Green Card Backlogs and Visa Bulletin Trends: What Employers Can Do In 2025 and Beyond

Persistent green card backlogs continue to affect thousands of employment-based immigrant visa applicants, particularly those in the EB-3 category for skilled workers, professionals, and unskilled workers. With demand far outpacing the annual visa supply, priority dates in the Visa Bulletin have become a critical factor in workforce planning for U.S. employers sponsoring foreign nationals. Immigration law firm Fragomen examines current trends in the Visa Bulletin, including the divergence between the Dates for Filing and Final Action Dates charts, and how these affect when applicants can submit adjustment of status applications or take other steps in the green card process. For employers, proactive strategies include early PERM labor certification filing, maintaining consistent sponsorship pipelines, and monitoring monthly Visa Bulletin releases to capitalize on favorable movement in priority dates. Fragomen also highlights the importance of I-140 petition approvals as a protective measure for employees who may change roles or employers under portability rules. The article underscores that country of birth—particularly for nationals of India and China—remains the dominant factor driving wait times, with some EB-3 India applicants facing decades-long backlogs. Employers with diverse workforces must tailor their immigration strategies accordingly. Looking beyond 2025, Fragomen advises employers to engage in long-term workforce immigration planning, work closely with counsel to track legislative developments that could impact visa availability, and educate HR teams on the mechanics of the Visa Bulletin to set realistic expectations for sponsored employees.