The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs released its latest Visa Bulletin on Friday, outlining notable advancements in priority dates for certain family-based green card categories, effective May 2025. The bulletin highlights progress for green card holders’ spouses and children under 21 residing in the U.S., as well as for U.S. citizens’ siblings, while other categories remain unchanged.
For green card holders’ spouses and children under 21 living in the U.S., the priority date for filing an I-485 adjustment of status application has advanced significantly. In April 2025, those who filed an I-130 petition before October 15, 2024, are eligible to submit their green card applications. For May 2025, this date has moved forward by approximately three and a half months, allowing those with I-130 petitions filed before February 1, 2025, to file their I-485 applications.
Once the I-485 is filed, applicants typically face fewer concerns about maintaining legal status. They can also obtain work authorization, a Social Security number, and a travel document, enabling them to work and travel abroad while their application is pending. However, immigration attorneys often advise maintaining lawful status until the green card is approved to avoid complications.
Applicants already in the U.S. who wish to file Form I-485 (adjustment of status) should refer to the Dates for Filing chart. Those applying from abroad must follow the Final Action Dates chart to determine eligibility for immigrant visa interviews and visa issuance through U.S. embassies or consulates.
Despite the progress for U.S.-based applicants, there has been no movement in priority dates for green card holders’ spouses and children under 21 seeking immigrant visas through U.S. embassies abroad. Only those with priority dates before January 1, 2022, will be eligible for visa interviews or immigrant visas in May 2025. This stagnation extends the wait time for those pursuing green cards from outside the U.S., increasing delays compared to April.
For those who file I-485 applications in the U.S., processing times remain lengthy. According to recent data, family-based green card approvals for U.S.-based applicants take approximately nine and a half months in the current fiscal year. This marks an increase from the previous fiscal year, when the average processing time was around nine months.
Priority dates for U.S. citizens’ unmarried children over 21 living abroad remain unchanged. For May 2025, only those with priority dates before March 15, 2016, are eligible for green cards or immigrant visas, consistent with April’s bulletin. Similarly, for married children of U.S. citizens abroad, the priority date remains April 1, 2011, showing no advancement.
For green card holders’ unmarried children over 21, the priority date for obtaining green cards or immigrant visas also remains unchanged at July 22, 2016, for May 2025, identical to April’s bulletin.
A significant update applies to U.S. citizens’ siblings. For those seeking immigrant visas abroad, the priority date has advanced by five months, from August 1, 2007, in April to January 1, 2008, in May 2025. For siblings residing in the U.S., the priority date for filing I-485 applications has moved forward by two months, allowing those with priority dates before June 1, 2008, to apply in May.
No changes have been reported for other family-based categories in the U.S. For May 2025, the priority date for U.S. citizens’ unmarried children over 21 remains September 1, 2017. Similarly, the priority date for U.S. citizens’ married children continues to be July 22, 2012, and for green card holders’ unmarried children over 21, it remains January 1, 2017.
These dates generally apply to all countries except China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines, due to country-specific visa quotas.
The advancements in priority dates bring relief to many families, particularly those in the U.S. who can now file green card applications sooner. However, the lack of progress for consular processing and certain categories underscores the ongoing challenges in the family-based immigration system. Applicants are encouraged to consult with immigration professionals to navigate these complexities and ensure compliance with all requirements.
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Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
