Foreign workers employed in the United States can eventually become permanent residents through the Green Card system. However, the waiting time to receive a Green Card is significantly long. Applicants are divided into different employment-based categories, and the wait time varies for each group. The U.S. Department of State has released the Visa Bulletin for August 2025, which outlines the Green Card waiting times for every category.
Final Action Dates to Be Used for Employment-Based Green Card Applicants
According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), employment-based visa applicants must refer to the Final Action Dates to determine their eligibility for filing. The Visa Bulletin includes two key timelines:
- Dates for Filing – the earliest dates when applicants may submit their documents.
- Final Action Dates – the dates when Green Card applications can actually be approved and the cards issued.
What’s the Green Card Waiting Time for Indians?
Among Indian nationals, only the EB-3 category has shown any movement this month. Its Final Action Date has advanced by one month to May 22, 2013, while the Date for Filing remains unchanged at June 8, 2013.
Most Indian professionals working in sectors like tech, healthcare, and finance fall under the EB-3 category, and they typically enter the U.S. on H-1B work visas.
There has been no movement in the EB-1 and EB-2 categories:
- EB-1 Final Action Date: February 15, 2022
- EB-2 Final Action Date: January 1, 2013
- EB-1 Date for Filing: April 15, 2022
- EB-2 Date for Filing: February 1, 2013
Also Read: This Country Announces Visa-Free Entry for Indians – Travel Freely Without a Visa
Who Falls Under These Categories?
- EB-1: Individuals with extraordinary ability in their field, researchers, professors, multinational executives, and CEOs.
- EB-2: Professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability in their field, such as senior officers, tech professionals, and specialist surgeons.
- EB-3: Skilled workers, professionals, and other workers, including many from the Indian IT and healthcare sectors.
Most Indian applicants fall under one of these three employment-based categories and face long wait times due to high demand and limited annual quotas.