US Visa Bulletin for June 2025 Offers No Real Relief: The US Visa Bulletin for June 2025 has dropped, and for thousands of Indian green card applicants, it’s another gut punch. Many were hoping for a miracle—maybe a few months of forward movement in key employment-based categories like EB-2 and EB-3—but guess what? Nada. Zilch. The line hasn’t budged. That means more waiting, more frustration, and a whole lot of stress for Indian families across the United States.
Indian professionals, especially in booming sectors like technology, finance, medicine, and engineering, have been stuck in this game of immigration roulette for years now. The dream of finally receiving that green card—the golden ticket to permanent residency—keeps getting pushed further down the road. This article gives you the full picture of what the June 2025 bulletin says, how it affects Indian applicants, and what steps you can take to make progress despite the odds.
US Visa Bulletin for June 2025 Offers No Real Relief
| Category | June 2025 Final Action Date | Change from May 2025 | Wait Time Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 (Priority Workers) | Feb 15, 2022 | No Change | ~3 years |
| EB-2 (Advanced Degree Holders) | Jan 1, 2013 | No Change | ~12+ years |
| EB-3 (Skilled Workers/Professionals) | Apr 15, 2013 | No Change | ~11+ years |
| EB-5 (Investors, Unreserved) | May 1, 2019 | No Change | ~5+ years |
| F1 (Family, Unmarried Children) | Sept 1, 2017 | No Change | ~8 years |
| F4 (Siblings of U.S. Citizens) | Dec 1, 2006 | +2 months | ~18+ years |
The June 2025 Visa Bulletin feels like a broken record for Indian green card hopefuls. Despite meeting all the requirements, getting degrees, paying taxes, and working in critical industries, many immigrants are left waiting in a never-ending line.
Still, don’t give up. Understanding your options, exploring alternatives, and staying informed will help you navigate this mess. Change may come slowly—but it only comes when we push for it.
What Is the US Visa Bulletin and Why Should You Care?
If you’ve never heard of the Visa Bulletin, here’s the scoop. It’s a monthly update from the U.S. Department of State that tells immigrants when they can either apply for or receive their green cards. Think of it like a DMV appointment system—except you might be stuck in line for 15 years.
There are two important timelines in every bulletin:
- Final Action Date: This is when your green card application can actually be approved.
- Date for Filing: This is the earliest point when you can submit your application, even if you’ll still be waiting for a while.
For June 2025, USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) has directed applicants to use the Final Action Dates for employment-based categories. That means if your priority date isn’t before the listed date, you can’t move forward this month.
Why Indian Green Card Applicants Are Facing the Worst Delays
So why is this happening, and why is it so bad for Indian applicants? It all boils down to a decades-old rule: the 7% per-country cap. That rule limits green card approvals so that no more than 7% of total employment-based green cards can go to applicants from any single country each year.
That might have made sense in 1990, but it’s totally broken today. India sends more skilled professionals to the U.S. than any other country—especially in STEM fields. Here’s the ugly reality:
- More than 1 million Indian nationals are currently waiting in the green card line.
- India is only allowed around 9,800 employment-based green cards per category, per year.
- The result? People with approved petitions are stuck in a holding pattern for 10 to 20 years.
To make it worse, many of these applicants are already living in the U.S. on H-1B work visas. Their lives are in limbo—can’t switch jobs easily, can’t travel freely, can’t plan their futures.
June 2025 Employment-Based Breakdown for India
EB-1 (Priority Workers)
Cutoff Date: February 15, 2022
No change. This category includes multinational executives, researchers, and professors with international acclaim. While EB-1 sometimes moves faster, it’s hit a wall for India.
EB-2 (Advanced Degree Holders)
Cutoff Date: January 1, 2013
Still frozen. This is where most Indian engineers, scientists, and data analysts fall. USCIS hasn’t moved this date in months, and it’s a serious concern.
EB-3 (Skilled Workers/Professionals)
Cutoff Date: April 15, 2013
Another dead stop. Teachers, nurses, IT professionals—you name it—are stuck here with little hope unless major immigration reform happens.
EB-5 (Investors)
Cutoff Date: May 1, 2019
This program lets wealthy applicants invest a large sum (starting at $800,000) to earn a green card. It’s moving slowly but is far less clogged than EB-2 or EB-3.
Family-Based Categories: Static or Slow Creep
F1 (Unmarried Sons/Daughters of U.S. Citizens)
Cutoff Date: September 1, 2017
No movement. The backlog in family categories is also disheartening. Many families are split for years waiting on these slow-moving dates.
F4 (Siblings of U.S. Citizens)
Cutoff Date: December 1, 2006
This is the only category with forward movement this month—a small two-month jump. But even with that, the wait time is pushing 18+ years.
What Can You Do If You’re Stuck?
You might feel helpless, but there are strategies you can use to better position yourself:
1. File Form I-485 ASAP When Eligible
Even if your green card isn’t immediately available, early filing under “Date for Filing” can still get you:
- EAD (Employment Authorization Document) – a work permit.
- Advance Parole – permission to travel internationally without affecting your application.
These benefits can make your life a lot easier while you wait.
2. Upgrade to EB-1 If You Qualify
Got a PhD? Published research? Leading a team? If you meet the criteria, moving to EB-1 could slash years off your timeline. But don’t try this alone—consult an immigration attorney.
3. Track the Bulletin Like a Hawk
A small change in your category might mean your window is open. Keep tabs monthly so you’re ready to act.
4. Support Policy Change
Join advocacy groups like Immigration Voice, or write to your local Congress member. Removing the country cap or increasing visa quotas would drastically change the game.
5. Explore Backup Plans Abroad
Countries like Canada, Australia, and the UK are actively recruiting skilled immigrants. Their paths to permanent residency are faster, and many Indians are making the switch.
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FAQs About US Visa Bulletin for June 2025 Offers No Real Relief
Q1: What exactly is the 7% cap rule?
It’s a U.S. law that says no country can get more than 7% of the employment-based green cards issued annually. This disproportionately affects high-volume countries like India.
Q2: Why do EB-2 and EB-3 dates never move?
Because there are hundreds of thousands of people from India in the queue—and only a few thousand green cards available yearly.
Q3: Can you switch categories?
Yes, you can “port” your priority date from EB-3 to EB-2 or EB-1 if your situation qualifies. It’s complicated, but many have done it with help from attorneys.
Q4: What’s retrogression, and should I worry?
Retrogression means dates move backward. It happens when too many people file at once and the quota is maxed out. If you see retrogression in your category, prepare for delays.
Q5: Is EB-5 worth it?
If you’ve got the money and risk tolerance, EB-5 can be a shortcut. But it involves business risk, long processing times, and sometimes legal scrutiny.
