The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs published its latest Visa Bulletin on Tuesday, detailing the status of family-based green card applications. The bulletin indicates that priority dates for filing green card applications within the United States have remained unchanged across all family-based categories.
This lack of progress has further prolonged the waiting periods for individuals seeking to adjust their status to permanent residency from within the U.S., exacerbating the backlog for many applicants.
For spouses and unmarried children under 21 of green card holders residing in the U.S., the priority date for filing Form I-485 (green card application) continues to be February 1, 2025, consistent from May to June. This means only those who submitted their I-130 petition before February 1, 2025, are eligible to file for a green card in June.
Similarly, I-485 filing dates for other family-based categories have seen no movement. For unmarried children over 21 of U.S. citizens, the priority date remains September 1, 2017; for married children of U.S. citizens, it is July 22, 2012; and for unmarried children over 21 of green card holders, it stays at January 1, 2017. For siblings of U.S. citizens, the priority date for filing remains June 1, 2008, restricting eligibility to those with petitions filed before this date.
In contrast, individuals outside the U.S. have seen slight advancements in priority dates (final action dates) for visa interviews or obtaining immigrant visas. For unmarried children over 21 of U.S. citizens living abroad, the priority date for securing a green card or immigrant visa has moved forward to September 1, 2017, a notable improvement from March 15, 2016, in May.
Similarly, for married children of U.S. citizens abroad, the priority date has advanced to July 22, 2012, from April 1, 2011. Unmarried children over 21 of green card holders abroad also saw a modest progression, with the priority date now set at September 22, 2016, for June.
However, certain categories for applicants abroad have experienced no changes. The priority date for siblings of U.S. citizens remains fixed at January 1, 2008, and for spouses and unmarried children under 21 of green card holders, it continues to be January 1, 2022.
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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.
