The Employment-Based Visa Categories in the September 2025 Bulletin

The September 2025 Visa Bulletin, issued by the U.S. Department of State, is the final checkpoint before the U.S. immigration system resets for a new fiscal year in October. For thousands of professionals across the globe, and especially Indian-origin applicants, this bulletin decides whether the journey to permanent residency moves ahead or stays in waiting mode for months more.

For those targeting the EB-1A Green Card, the extraordinary ability category, this bulletin holds crucial significance.

A quick refresher: what is the Visa Bulletin?

The Visa Bulletin tells you which green card applications are eligible to move forward based on priority dates, i.e., the date your immigration petition was filed. If your priority date is earlier than the Final Action Date for your category and country, your green card stands the chance of entering the approval process.

September 2025 highlights: Final action dates

EB-1 (Priority Workers) – India: February 15, 2022

For India, the EB-1 category, meant for priority workers such as individuals with extraordinary ability, outstanding professors/researchers, and multinational executives, remains at February 15, 2022. This means only those with a priority date earlier than this can move forward with green card approval. While EB-1 has historically been the fastest employment-based category, India continues to see a backlog due to high demand.

EB-2 (Advanced Degree/Exceptional Ability) – India: January 1, 2013

The EB-2 date for India stays at January 1, 2013, highlighting one of the longest waits in the employment-based system. This category is for professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability in their fields. The unchanged date reflects persistent demand from highly skilled Indian professionals, many of whom have been in the queue for over a decade.

EB-3 (Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers) – India: May 22, 2013

For EB-3 India, the final action date remains at May 22, 2013. This category, which covers skilled workers, professionals, and certain other workers, is also heavily oversubscribed for Indian applicants. Despite occasional movement in past bulletins, this month shows no advancement, continuing the long backlog.

EB-5 (Unreserved Investor Category) – India: November 15, 2019

In the EB-5 investor visa category (unreserved), India’s date holds at November 15, 2019. This is a relatively short backlog compared to EB-2 and EB-3, and reflects moderate demand. EB-5 allows investors to obtain a green card by making a qualifying investment in the U.S. economy.

EB-5 Set-Aside Subcategories (Rural, High Unemployment, Infrastructure) – Current

For Indian applicants in the EB-5 set-aside categories—rural projects, high-unemployment areas, or infrastructure—the date is Current, meaning there is no backlog. Applicants meeting these criteria can proceed without the wait faced in other categories.

Why this month feels like a pause

Compared to August, there is no forward movement in the employment-based categories. That means demand has caught up to annual visa limits, and in some cases, the State Department has warned certain categories could even become unavailable before September ends.

For Indian EB-1A applicants, this static February 15, 2022 date means that only those with older priority dates can finalize this month, but that is no reason to be discouraged. October could reset the clock with new visa numbers.

The EB-1A outlook for Indian professionals

EB-1A is particularly attractive to Indian-origin professionals because:

• No job offer is required
• No labor certification is needed
• It offers a much shorter wait than the EB-2 or EB-3 categories

But “extraordinary ability” is a high threshold. USCIS expects strong evidence in at least three of the ten eligibility criteria, such as major awards, published work, original contributions, or significant media coverage. This is where many applicants underestimate the preparation needed.

Why an EB-1A Green Card Consultancy can make a difference

A Visa Bulletin tells you where you stand, but not how to move forward. That is precisely where we may have something to say. Want to know what a consultant can do?

A consultant brings strategic clarity by:

• Assessing whether you already meet EB-1A standards
• Identifying the strongest evidence you can present
• Guiding you on building missing credentials
• Crafting a timeline that aligns with your country’s cut-off dates

For Indian applicants, who face intense competition and a 2022 priority date cut-off, this level of planning can be a game-changer.

EB-1A Visa Mentorship can put you on the right path

A mentorship program can help you solidify your petition in the following ways:

• Helping you articulate your career story with maximum impact
• Anticipating USCIS queries before they arise
• Keeping your documentation process organized and efficient
• Advising on when to opt for premium processing or concurrent filings

Together, these services can transform your EB-1A application from “technically complete” to compelling and approval-ready.

For Indian applicants on H-1B: The alternative you need

Many skilled Indian professionals in the U.S. feel stuck in the H-1B cycle, with EB-2 and EB-3 backlogs stretching decades. EB-1A offers a faster and more direct path if you can showcase your extraordinary ability effectively.

With the current February 15, 2022 cut-off, the goal should be to have your petition ready so you can file the moment your date becomes current in the new fiscal year.

How to act before the year ends

1. Check your priority date against the September bulletin.
2. If you’re eligible now, file immediately to avoid losing your spot before the month closes.
3. If you’re not eligible yet, start preparation now with an EB-1A Green Card Consultancy.
4. Use professional mentorship to refine your profile and evidence.

The September 2025 Visa Bulletin ends the fiscal year without date movement, but the opportunity remains for those ready to act. For Indian EB-1A applicants, it is a moment to either file now or prepare with precision for October.

The difference between an average petition and a winning one often comes down to expert guidance. The right EB-1A Green Card Consultancy can craft a petition that meets every USCIS standard and ensures you present yourself as the extraordinary professional you truly are.

At GCEB1, we mentor talented professionals to become EB-1A ready in the right way. We are always available to discuss with you how we can help you better.