Green Card Update Reveals Gains For Applicants—Full List

The bulletin reveals forward movement across several family-sponsored and employment-based categories, allowing thousands of applicants to move closer to green card eligibility. 

The U.S. State Department’s monthly visa bulletin is a fundamental document helping green card applicants navigate the immigration system. It establishes when individuals can file necessary paperwork and, ultimately, when their applications may be approved.  

Progression in bulletin dates reduces wait times for many families and workers hoping to adjust their immigration status. Ongoing demand and limited quotas make each shift relevant for millions, as the speed of this process can determine years-long outcomes. 

What To Know 

The State Department bulletin publishes two reference charts each month:

• Final Action Dates (FAD): The earliest priority date at which a green card can be issued. 

• Dates for Filing (DOF): When applicants may submit adjustment or visa paperwork. 

If your priority date is before the DOF, you can submit your green card application. If it’s before the FAD, a visa is available, and your case can be approved. 

For December 2025, the bulletin showed consistent forward movement and no retrogressions across categories 

Family-Sponsored Visa Applications 

• FAD F1 (Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens) Mexico moved +3 months, and 7 days from 22 November 2005 to 01 March 2006  

• FAD F2B (Unmarried Sons/Daughters of Permanent Resident 21 years or older) Mexico moved +5 months from 15 December 2007 to 15 May 2008  

• FAD F2B (Unmarried Sons/Daughters of Permanent Resident 21 years or older) Philippines moved +7 days from 1 October 2012 to 8 October 2012  

• FAD F2B Unmarried Sons/Daughters of Permanent Resident 21 years or older) Mexico moved +5 months from 15 December 2007 to 15 May 2008  

• FAD F3 (Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens) Philippines moved +40 days from 22 September 2004 to 01 November 2004  

• FAD F4 (Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens) Philippines moved +3 months, 23 days from 22 March 2006 to 15 July 2006  

All other Family Final Action categories are unchanged  

• DOF F2A (Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents) All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed moved +1 month from 22 October 2025 to 22 November 2025  

• DOF F2A (Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents) China-mainland born moved +1 month from 22 October 2025 to 22 November 2025  

• DOF F2A (Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents) India moved +1 month from 22 October 2025 to 22 November 2025  

• DOF F2A (Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents) Mexico moved +1 month from 22 October 2025 to 22 November 2025  

• DOF F2A (Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents) Philippines moved +1 month from 22 October 2025 to 22 November 2025  

No other Family Filing changes 

Employment-Based Visa Applications  

• FAD First (Priority Workers) China mainland-born moved +1 month from 22 December 2022 to 22 January 2023  

• FAD First (Priority Workers) India moved +1 month from 15 February 2022 to 15 March 2022  

• FAD Second (Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability) All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed moved +2 months from 01 December 2023 to 01 February 2024  

• FAD Second (Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability) China mainland-born moved +2 months from 01 April 2021 to 01 June 2021  

• FAD Second (Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability) India moved +44 days from 01 April 2013 to 15 May 2013 

• FAD Second (Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability) Mexico moved +2 months from 01 December  2023 to 01 February 2024  

• FAD Second (Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability) Philippines moved +2 months from 01 December 2023 to 01 February 2024  

• FAD Third (Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers) All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed moved +14 days from 01 April 2023 to 15 April 2023  

• FAD Third (Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers) China mainland-born +1 month from 01 March 2021 to 01 April 2021  

• FAD Third (Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers) India moved +1 month from 22 August 2013 to 22 September 2013 

• FAD Third (Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers) Mexico moved +14 days from 01 April 2023 to 15 April 2023  

• FAD Third (Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers) Philippines moved +14 days from 01 April 2023 to 15 April 2023  

• FAD Other workers All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed moved +17 days from 15 July 2021 to 01 August 2021 

• FAD Other workers, China-mainland born, moved +7 days from 01 December 2017 to 09 December 2017  

• FAD Other workers India moved +1 month 22 August 2013 to 22 September 2013 

• FAD Other workers Mexico moved +17 days from 15 July 2021 to 01 August 2021  

• FAD Other workers Philippines moved +17 days from 15 July 2021 to 01 August 2021  

• FAD Fourth (Certain Special Immigrants) All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed moved +62 days from 01 July 2020 to 01 September 2020  

• FAD Fourth (Certain Special Immigrants) China-mainland born moved +62 days from 01 July 2020 to 01 September 2020  

• FAD Fourth (Certain Special Immigrants) India, Mexico, and the Philippines all moved +62 days from 01 July 2020 to 01 September 2020  

• FAD Certain Religious Workers, New date of 01 September 2020 added across all categories for the December bulletin  

• FAD Fifth Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5, NU, RU) China-mainland born moved +7 months, and 7 days from 08 December 2015 to 15 July 2016  

• FAD Fifth Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5, NU, RU) India moved +5 months from 01 February 2021 to 01 July 2021 

No other Employment-Based Final Action dates   

• DOF Fifth Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5) China-mainland born moved +21 days from 01 July 2016 to 22 July 2016  
• For the full tables and instructions, applicants should review the complete bulletin on the State Department website.