The Department of State has just issued the September 2025 Visa Bulletin. This blog post analyzes this month's Visa Bulletin.
Visa Bulletin
Table A: Final Action Dates -- Applications with these dates may be approved for their Green Card (Permanent Residency card) or Immigrant Visa appointment:
Table B: Adjustment of Status Filing Chart
USCIS will continue to use the Table A Final Action chart for I-485 employment-based filings in September 2025. See: USCIS Visa Bulletin Dates
MU Law Analysis
There was no movement forward for any employment-based category, and as of August 18, 2025, no category has retrogressed.
The Visa Bulletin notes that there has been a steady increase in visa demand throughout the fiscal year. If, at any time before September 30, 2025, the annual limit of any category is reached, the Department of State will immediately make the preference category “unavailable”, and no further requests for visas will be honored.
End of Fiscal Year FAQ
Q. Why do visa categories often retrogress in September?
A. The Department of State has a limited number of immigrant visas it may issue each fiscal year, which runs from October 1 – September 30. The Department of State must avoid issuing excess immigrant visa numbers before the end of the fiscal year or else it violates federal law.
The issuance totals in some categories are approaching the annual limit for FY-2025, which could require the Visa Bulletin’s retrogression in order to slow down issuance rates.
Q. Does this mean that certain categories will permanently be retrogressed?
A. No. This would be a temporary retrogression in effect for the remainder of the fiscal year (i.e. until September 30, 2025). The Department of State generally advances final action dates in October each year, when the new fiscal year begins.
Q. If I have an interview, but my priority date retrogresses in September, will I still be able to get my green card?
A. If you have an interview before your category retrogresses, you will be able to get your green card. However, if the Department of State updates your category to “unavailable” prior to your interview date, the interview may be postponed until your priority date becomes current again, which could be as early as October 1, 2025.
If you have questions on this month’s Visa Bulletin, please reach out to your MU attorney directly or Contact Us.
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