The U.S. Department of State has released the Visa Bulletin for June 2025. This bulletin contains important information for Indian workers who are waiting for a green card through employment. According to the bulletin, there has been no major change in the Final Action Dates, meaning the wait for Indian applicants is expected to remain long. A green card allows a person to live and work permanently in the United States. Here’s what the visa bulletin reveals.
How Many Indians Receive Green Cards Each Year?
Green cards are in high demand globally. As a result, India is one of the four countries affected by visa limits, along with China, Mexico, and the Philippines. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has set a cap on the number of green cards issued per country. Each country can only receive up to 7% of the total green cards allotted for family- and employment-based categories.
This means India gets only about 25,620 green cards annually. In the fiscal year 2025, the cap for family-based green cards is 226,000, and for employment-based green cards, it is at least 140,000.
How to Understand the Visa Bulletin?
For those waiting for a green card, understanding the visa bulletin is essential. It helps you know when your immigration status might change and when you can apply. The bulletin includes two main parts:
- Dates for Filing – This tells you when you can submit your application based on your visa category and country of origin.
- Final Action Dates – This indicates when your green card application can be approved. It’s like a waiting line showing when it’s your turn for processing.
Employment-Based Green Card Categories
Green cards based on employment are divided into several categories, depending on the skill level, profession, or investment. These categories are:
- Priority Workers (28.6%) – This includes individuals with extraordinary abilities in their field, professors, researchers, and executives of multinational companies.
- Advanced Degree Professionals or People with Exceptional Abilities (28.6%) – Applicants with higher academic qualifications and proven expertise fall into this category.
- Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers (28.6%) – Most Indian workers belong to this group, especially those in tech, finance, and other skilled fields.
- Special Immigrants (7.1%) – This includes religious workers, certain U.S. foreign service employees, and people who served in the U.S. military.
- Employment Creation (7.1%) – This is for investors who create jobs in the U.S. through their investments, with quotas set for rural and urban investment areas.
Also Read- H-1B Visa Registration 2026 Starts- Know Last Date, How to Apply, New Rules, Hiked Fee and More
Dates for Filing – Employment-Based Green Cards
As of the June 2025 bulletin, there have been no changes in the Dates for Filing across categories:
- Priority Workers: 15 April 2022
- Advanced Degree Professionals / Exceptional Ability: 1 February 2013
- Skilled Workers / Professionals / Other Workers: 8 June 2013
- Special Immigrants: Same as above
- Employment Creation: 1 May 2021
Final Action Dates – Employment-Based Green Cards
There are no changes in the Final Action Dates either:
- Priority Workers: 15 February 2022
- Advanced Degree Professionals / Exceptional Ability: 1 January 2013
- Skilled Workers / Professionals / Other Workers: 15 April 2013
- Special Immigrants: Same as above
- Employment Creation: 1 May 2019
Conclusion
For Indian workers, the green card wait remains long and largely unchanged. With limited slots and high demand, applicants must continue to monitor the visa bulletin carefully to track any future progress.