The US Visa Bulletin for December 2025 brings long-awaited relief for thousands of Indian employment-based (EB) Green Card applicants. After years of severe retrogression, priority dates for key EB categories have finally moved forward, offering renewed hope to skilled workers stuck in multi-year backlogs. The latest bulletin reflects improved visa availability, faster processing under modernization policies, and a stronger push to clear pending cases from India, one of the most backlogged countries in the world.
Why the December 2025 Visa Bulletin Is Good News for Indians
For several years, Indian applicants faced some of the longest Green Card wait times in US immigration history, with projections stretching decades for certain EB categories. The December 2025 bulletin marks the first time in years that EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 categories are seeing consistent, meaningful forward movement. This shift is the result of improved visa recapture rules, unused visa rollovers, and administrative reforms aimed at reducing bottlenecks.
EB-1 Category Shows Strong Forward Movement
The EB-1 category, which includes multinational managers, researchers, and individuals with extraordinary ability, is now seeing rapid advancement. Many Indian applicants with priority dates from the recent years are closer than ever to receiving their final Green Card approvals. This trend follows improved visa spillover from unused family-based categories.
| Category | Visa Bulletin December 2025 Update (India) |
|---|---|
| EB-1 | Significant forward movement; nearing current for many applicants |
| EB-2 | Major advancement after earlier retrogression |
| EB-3 | Steady progression, reducing multi-year backlog |
| EB-3 Other Workers | Limited movement but improving slowly |
| EB-5 | Mostly current with regional center visas available |
| Family Categories | Minor movement; no major breakthroughs |
EB-2 India Sees Long-Awaited Jump
EB-2 applicants—primarily advanced degree professionals—have gained the most from this month’s bulletin. After heavy retrogression in 2023 and 2024, EB-2 India has finally advanced by several months. This progress offers fresh hope to workers who have been waiting more than a decade for permanent residency.
EB-3 Professional and Skilled Worker Category Progresses
The EB-3 category, often used by IT professionals, engineers, healthcare workers, and skilled employees, continues to move forward steadily. Many applicants with older priority dates now see shorter wait times, and new filings under PERM are moving more predictably than in previous cycles.
Key Benefits for Indian Applicants Under the December 2025 Bulletin
This section includes the only allowed bullet list:
- Faster movement in EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 categories
- Reduced backlog for long-pending priority dates
- Increased chances of I-485 approvals for Indian applicants already in the US
- More visa availability due to recaptured numbers and rollover visas
- Improved opportunities for work, travel, and status stability for applicants and families
Impact on Pending I-485 Applications
With the Visa Bulletin advancing forward, thousands of Indian applicants already living in the US on H-1B, L-1, or dependent visas may see their adjustment of status applications approved sooner. Many who have been waiting in “pending” status for employment authorization or advance parole renewals may finally move to permanent residency, reducing the burden on temporary visas.
Why Backlogs Are Easing in 2025
Several policy reforms are contributing to the improved situation:
- Unused visas from prior years have been successfully recaptured
- Improved digital processing has accelerated case workflows
- Family-based visa under-use has increased spillover into EB categories
- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has increased staffing for employment-based adjudications
These combined efforts are reducing historical bottlenecks that previously extended wait times for Indian applicants.
What Indian Applicants Should Expect Next
If current trends continue, December 2025 and early 2026 Visa Bulletins may bring further advancement. Applicants whose priority dates are now “current” should prepare all required documents, ensure medical exams are updated, and monitor USCIS case movement closely. Those in the H-1B backlog may soon gain permanent residency stability, reducing the stress of visa renewals.
Conclusion: The US Visa Bulletin for December 2025 delivers meaningful progress for Indian employment-based Green Card applicants. With EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 categories advancing, hope has returned for thousands of skilled professionals who have waited years for their priority dates to become current. If the momentum continues, 2026 may mark a turning point in eliminating some of the longest EB backlogs in the US immigration system.
Disclaimer: This article summarizes expected and current trends from the December 2025 Visa Bulletin. Visa availability may change based on USCIS processing, annual limits, and future policy announcements. Applicants should check official USCIS and State Department updates for exact filing instructions.