Quick Summary:
USVisaBulletinDec2025 as the U.S. State Department releases its December 2025 Visa Bulletin, showing forward movement in both family-sponsored and employment-based categories, with no retrogressions reported.
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. State Department has issued the December 2025 Visa Bulletin, providing key updates for immigrants seeking lawful permanent residency. The bulletin reveals steady forward movement across multiple family-sponsored and employment-based categories, allowing thousands of applicants to move closer to green card eligibility.
Understanding the Visa Bulletin
Each month, the State Department releases two reference charts:
- Final Action Dates (FAD): The earliest priority date at which a green card can be issued.
- Dates for Filing (DOF): The earliest date applicants may submit adjustment or visa paperwork.
If an applicant’s priority date is before the DOF, they can file their green card application. If it is before the FAD, a visa is available, and their case can be approved.
Family-Sponsored Visa Updates
The December 2025 bulletin shows notable progress in several family-based categories, particularly for applicants from Mexico and the Philippines.
Final Action Dates (FAD):
- F1 (Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens) – Mexico advanced +3 months, 7 days, from 22 Nov 2005 to 1 Mar 2006.
- F2B (Unmarried Sons/Daughters of Permanent Residents, 21+ years) – Mexico advanced +5 months, from 15 Dec 2007 to 15 May 2008.
- F2B (Philippines) – advanced +7 days, from 1 Oct 2012 to 8 Oct 2012.
- F3 (Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens) – Philippines advanced +40 days, from 22 Sep 2004 to 1 Nov 2004.
- F4 (Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens) – Philippines advanced +3 months, 23 days, from 22 Mar 2006 to 15 Jul 2006.
Other family-based FAD categories remain unchanged.
Dates for Filing (DOF):
- F2A (Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents) advanced +1 month across all chargeability areas, including China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines, moving from 22 Oct 2025 to 22 Nov 2025.
No other family filing changes were announced.
Employment-Based Visa Updates
The employment-based categories recorded steady forward movement across all major preferences, with no retrogressions reported for December 2025.
Final Action Dates (FAD):
- First (Priority Workers)
- China (mainland-born): +1 month, from 22 Dec 2022 to 22 Jan 2023
- India: +1 month, from 15 Feb 2022 to 15 Mar 2022
- Second (Advanced Degrees or Exceptional Ability)
- All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed: +2 months, from 1 Dec 2023 to 1 Feb 2024
- China (mainland-born): +2 months, from 1 Apr 2021 to 1 Jun 2021
- India: +44 days, from 1 Apr 2013 to 15 May 2013
- Mexico: +2 months, from 1 Dec 2023 to 1 Feb 2024
- Philippines: +2 months, from 1 Dec 2023 to 1 Feb 2024
- Third (Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers)
- All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed: +14 days, from 1 Apr 2023 to 15 Apr 2023
- China (mainland-born): +1 month, from 1 Mar 2021 to 1 Apr 2021
- India: +1 month, from 22 Aug 2013 to 22 Sep 2013
- Mexico: +14 days, from 1 Apr 2023 to 15 Apr 2023
- Philippines: +14 days, from 1 Apr 2023 to 15 Apr 2023
- Other Workers
- All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed: +17 days, from 15 Jul 2021 to 1 Aug 2021
- China (mainland-born): +7 days, from 1 Dec 2017 to 9 Dec 2017
- India: +1 month, from 22 Aug 2013 to 22 Sep 2013
- Mexico: +17 days, from 15 Jul 2021 to 1 Aug 2021
- Philippines: +17 days, from 15 Jul 2021 to 1 Aug 2021
- Fourth (Certain Special Immigrants)
- All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed: +62 days, from 1 Jul 2020 to 1 Sep 2020
- China (mainland-born): +62 days, from 1 Jul 2020 to 1 Sep 2020
- India, Mexico, and the Philippines: +62 days, from 1 Jul 2020 to 1 Sep 2020
- Certain Religious Workers
- New date of 1 Sep 2020 added across all categories for the December bulletin.
- Fifth (Unreserved – C5, T5, I5, R5, NU, RU)
- China (mainland-born): +7 months, 7 days, from 8 Dec 2015 to 15 Jul 2016
- India: +5 months, from 1 Feb 2021 to 1 Jul 2021
No other employment-based Final Action Dates were announced.
Dates for Filing (DOF):
- Fifth (Unreserved – C5, T5, I5, R5)
- China (mainland-born): +21 days, from 1 Jul 2016 to 22 Jul 2016
Other employment-based filing dates remain unchanged.
USCIS Guidance
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reiterated on its website:
No Retrogressions Reported
The State Department confirmed that no categories experienced retrogression this month, signaling stability in visa number allocation and positive momentum for applicants awaiting green card processing.
What This Means for Applicants
The December 2025 bulletin represents a favorable development for both family- and employment-based applicants. With consistent forward movement and no setbacks, many individuals are now eligible to file applications or receive final approvals in the coming months.
