Why the US Visa Bulletin April 2025 Is Shaking Up Indian EB-5 Dreams

Varun Yadav
By
Varun Yadav
Senior Business & Finance Journalist
Varun Yadav is a seasoned financial journalist and sub-editor at Buzz24Times, specializing in markets, personal finance, technology, and economic trends. With a keen eye for breaking...
- Senior Business & Finance Journalist
6 Min Read

The US Visa Bulletin for April 2025 just dropped. It’s a big deal for Indians chasing green cards through the EB-5 program. Demand spiked, visas ran short, and now wait times are stretching years. This article digs into what’s happening, why it matters, and what you can do about it. Stick around—you’ll get the full picture.

Why the US Visa Bulletin April 2025 Is Shaking Up Indian EB-5 Dreams #visa #immigration
US Visa Bulletin for April 2025

EB-5 Visa Retrogression Hits Hard: EB-5 Delays for India

The April 2025 Visa Bulletin pushed India’s EB-5 Final Action Date back to November 1, 2019. That’s over two years of retrogression. China got hit too, sliding to January 22, 2014. Why? Too many people from India and China applied, and the rest of the world jumped in too. The US caps EB-5 visas yearly—part of a 140,000 employment-based total. India’s share maxes out at 7%, or roughly 9,800 visas across all EB categories. When applications pile up, backlogs grow. Indians now face longer waits. Priority dates after November 1, 2019? You’re stuck for now. Data from the bulletin shows this isn’t random—demand’s been climbing for years.

Key Dates and Details from the US Visa Bulletin April 2025

Here’s the breakdown of what’s current and what’s not. Check the table below for Final Action Dates across EB-5 categories.

Country/CategoryFinal Action Date
India EB-5 UnreservedNovember 1, 2019
China EB-5 UnreservedJanuary 22, 2014
All Other Countries EB-5Current
EB-5 Rural Set-AsideCurrent
EB-5 High UnemploymentCurrent
EB-5 InfrastructureCurrent
EB-2 IndiaJanuary 1, 2013
EB-3 IndiaApril 1, 2013
EB-1 IndiaFebruary 15, 2022
Rest of World EB-2June 22, 2023

Official source: US Department of State Visa Bulletin. These dates decide who gets a visa now and who waits.

What’s Behind the EB-5 Chaos?

The EB-5 program lets you invest $1 million—or $500,000 in high-unemployment zones—to create 10 US jobs and snag a green card. Indians love it. So do Chinese. But the yearly cap doesn’t budge. When too many apply, the system clogs. The US Visa Bulletin April 2025 proves it—demand outpaced supply. Online chatter on X shows Indian investors expected delays, but not this bad. The State Department says they’re just following the law. Congress sets the limits. They don’t adjust for spikes. Result? You wait longer.

Other Visa Options to Consider

Got a priority date past November 1, 2019? You’re not sunk yet. Look at alternatives. EB-1 works if you’ve got standout skills—think top-tier pros or researchers. EB-2 or EB-3 might move faster, with India’s dates at January 1, 2013, and April 1, 2013. Rural EB-5 projects still say “Current”—no backlog there yet. A guy on X switched to rural last year and got his visa in eight months. Point is, you’ve got paths. Research them. Act fast. Demand’s creeping up everywhere.

FINAL ACTION DATES FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES

Visa Availability Across Categories

Here’s a second table with broader US Visa Bulletin April 2025 updates. Compare where things stand.

CategoryIndia DateChina DateRest of World
EB-1February 15, 2022November 8, 2022Current
EB-2January 1, 2013October 1, 2020June 22, 2023
EB-3 Skilled WorkersApril 1, 2013November 1, 2020January 1, 2023
EB-5 UnreservedNovember 1, 2019January 22, 2014Current
EB-5 RuralCurrentCurrentCurrent

Source: USCIS Visa Bulletin Page. EB-5 set-asides still look open—jump on it if you can.

How to Stay Ahead of the Game

Track the US Visa Bulletin monthly. It’s your lifeline. Dates shift—sometimes forward, sometimes back. Demand drives it. Last year, a friend filed EB-5 in rural Texas. He checked every bulletin and moved when it said “Current.” He’s in the US now. You can do that too. Talk to an immigration lawyer. They know loopholes. Don’t sit around waiting—delays won’t fix themselves.

Why This Matters to Indian Investors

This retrogression changes plans. You invested big—maybe $500,000 or more. Now you’re stalled. Families wait. Businesses stall. The US Visa Bulletin April 2025 didn’t cause the demand—it just shows the result. Congress could raise caps, but they haven’t. X posts say Indian applicants feel blindsided. One guy wrote, “Filed in 2020, thought I’d be done by now.” He’s not. You might not be either. Plan for years, not months.

The US Visa Bulletin April 2025 lays it bare—India’s EB-5 wait grew longer. Demand overwhelmed the system. Dates slid back. You can wait it out, switch categories, or rethink your move. Check bulletins. Explore options. Act now or risk more delays. Knowledge keeps you in control.

What’s the US Visa Bulletin April 2025 mean for EB-5 India?

It means if your priority date is after November 1, 2019, you’re waiting longer—maybe years—for your green card.

Can I still get an EB-5 visa fast?

Yes, if you go for rural or high-unemployment projects. Those are “Current” in the bulletin—no backlog yet.

Why did retrogression happen?

Too many Indians and Chinese applied. The yearly visa cap didn’t grow, so the line did. Demand rules the dates.

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Varun Yadav is a seasoned financial journalist and sub-editor at Buzz24Times, specializing in markets, personal finance, technology, and economic trends. With a keen eye for breaking financial stories and insightful analysis, he delivers well-researched, reader-friendly content that empowers individuals to make informed financial decisions. A postgraduate in English Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) and a History (Hons) graduate from Hindu College, University of Delhi, Varun brings a unique blend of analytical depth and storytelling prowess to financial journalism. His expertise spans across market trends, investment strategies, fintech advancements, and economic policies, making complex financial concepts accessible to a wide audience.
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