August 2025 Visa Bulletin: India EB-3 Advances 1 Month, EB-2 Dates Retrogress

The August 2025 Visa Bulletin from the U.S. Department of State delivers mixed results for employment-based immigration applicants. India's EB-3 category sees a modest but welcome one-month advancement in priority dates, offering incremental progress for the large backlog of Indian nationals pursuing green cards through skilled worker, professional, and unskilled worker classifications. In contrast, the bulletin brings unfavorable news for certain EB-2 applicants, with some dates experiencing retrogression. Retrogression occurs when demand in a given category and country surpasses the monthly visa supply, forcing cutoff dates backward and temporarily preventing affected applicants from filing adjustment of status applications or proceeding with immigrant visa processing. For India EB-3 applicants, the advancement signals a slightly positive trajectory, though the overall backlog remains deep — with wait times measured in years for Indian nationals. Applicants should cross-reference their specific priority date against both the Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing charts published in the August bulletin. USCIS designates each month which filing chart applies to adjustment of status cases, so applicants and practitioners should confirm the applicable chart before filing. Those nearing their cutoff date should coordinate closely with their immigration counsel to prepare documents in advance of potential forward movement in upcoming bulletins.