Summary
The U.S. State Department released the December 2025 visa bulletin that updates the status of applications for green cards. The bulletin shows progress across several categories, helping many applicants move closer to getting permanent residency. This update impacts family-sponsored and employment-based visa categories.
Key Facts
- The U.S. State Department's visa bulletin is essential for people applying for green cards, showing when they can file paperwork or when their applications might be approved.
- The bulletin includes two charts: Final Action Dates (FAD), which indicate when a green card can be issued, and Dates for Filing (DOF), which let applicants know when they can submit their paperwork.
- For December 2025, the bulletin reports forward movement in several visa categories for both family and employment-based applications, with no backward steps.
- Family-sponsored categories like F1 and F2B for Mexico, and F3 and F4 for the Philippines, saw movements in the eligibility dates.
- Employment-based categories, including Priority Workers and those with advanced degrees from countries like China and India, showed progress in the wait times.
- The bulletin's updates decrease waiting periods, allowing applicants to advance towards residency faster.
- These updates are significant due to high demand and strict limits on visa numbers available each year.
