The United States Department of State has released the US Visa Bulletin for April 2025, highlighting key updates on immigrant visa availability under the “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing Applications” categories. The bulletin indicates significant retrogression in the EB-5 visa category for Indian and Chinese applicants due to increased demand and visa usage.
Retrogression in EB-5 Visa Category
The April 2025 Visa Bulletin confirms that the final action dates for EB-5 unreserved visa applicants from India and China have been pushed back substantially. The final action date for Indian applicants has moved back by over two years to November 1, 2019, while for Chinese applicants, it has retrogressed by approximately two and a half years to January 22, 2014.
This retrogression means that only Indian and Chinese EB-5 applicants with priority dates before these cutoffs will be eligible for visa issuance at this time. The US Department of State explained that the increase in demand from Indian and Chinese applicants, coupled with a rise in visa usage from other countries, necessitated this adjustment to stay within the fiscal year 2025 annual visa limits.
Understanding the EB-5 Visa Program
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program allows foreign nationals to secure US permanent residency by investing at least $1 million — or $500,000 in targeted employment areas — into a new commercial enterprise that creates a minimum of ten full-time jobs for American workers. The program has been particularly attractive to investors from India and China seeking better opportunities and long-term stability in the United States.
Impact on Indian Applicants
The retrogression poses a challenge for Indian investors, as longer waiting periods are now expected for those with priority dates after November 1, 2019. This could affect immigration plans and investment strategies for many Indian applicants.
Immigration experts suggest that prospective EB-5 applicants from India should stay updated with future visa bulletin releases and consider alternative immigration options to avoid prolonged delays. The US Department of State has also cautioned that if the current demand trend continues, it may become necessary to introduce further restrictions for applicants from other countries as well.
Planning Ahead
The growing demand for EB-5 visas from Indian and Chinese investors underscores the increasing appeal of US permanent residency through investment. While the retrogression might delay the green card process for some, staying informed about future visa bulletin updates and adjusting expectations accordingly can help investors navigate the complexities of the US immigration process more effectively.
