The November Visa Bulletin: A Standstill for India’s Employment-Based Categories

Irving, Texas, 16/10/2025

The U.S. Department of State’s November Visa Bulletin brings little movement for Indian nationals awaiting employment-based green card approvals. This bulletin marks another month of stagnation in the EB-1A bulletin and related categories. For many professionals tackling the EB-1A backlog, this update offers little space for hope or celebration.

According to the bulletin, the EB-1 category, which is reserved for individuals of extraordinary ability, outstanding professors, and multinational executives, holds its Final Action Date at February 15, 2022, while the Date for Filing remains May 15, 2023. This static status reflects the ongoing demand of the EB-1 category across global applicants.

The EB-2 category (for advanced degree professionals) remains at a Final Action Date of April 1, 2013, and a Date for Filing of December 1, 2021. The EB-3 and EB-3 Other Workers categories also remain frozen at August 22, 2013, i.e., showing no advancement for Indian applicants since early fall. Even the EB-5 Investor Visa holds steady at a Final Action Date of February 1, 2021, and a Date for Filing of April 1, 2022.

This continued stagnation reflects a system under immense quota and per-country cap pressure. Without significant spillover visas or policy adjustments, movement in India’s employment-based green card categories is unlikely in the near term.

For Indian professionals exploring pathways through the EB-1A visa, strategic preparation remains non-negotiable, notwithstanding the EB-1A backlog. GCEB1 advises applicants to use this static period to strengthen their case portfolios and prepare for future movement.