Steps to be Followed by Indian Green Card Seekers in the January 2025 US Visa Bulletin to Guarantee Success
A wave of optimism has been brought for Indian green card seekers by the January 2025 US Visa Bulletin, with significant advancements in priority dates. The changes imply the progress of applicants stuck in the backlog, especially in the EB2 (Employment-Based Second Preference) and EB3 (Employment-Based Third Preference). This new marks a turning point for thousands of Indian applicants, bringing them closer to achieving the American Dream.
Key updates as per the January 2025 Visa Bulletin, the implications for Indian applicants, and the actionable steps for ensuring a smooth and successful green card process will be discussed below
Understanding the US Visa Bulletin
The US Visa Bulletin, published monthly by the US Department of State, highlights available immigrant visas or green cards for applicants based on priority dates. This indicates when the applicants can move up the ladder while filing their respective green cards or when the status of their green cards is being adjusted.
What are Priority Dates?
A priority date refers to the date at which the applicant’s petition for a green card also known as (Form I-140) is successfully filed. The date indicates the position of the applicant in the cue for a green card.
Priority dates are important because there exists a huge demand for employment-related green card applications. Therefore, often the annual limit is reached, resulting in backlogs. The status of the priority date must change to ‘current’ in the Visa Bulletin for filing the final steps for getting a green card such as Adjustment of Status (AOS) or Consular Processing.
Key Updates in the January 2025 Bulletin
Employment-Based Second Preference (EB2)
- The EB2 category, comprising applicants with advanced degrees/ extraordinary abilities, has displayed a significant movement in priority dates for Indians.
- The 12-month advancement of the priority dates comes as a relief for Indians who have been waiting for long.
Employment-Based Third Preference (EB3)
- Skilled workers, professionals, and other workers fall in this EB3 category and have seen an advancement of 8 months.
- This is also good news for new batches of applicants who can finally proceed with their green card applications.
However, the challenge of backlogs is still likely to remain because of the ever-growing demand for green cards from the perspective of Indians
What if there is still a backlog?
The advancements are promising, however, Indians in the EB2 and EB3 categories are still troubled with considerable backlogs. The per-country cap on green cards is responsible for the same as it limits the number of green cards issued to each nation. The demand of the future months also creates a scenario called Retrogression which further shifts the previously available dates backwards.
Implications for Indian Applicants
Immediate and long-term implications of the January 2025 Visa Bulletin for Indian green card seekers:
Immediate Benefits:
It is a critical window of opportunity for applicants whose priority date status now shows current. They need to proceed with the final steps in the green card application immediately.
They can file Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) or proceed with consular processing for obtaining their green cards.
Ongoing Challenges:
Challenges such as country-specific caps or retrogression continue to persist even though the advancements bring relief.
Retrogression usually results in delays, compelling the applicants to wait for longer even if their dates previously became current. Envoy Global’s resources suggest that retrogression remains a complex issue with no guaranteed resolution timeline.
Shorter Wait Times or Remaining Challenges:
Even though the backlog challenge is not completely solved, the advancements can influence shorter wait times for some applicants
For those with a different fate, the wait continues, highlighting the importance of staying proactive, informed and prepared.
Tips for Applicants
Take the following steps to guarantee your success if you are an Indian green card applicant:
Ensure All Documents Are Ready:
- Prepare all essential documents: Birth certificates, employment verification letters, medical examination reports and financial records.
- Double and triple-check all forms for accuracy.
File Adjustment of Status (Form I-485) Promptly:
- File the Form I-485 as soon as your priority date becomes current, if you are in the US.
- This step ensures your place in the process and helps avoiding missed deadlines.
Seek Professional Legal Advice:
Take the guidance of immigration attorneys to navigate the complexities of the green card process. This can help you avoid pitfalls while ensuring smooth processing.
Monitor Visa Bulletin Updates:
- Stay updated on monthly Visa Bulletins for actively tracking changes in priority dates.
- Subscribing to reliable immigration news sources, like IndieTalent, can help you stay informed and ahead of the competition.
- By staying proactive, preparing necessary documents, and seeking professional advice, Indian green card seekers can navigate this process successfully.
- This is a moment of opportunity. Stay updated, stay prepared, and move one step closer to your green card.
Subscribe to the IndieTalent newsletter and stay updated on Visa Bulletins and immigration news
