The December 2025 Visa Bulletin: What You Need to Know
The U.S. State Department has released its December 2025 visa bulletin, a vital tool for immigrants seeking lawful permanent residency. This bulletin outlines critical shifts in priority dates across many visa categories, promising a clearer path for applicants aiming to secure their green cards.
Understanding the Importance of the Visa Bulletin
The monthly visa bulletin is crucial for immigrants, as it establishes when individuals can submit necessary applications for green card eligibility. Each movement in these dates can significantly impact the wait times for families and workers adjusting their immigration status. With ongoing demand and limited quotas, the details in this bulletin are more than just numbers; they represent years of hope, waiting, and planning.
Key Changes in December 2025
- Family-Sponsored Visa Applications:
- FAD F1 (Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens) Mexico: Moved forward 3 months, now eligible from November 22, 2005, to March 1, 2006.
- FAD F2B (Unmarried Sons/Daughters of Permanent Residents over 21) Mexico: Moved forward 5 months from December 15, 2007, to May 15, 2008.
- FAD F3 (Married Sons/Daughters of U.S. Citizens) Philippines: Moved forward 40 days from September 22, 2004, to November 1, 2004.
- FAD F4 (Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens) Philippines: Moved forward 3 months, now eligible from March 22, 2006, to July 15, 2006.
- Employment-Based Visa Applications:
- FAD First (Priority Workers) China-mainland born: Moved forward 1 month from December 22, 2022, to January 22, 2023.
- FAD Second (Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees) All Chargeability areas: Moved forward 2 months from December 1, 2023, to February 1, 2024.
- FAD Third (Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers) All Chargeability areas: Moved forward 14 days from April 1, 2023, to April 15, 2023.
How to Interpret the Changes
If your priority date falls before the "Dates for Filing" (DOF), you may proceed to submit your green card application. If it's before the "Final Action Dates" (FAD), you're in a position for potential approval.
The December bulletin is notable for its consistent forward movement without retrogressions across categories. This trend should offer some reassurance to applicants who have faced long wait times.
What Lies Ahead for 2026
The outlook for the next bulletin, anticipated in January 2026, remains uncertain. Experts recommend that eligible applicants prepare documentation in advance and continue monitoring official updates closely. The government underscores that all eligibility is subject to annual worldwide visa caps and per-country limits established under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Conclusion: Implications for Immigrants
As we dissect these updates, it becomes clear that the stakes are high for aspiring permanent residents. The December 2025 visa bulletin isn't merely a schedule; it is a lifeline for countless families monitoring their paths toward stability and security in the United States. As always, navigating immigration processes should be undertaken with vigilance, preparation, and an understanding of the currents that guide them.
For more details, I urge applicants to read the complete bulletin on the State Department website.
Source reference: https://www.newsweek.com/green-card-update-applicants-full-list-changes-11053644
