The U.S. Department of State has made notable advances in visa processing for family-sponsored immigrants in the May 2025 Visa Bulletin, including key changes for spouses and children of lawful permanent residents (LPRs).
These updates will impact applicants worldwide, including those from the Caribbean, providing clearer timelines for submitting documentation to the National Visa Center (NVC).
Key changes for family-sponsored preferences
One of the most significant updates is the advancement of the F-2A category, which includes spouses and unmarried children (under 21) of permanent residents. The Final Action Date for the F-2A category has moved forward by three months and two weeks, now set to February 1, 2025, for applicants from all countries, including the Caribbean. This is a notable shift from the previous date of October 15, 2024, making it easier for families to submit their applications and reunite faster.
This advancement applies not just to general applicants, but also to those from China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines, all of which now share the same updated cut-off date of February 1, 2025—a significant improvement from the previous date of October 15, 2024. For families in these countries, including those in the Caribbean, this change means faster visa processing and a smoother path toward family reunification in the U.S.
For the F-2B category, which covers unmarried sons and daughters (21 or older) of permanent residents, the final action date remains January 1, 2017, for most countries. However, applicants from Mexico still face a longer wait, with a final action date of April 1, 2007, and applicants from the Philippines have a final action date of October 1, 2013.
In the F-1 category, for unmarried children (aged 21 and older) of U.S. citizens, there has been no movement. The final action dates remain unchanged at September 1, 2017, for all countries except for Mexico, which continues to have a cut-off date of April 1, 2006, and the Philippines, which has a final action date of April 22, 2015.
Updates for other family-sponsored categories
For the F-3 category, which covers married children of U.S. citizens, there has been no change in the cut-off dates:
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All Other Areas: July 22, 2012 (No change)
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China: July 22, 2012 (No change)
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India: July 22, 2012 (No change)
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Mexico: June 15, 2001 (No change)
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Philippines: September 22, 2004 (No change)
In the F-4 category, which applies to siblings of U.S. citizens, the final action dates have moved forward for certain countries:
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All Other Areas: June 1, 2008 (Advance of 2 months from April 1, 2008)
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China: June 1, 2008 (Advance of 2 months from April 1, 2008)
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India: October 1, 2006 (No change)
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Mexico: April 30, 2001 (No change)
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Philippines: January 1, 2008 (No change)
Dates for Filing Visa Applications
For the Dates for Filing chart, which allows applicants to begin submitting their documents earlier, applicants in the F-1 category, for unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, can submit documents if their priority date is earlier than September 1, 2017, for most countries and April 1, 2006, for Mexico.
The F-2A category has a filing date of February 1, 2025, for all countries, including the Caribbean. Applicants in the F-2B category can file if their priority date is earlier than January 1, 2017, for all chargeability areas, while applicants from Mexico can file if their priority date is earlier than April 1, 2007, and applicants from the Philippines if their priority date is earlier than October 1, 2013. Similarly, applicants in the F-3 category may file if their priority date is earlier than July 22, 2012, and for F-4, the filing date is June 1, 2008.
These changes in the May 2025 Visa Bulletin offer hope for quicker reunification, especially for families in the Caribbean seeking to join their loved ones in the U.S.
