The State of Employment-Based Visa Categories for Indian Candidates in the October 2025 Visa Bulletin
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The October 2025 Visa Bulletin brings both relief and reminders for Indian aspirants. The general overview of the bulletin is somewhat like this: some categories have moved ahead, others are still delayed, and EB-1A applicants remain in a holding pattern. In this blog, we break down what Indian applicants need to know, specifically with respect to the EB1A visa bulletin. Along with it, we added a little Encore on how you can prepare better with the tailored assistance of an EB-1A green card consultancy.
What’s new for India in the October 2025 visa bulletin
According to the official Visa Bulletin for October 2025:
- EB-1 (Priority Workers) for India is unchanged in the Final Action Dates chart: the cutoff remains February 15, 2022.
- The EB-2 (Advanced Degree / Exceptional Ability) and EB-3 categories for India see three-month forward movement in their Final Action Dates. EB-2 advances to April 1, 2013, EB-3 Professionals & Skilled Workers to August 22, 2013.
- “Dates for Filing” for these categories show more significant gains. For example, EB-1 “Dates for Filing” for India jumped by about 12 months compared to previous charts.
These movements are positive. For many Indian applicants in the EB-2 or EB-3 queue, every forward motion means inching closer to becoming eligible for adjustment of status or immigrant visa availability.
EB-1A applicants are still waiting
If you hold or are seeking an EB-1A extraordinary ability petition, October 2025 doesn’t bring major breakthroughs:
- EB-1A (under the EB-1 umbrella) remains backlogged for India. The priority date in the Final Action Date chart remains at February 15, 2022, in the EB-1A bulletin. There is no forward movement in the EB-1 India Final Action Date for October.
- However, the Dates for Filing chart shows more optimism: EB-1 "Dates for Filing" for India moved ahead. This progress can provide some applicants with earlier opportunities to submit an adjustment of status paperwork.
So while EB-1A Indian applicants still face the backlog, the filing window shift (if applicable) offers a glimmer of progress.
Why the bulletin matters: backlogs, priority dates, and EB-1A green card consultancy
Indian candidates often see long delays in employment-based visa categories, especially in EB-1A. Because per-country caps and high demand push priority dates backward or make them static for long periods. This is precisely why it is essential to work with a specialized EB-1A green card consultancy that understands how to leverage every nuance:
- Knowing when USCIS allows use of the “Dates for Filing” chart vs. “Final Action Dates” can accelerate when you submit critical paperwork.
- Building documentation that meets EB-1A criteria (extraordinary ability, media coverage, memberships, awards, etc.) so when your priority date becomes current, your petition is fully ready.
- Monitoring monthly Visa Bulletin changes carefully: sometimes, even a small movement could presage bigger shifts.
What Indian applicants should do now
- Check your priority date vs. EB-1A bulletin: If your priority date is earlier than February 15, 2022, and USCIS allows you to file under the “Dates for Filing” chart, you can consider preparing your I-485 (adjustment of status) package.
- Ensure document readiness: For EB-1A, awards, publications, judging opportunities, leadership roles, and remuneration, all the pieces must be strong and compelling.
- Stay informed via EB-1A green card consultancy: Reliable experts can alert you to changes in the Visa Bulletin. They can guide filing strategies and help avoid common pitfalls.
Outlook: what to expect going forward
Based on movement observed so far, the outlook for Indian applicants in EB-2 and EB-3 is cautiously optimistic: consistent forward momentum suggests incremental improvements. For EB-1A, any change is likely to be slower. Any window for major shifts in the bulletin will depend on:
- The rate at which USCIS finishes processing cases,
- Whether unused visa numbers (from other categories or countries) can shift toward India,
- And whether legislation or policy updates change per-country limits or reallocate visa numbers.
The October 2025 Visa Bulletin shows that while EB-1A (“EB1A visa bulletin”) remains static in priority date for India, there are signs of forward movement in filing windows and for other employment-based categories. For those on the EB-1A path, working with a strong EB-1A green card consultancy strategy is more critical than ever. It is time to take a step back and prepare, because when opportunity knocks, you want to be ready.