In the previous month’s Visa Bulletin, we anticipated that the USCIS would continue the cautious approach it has employed in recent months. As expected, the January 2025 Visa Bulletin reflects this strategy, bringing modest yet steady changes across several visa categories. While these incremental adjustments may seem underwhelming for those hoping for larger movements, it is encouraging to see no retrogression in priority dates. This deliberate pace suggests the USCIS is taking a calculated approach to balancing demand and processing capacity as the new year begins.
Before diving into this month’s analysis, let’s briefly revisit the December 2024 Visa Bulletin. The previous bulletin set the stage for the current announcement by reinforcing the USCIS’s “wait and watch” strategy. Small advancements in key categories were a signal that, while progress may be slow, the agency was committed to maintaining forward momentum without regressing on previous gains. This month’s bulletin builds on that cautious optimism. Let’s take a closer look.
Family-based
Final Action Date
- F1 All Other Chargeable Areas – October 22, 2015 to November 22, 2015 + 1 month
- F1 China – October 22, 2015 to November 22, 2015 + 1 month
- F1 India – October 22, 2015 to November 22, 2015 + 1 month
- F2A Mexico – April 15, 2021 to May 15, 2021 + 1 month
- F2B All Other Chargeable Areas – May 1, 2016 to May 22, 2016 + 21 days
- F2B China – May 1, 2016 to May 22, 2016 + 21 days
- F2B India – May 1, 2016 to May 22, 2016 + 21 days
- F3 All Other Chargeable Areas – April 15, 2010 to July 1, 2010 + 2 months & 16 days
- F3 China – April 15, 2010 to July 1, 2010 + 2 months & 16 days
- F3 India – April 15, 2010 to July 1, 2010 + 2 months & 16 days
- F3 Mexico – October 22, 2000 to November 22, 2000 + 1 month
- F3 Philippines – September 8, 2002 to November 8, 2002 + 2 months
- F4 India – March 8, 2006 to April 8, 2006 + 1 month
- F4 Philippines – February 1, 2004 to May 1, 2004 + 3 months
Date of Filing Application
- F2B Mexico – July 1, 2006 to October 1, 2006 + 3 months
- F3 All Other Chargeable Areas – April 22, 2012 to July 22, 2012 + 3 months
- F3 China – April 22, 2012 to July 22, 2012 + 3 months
- F3 India – April 22, 2012 to July 22, 2012 + 3 months
- F4 India – August 1, 2006 to August 15, 2006 + 14 days
- F4 Philippines – July 22, 2007 to January 1, 2008 + 5 months & 10 days
Employment-based
Final Action Date
- EB2 All Other Chargeable Areas – March 15, 2023 to April 1, 2023 + 17 days
- EB2 China – March 22, 2020 to April 22, 2020 + 1 month
- EB2 India – August 1, 2012 to October 1, 2012 + 2 months
- EB2 Mexico – March 15, 2023 to April 1, 2023 + 17 days
- EB2 Philippines – March 15, 2023 to April 1, 2023 + 17 days
- EB3 All Other Chargeable Areas – November 15, 2022 to December 1, 2022 + 17 days
- EB3 China – April 1, 2020 to June 1, 2020 + 1 month
- EB3 India – November 8, 2012 to December 1, 2012 + 1 month
- EB3 Mexico – November 15, 2022 to December 1, 2022 + 17 days
- EB3 Philippines – November 15, 2022 to December 1, 2022 + 17 days
- Other Workers All Other Chargeable Areas – December 1, 2020 to December 8, 2020 + 7 days
- Other Workers India – November 8, 2012 to December 1, 2012 + 23 days
- Other Workers Mexico – November 8, 2012 to December 8, 2012 + 1 month
- Other Workers Philippines – November 8, 2012 to December 8, 2012 + 1 month
Note that the “Certain Religious Workers” Category is now unavailable again.
Date of Filing Application
- No Changes
Certain Religious Workers Category Unavailable Again
One noteworthy detail in this month’s bulletin is the continued unavailability of the Certain Religious Workers category. While this might be disappointing for applicants in this category, it’s worth noting that such unavailability has occurred intermittently over the past several months. Historically, this category has been reinstated after temporary lapses, so we remain optimistic that it may return in upcoming bulletins.
Analysis of January 2025 Visa Bulletin Results
Across other categories, we observed several shifts, albeit modest ones. Changes in priority dates averaged around one month, with the largest single advancement being a three-month leap in a specific employment-based category. Compared to January 2024’s Visa Bulletin, which brought significant movement across multiple categories, the current announcement signals a more conservative approach.
The small yet consistent advancements across vital categories and countries highlight the USCIS’s commitment to measured progress. In particular, employment-based categories such as EB2 India and EB2 China continue to see incremental improvements, which is a promising sign for applicants in these high-demand groups. The absence of retrogressions underscores that the agency is cautiously optimistic about maintaining stability as it evaluates demand.
The sustained trend of slow, positive changes—without any pullbacks—also suggests a strategic “wait and see” period. This approach could set the stage for larger advancements later in 2025. For applicants in consistently advancing categories, this is a hopeful sign that bigger leaps may be on the horizon.
It’s also worth noting that these changes reflect the USCIS’s efforts to address backlog challenges and align priority dates with their processing capacity. While the pace might be frustratingly slow for some, the absence of major retrogressions is a reassuring indicator of stability.
February 2025 Visa Bulletin Predictions
Looking ahead, it’s important to temper expectations for February 2025’s Visa Bulletin. The cautious approach seen in recent months suggests that the USCIS may continue to prioritize small, incremental changes. That said, the categories that have consistently advanced—such as EB2 India and EB2 China—could be positioned for more significant leaps if demand and capacity align favorably.
As we’ve mentioned before, the USCIS’s decision-making appears to be driven by a deliberate evaluation of demand and their ability to process applications efficiently. While we hope for larger advancements in the near future, it’s possible that February 2025 could bring another round of modest changes. However, the consistent forward movement seen in recent months provides a strong foundation for potential breakthroughs later in the year.
See the U.S. Department of State website to view the January 2025 Visa Bulletin.
