | Feb 1, 2022 | Current | Current |
| EB-2 | Apr 1, 2023 | Apr 22, 2020 | Oct 15, 2012 | Apr 1, 2023 | Apr 1, 2023 |
| EB-3 | Dec 1, 2022 | Jul 1, 2020 | Dec 15, 2012 | Dec 1, 2022 | Dec 1, 2022 |
| Other Workers | Dec 8, 2020 | Jan 1, 2017 | Dec 15, 2012 | Dec 8, 2020 | Dec 8, 2020 |
💡 How to use this tool:
1. Select your employment-based preference category
2. Choose your country of chargeability
3. View your filing eligibility and priority date information
7. Diversity Visa (DV) Program
- Visa Allocation for February 2025:
A total of 52,000 visas are available for FY-2025, divided among six geographic regions.
| Region | Cutoff Number |
|---|---|
| Africa | 22,500 |
| Asia | 5,500 |
| Europe | 12,000 |
| North America | 20 |
| Oceania | 1,100 |
| South America | 1,750 |
8. Special Notes
- Religious Worker Visas (SR): Extended until March 14, 2025. All applicants must enter the U.S. by this date.
- Special Immigrant Visas (SIV): Applies to certain U.S. government employees abroad.
For further information, visit the USCIS Visa Bulletin Page.
