Visa Bulletin Update: December 2025 — Key Changes from November 2025
The U.S. Department of State has released the December 2025 Visa Bulletin. Compared with November 2025, we see modest but meaningful forward movement in several family-sponsored categories, broader advancement across multiple employment-based categories (especially for China and India), the reopening of the Religious Worker (SR) category, and a higher Diversity Visa cut-off for Algeria.
1. Family-Sponsored Final Action Dates — November vs December 2025
Most family categories remain unchanged, but Mexico and the Philippines see measurable advancement in several preference classes.
| Category | November 2025 – Selected Dates | December 2025 – Selected Dates | Movement |
|---|---|---|---|
| F1 – Unmarried Sons/Daughters of U.S. Citizens | All chargeability / CHN / IND: 08NOV2016; MEX: 22NOV2005; PHL: 22JAN2013 | All chargeability / CHN / IND: 08NOV2016; MEX: 01MAR2006; PHL: 22JAN2013 | Mexico advances by about three months; others unchanged |
| F2A – Spouses/Children of LPRs | Worldwide: 01FEB2024; MEX: 01FEB2023 | Worldwide: 01FEB2024; MEX: 01FEB2023 | No change |
| F2B – Unmarried Sons/Daughters (21+) of LPRs | Worldwide: 01DEC2016; MEX: 15DEC2007; PHL: 01OCT2012 | Worldwide: 01DEC2016; MEX: 15MAY2008; PHL: 08OCT2012 | Mexico advances about five months; Philippines advances one week |
| F3 – Married Sons/Daughters of U.S. Citizens | Worldwide: 08SEP2011; MEX: 01MAY2001; PHL: 22SEP2004 | Worldwide: 08SEP2011; MEX: 01MAY2001; PHL: 01NOV2004 | Philippines advances by roughly five weeks |
| F4 – Siblings of Adult U.S. Citizens | Worldwide: 08JAN2008; IND: 01NOV2006; MEX: 08APR2001; PHL: 22MAR2006 | Worldwide: 08JAN2008; IND: 01NOV2006; MEX: 08APR2001; PHL: 15JUL2006 | Philippines advances by about four months |
2. Family-Sponsored Dates for Filing — November vs December 2025
The main movement on the filing side is in F2A, where spouses and children of permanent residents gain an additional month of filing eligibility.
| Category | November 2025 – Dates for Filing | December 2025 – Dates for Filing | Movement |
|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Worldwide: 01SEP2017; MEX: 01MAR2007; PHL: 22APR2015 | Worldwide: 01SEP2017; MEX: 01MAR2007; PHL: 22APR2015 | No change |
| F2A | Worldwide / CHN / IND / MEX / PHL: 22OCT2025 | Worldwide / CHN / IND / MEX / PHL: 22NOV2025 | All F2A filing dates advance by one month |
| F2B | Worldwide: 08MAR2017; MEX: 15MAY2009; PHL: 01OCT2013 | Same in December | No change |
| F3 | Worldwide: 22JUL2012; MEX: 01JUL2001; PHL: 01NOV2005 | Same in December | No change |
| F4 | Worldwide: 01MAR2009; IND: 15DEC2006; MEX: 30APR2001; PHL: 01JAN2008 | Same in December | No change |
3. Employment-Based Final Action Dates — November vs December 2025
December 2025 brings broad advancement across many employment-based categories, with noticeable progress for China and India and the re-opening of the Religious Worker (SR) category.
| Category | November 2025 – Final Action | December 2025 – Final Action | Movement |
|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 – Priority Workers | Worldwide: C; CHN: 22DEC2022; IND: 15FEB2022 | Worldwide: C; CHN: 22JAN2023; IND: 15MAR2022 | China and India advance by about one month |
| EB-2 – Advanced Degree / Exceptional Ability | Worldwide: 01DEC2023; CHN: 01APR2021; IND: 01APR2013 | Worldwide: 01FEB2024; CHN: 01JUN2021; IND: 15MAY2013 | Worldwide +2 months; China +2 months; India roughly +1.5 months |
| EB-3 – Skilled Workers / Professionals | Worldwide: 01APR2023; CHN: 01MAR2021; IND: 22AUG2013 | Worldwide: 15APR2023; CHN: 01APR2021; IND: 22SEP2013 | Modest forward movement across all three lines |
| EB-3 Other Workers | Worldwide: 15JUL2021; CHN: 01DEC2017; IND: 22AUG2013 | Worldwide: 01AUG2021; CHN: 08DEC2017; IND: 22SEP2013 | Incremental forward movement worldwide, China, and India |
| EB-4 – Certain Special Immigrants | 01JUL2020 (worldwide) | 01SEP2020 (worldwide) | Advances two months |
| EB-4 SR – Religious Workers | Unavailable (U) | 01SEP2020 (worldwide) | Category re-opened following legislative extension |
| EB-5 Unreserved (C5/T5/I5/R5/NU/RU) | Worldwide: C; CHN: 08DEC2015; IND: 01FEB2021 | Worldwide: C; CHN: 15JUL2016; IND: 01JUL2021 | Significant gains for China and India |
4. Employment-Based Dates for Filing — November vs December 2025
Most filing dates remain unchanged. The notable developments are a slight forward movement for EB-5 China and the introduction of a filing date for Religious Workers (SR).
| Category | November 2025 – Dates for Filing | December 2025 – Dates for Filing | Movement |
|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Worldwide: C; CHN: 15MAY2023; IND: 15APR2023 | Same in December | No change |
| EB-2 | Worldwide: 15JUL2024; CHN: 01DEC2021; IND: 01DEC2013 | Same in December | No change |
| EB-3 | Worldwide: 01JUL2023; CHN: 01JAN2022; IND: 15AUG2014 | Same in December | No change |
| EB-3 Other Workers | Worldwide: 01DEC2021; CHN: 01OCT2018; IND: 15AUG2014 | Same in December | No change |
| EB-4 | 15FEB2021 (worldwide) | 15FEB2021 (worldwide) | No change |
| EB-4 SR | Unavailable (U) | 15FEB2021 (worldwide) | Filing date now available for SR cases |
| EB-5 Unreserved | Worldwide: C; CHN: 01JUL2016; IND: 01APR2022 | Worldwide: C; CHN: 22JUL2016; IND: 01APR2022 | Small forward movement for China |
5. Diversity Visa (DV-2026) — Regional Rank Cut-Offs
The December 2025 bulletin largely maintains November’s DV-2026 rank cut-offs, with a notable increase for Algeria.
| Region | November 2025 | December 2025 | Movement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Africa (general) | 17,500 | 17,500 | No change |
| – Algeria | 14,500 | 17,250 | Significant increase |
| – Egypt | 16,000 | 16,000 | No change |
| Asia | 10,000 (Nepal: 6,000) | 10,000 (Nepal: 6,000) | No change |
| Europe | 7,750 | 7,750 | No change |
| North America (Bahamas) | 20 | 20 | No change |
| Oceania | 1,100 | 1,100 | No change |
| South America & the Caribbean | 1,850 | 1,850 | No change |
6. Who Is Most Impacted by the December 2025 Movements?
December 2025 is especially relevant for:
- Family-based applicants from Mexico and the Philippines in F1, F2B, F3, and F4 whose priority dates are edging closer to, or crossing, the listed cut-offs.
- Employment-based applicants from China and India in EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, and EB-5 who benefit from steady forward movement.
- Religious workers in the EB-4/SR category, which has been re-opened with both final action and filing dates.
- DV-2026 selectees from Algeria who now fall within the increased rank cut-off.
7. Practical Next Steps for December 2025 Filings
Given these changes, applicants and petitioners should:
- Review both the Final Action and Dates for Filing charts for their category and chargeability area.
- For F2A cases, confirm whether their priority date now precedes 22 November 2025 to determine filing eligibility.
- For employment-based cases, particularly for China and India, reassess whether their cases are now ready for filing or adjudication.
- For Religious Worker (SR) applicants, re-align expectations and timelines in light of the re-opened category and newly listed dates.
- For DV-2026 selectees, especially from Algeria, ensure that documentation is complete so that cases can proceed as rank numbers become current.
8. How Versfeld & Hugo LLC Can Assist
Monthly movements in the Visa Bulletin can have a direct impact on when you or your organization should file, respond, or plan for travel. Small shifts in dates can translate into significant differences in timing for families, investors, employers, and religious organizations.
Versfeld & Hugo LLC monitors these changes closely and advises clients on:
- Interpreting how each month’s bulletin affects family-sponsored and employment-based cases;
- Coordinating strategy around priority dates, country-specific backlogs, and annual limits; and
- Preparing filings and consular strategies that align with the most up-to-date visa availability.
If your priority date has become current or is approaching the new cut-off, this is an appropriate time to review your case with experienced immigration counsel.
Contact Versfeld & Hugo LLC:
📞 +1 816 891 8600
📧 info@versfeldimmigration.com
🌐 www.versfeldimmigration.com
#VersfeldHugo #emigrate2america
