September 2025 US Visa Bulletin: US may halt most work visas, keep family visas for Green Card holders open

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While most employment-based (EB) Green Card categories for Indians face stagnation and possible closure before the end of September, there is one area of relief for families. The September 2025 US Visa Bulletin brings positive news for Indian Green Card holders under the F2A category, which allows lawful permanent residents to sponsor spouses and unmarried children under 21. This category remains open for filings in the final month of the fiscal year, even as EB categories edge toward their annual caps.

According to the bulletin issued by the US Department of State, EB categories – particularly EB-2 and EB-3 for Indian applicants – are nearing their limits, raising the risk of freezes or retrogressions before September ends.

In contrast, the F2A category has advanced by two months, with the filing date moving from April 1, 2025, to June 1, 2025. This means Indian Green Card holders can continue submitting applications for their spouses and minor children through June 1, 2025, for all countries in the September bulletin.

While applicants can file their adjustment of status forms immediately, approvals will only happen once the Final Action Date – currently set at September 1, 2022 – becomes current and visa numbers are available.

For FY2025, the total family-based Green Card allocation is 2,26,000, compared to 1,50,037 for employment-based categories. Per-country limits cap each nation at about 26,323 visas, with dependent territories restricted to 2%. India remains in the high-demand bracket alongside China, Mexico, and the Philippines.

Diversity Visa applicants face September 30 deadline

The bulletin also urges Diversity Visa (DV)-2025 selectees to act before their eligibility expires on September 30, warning that visa numbers could run out sooner.

Morgan Bailey, a partner at Mayer Brown and former senior official at the Department of Homeland Security, told Newsweek: "For the DV lottery, anyone who was part of that group really needs to submit their paperwork, attend the interview and obtain the visa before September 30th or they won't be eligible after October 1."

She added: "There is the benefit of knowing that on October 1, the new fiscal year will begin. And so fiscal year 2026 will have a new set of allocations. And so we will likely see significant movement in October, opening up options for employment, as well as for family."

The monthly visa bulletin remains a critical guide for immigrants, outlining when priority dates become current and determining when applicants can move forward in their Green Card process.