John Burson  edited Wednesday, January 15, 2025

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Visa Bulletin for January 2025: Key Updates and Analysis

U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin for January 2025, Highlights Final Action Dates and Filing Dates and EB-5 Visa updates

The US Visa Bulletin for January 2025 has been released, bringing important updates for individuals looking to immigrate to the United States through various visa categories, including the highly sought-after EB-5 Investor Visa Program. This visa offers a unique opportunity for foreign investors and their families to obtain U.S. green cards in exchange for investment in U.S. businesses that create jobs. If you are considering applying for an EB-5 visa, staying updated on the Visa Bulletin’s key changes is crucial to making informed decisions about your immigration process.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into the most important updates for the EB-5 Investor Visa Program and what they mean for applicants in 2025. We’ll also explore the broader implications for U.S. immigration and highlight resources that can help guide you through the process.

US Visa Bulletin for January 2025: Comprehensive Overview

The January 2025 US Visa Bulletin, released by the Department of State, provides crucial updates for various immigrant visa categories, including family-sponsored preferences, employment-based preferences, and the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program. This bulletin is essential for applicants to understand their standing and prepare for the next steps in their visa application process.

Family-Sponsored Preferences

The bulletin outlines the "Final Action Dates" and "Dates for Filing Applications" for family-sponsored preference cases. Here’s a summary of these categories:

Table 1: Final Action Dates for Family-Sponsored Preference Cases

Category	All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed	China-mainland born	India	Mexico	Philippines
F1	22NOV15	22NOV15	22NOV15	22NOV04	08MAR12
F2A	01JAN22	01JAN22	01JAN22	15MAY21	01JAN22
F2B	22MAY16	22MAY16	22MAY16	01JUL05	22OCT11
F3	01JUL10	01JUL10	01JUL10	22NOV00	08NOV02
F4	01AUG07	01AUG07	08APR06	01MAR01	01MAY04

Table 2: Dates for Filing Family-Sponsored Visa Applications

Category	All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed	China-mainland born	India	Mexico	Philippines
F1	01SEP17	01SEP17	01SEP17	01OCT05	22APR15
F2A	15JUL24	15JUL24	15JUL24	15JUL24	15JUL24
F2B	01JAN17	01JAN17	01JAN17	01OCT06	01OCT13
F3	22JUL12	22JUL12	22JUL12	15JUN01	08MAY04
F4	01MAR08	01MAR08	15AUG06	30APR01	01JAN08

Employment-Based Preferences

The employment-based categories are detailed with final action dates indicating when applicants from oversubscribed countries may proceed with their applications.

Table 3: Final Action Dates for Employment-Based Preference Cases

Preference	All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed	China-mainland born	India	Mexico	Philippines
1st	C	08NOV22	01FEB22	C	C
2nd	01APR23	22APR20	01OCT12	01APR23	01APR23
3rd	01DEC22	01JUN20	01DEC12	01DEC22	01DEC22
Other Workers	08DEC20	01JAN17	01DEC12	08DEC20	08DEC20
4th	01JAN21	01JAN21	01JAN21	01JAN21	01JAN21
5th (Unreserved)	C	15JUL16	01JAN22	C	C

Diversity Immigrant (DV) Category

For January 2025, the DV category offers up to 55,000 visas. However, this number is adjusted to approximately 52,000 due to statutory changes. Visas are distributed among six geographic regions with a cap that no single country can exceed seven percent of the available Diversity Visas.

Table 4: Diversity Visa Availability

Region	Limit	Specific Limits for Countries
Africa	22,500	Algeria, Egypt, Morocco: 22,000 each
Asia	5,500	Iran: 5,400; Nepal: 3,500
Europe	12,000	Russia: 11,750; Uzbekistan: 7,750
North America	20	Bahamas only
Oceania	1,100	-
South America, and the Caribbean	1,750	-

Additional Information

• EB-5 Set-Aside Categories: Updates indicate increased approvals and processing in categories set aside for rural areas, high unemployment areas, and infrastructure projects.
• Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs): The NDAA for Fiscal Year 2024 may impact U.S. government employees abroad applying for SIVs.

For detailed instructions and the latest updates, applicants are encouraged to visit the USCIS official website or consult with their immigration attorney to ensure compliance and timely processing of their applications.

EB-5 Visa Updates in the US Visa Bulletin for January 2025

The January 2025 Visa Bulletin has several key updates that directly affect EB-5 applicants. Let’s take a closer look at these changes and what they mean for investors.

1. Availability of EB-5 Visa Numbers: Current for Most Countries

One of the most significant changes in the January 2025 Visa Bulletin is the availability of EB-5 visa numbers. For most countries, the Final Action Dates for the EB-5 program are listed as current (C). This means that there are no waiting periods for applicants in these countries. Investors from countries with current EB-5 dates can proceed with their green card applications without delay.

The availability of current EB-5 numbers allows applicants to move forward in the immigration process and receive their green cards faster, making this an ideal time to apply for the EB-5 Visa.

2. EB-5 Set-Aside Categories: Rural, High-Unemployment, and Infrastructure Investments

The EB-5 program includes several set-aside categories that allocate a portion of the visas to specific types of investments, aimed at stimulating growth in particular sectors of the U.S. economy. These set-aside categories are for:

• Rural Areas (20% of EB-5 visas): These visas are for investments that are directed toward businesses in rural U.S. areas.
• High-Unemployment Areas (10% of EB-5 visas): These visas are for investments in regions with high unemployment rates.
• Infrastructure Projects (2% of EB-5 visas): Reserved for investments in infrastructure projects such as energy, utilities, and transportation.

For January 2025, the set-aside categories remain current (C), meaning that investors looking to invest in these areas are eligible to apply for EB-5 visas without any waiting period. This is great news for those looking to make investments in sectors that can benefit from these specific allocations.

3. Monitoring Increased Approvals for EB-5 I-526E Petitions

The I-526E petition, used by EB-5 investors to apply for permanent residency, has seen a significant increase in approvals. This growth in approvals indicates that more investors are moving through the EB-5 process and getting closer to receiving their green cards. The USCIS and Department of State are closely monitoring this trend to ensure that visa issuances do not exceed annual limits.

The high number of approved I-526E petitions highlights the growing popularity of the EB-5 program, but it also signals the importance of applying as early as possible to avoid delays. Investors should work with experienced immigration professionals to navigate the application process effectively.

4. The EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022

In March 2022, the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 was passed, making significant updates to the program. Among these changes, the act reauthorized regional center-based EB-5 investments, which allow investors to pool their capital with others to invest in large-scale projects like real estate developments, infrastructure projects, and more.

This reform is critical for the program’s future, as it expands the pool of potential investment opportunities for applicants. Investors who wish to participate in regional center investments should ensure that their chosen project is fully compliant with the new regulations.

How the EB-5 Program Can Benefit Investors

The EB-5 Investor Visa Program offers several compelling benefits for investors and their families:

• Permanent Residency: Successful applicants receive a U.S. green card, allowing them to live, work, and travel freely in the U.S.
• Family Inclusion: The investor’s spouse and children under 21 can also receive green cards and benefit from U.S. residency.
• Access to the U.S. Market: The ability to invest in and operate businesses in one of the world’s largest economies.
• Path to Citizenship: After holding a green card for 5 years, EB-5 investors can apply for U.S. citizenship.

What Does the January 2025 Visa Bulletin Mean for You?

For EB-5 applicants, the Visa Bulletin January 2025 offers a favorable environment to apply for permanent residency through investment in the United States. With current visa numbers and open set-aside categories, this is an excellent time to pursue the EB-5 visa. However, it is essential to act quickly as these conditions may change, and demand for EB-5 visas continues to grow.

To maximize your chances of success, ensure you:

• Choose a compliant investment that aligns with the requirements of the EB-5 program.
• Work with experienced EB-5 consultants and immigration attorneys to navigate the complex application process.
• Stay informed about visa availability and updates to the Visa Bulletin.

Helpful Resources for EB-5 Visa Applicants

Here are some valuable resources to help guide you through the EB-5 visa application process:

• USCIS EB-5 Investor Visa Information: USCIS EB-5 Program
• Department of State Visa Bulletin: Visa Bulletin January 2025
• EB-5 Investment Resources: IIUSA – EB-5 Investor Resources