Each month, the U.S. Department of State issues the Visa Bulletin, a document that dictates when immigrant visa applicants can move forward with their cases. For EB-5 investors, the bulletin is especially critical because it determines when you and your family can actually obtain green cards after filing your EB-5 petition.
October holds special importance in this cycle. It’s the start of the new fiscal year for the U.S. government, which means that immigrant visa numbers are refreshed. Every category gets a fresh annual allocation, often leading to forward movement in cutoff dates.
This article compares the October 2025 Visa Bulletin with the September 2025 Visa Bulletin, highlighting the changes that matter most to EB-5 investors in India, China, and the rest of the world.
How Visa Numbers Work and Why October Is Key
Every year, Congress sets limits on how many immigrant visas can be issued:
- Family-sponsored categories: 226,000 visas annually.
- Employment-based categories (including EB-5): At least 140,000 visas annually.
On top of this, each country is capped at 7% of the worldwide total. Any unused family visas can “spill over” into employment-based categories, sometimes creating extra room for EB-5.
Because the new fiscal year starts in October, all of these numbers reset. As a result, investors often see forward movement in that month’s bulletin.
A Quick Refresher on EB-5 Categories
The EB-5 program is divided into:
- Unreserved visas (68%) – open to all investors but subject to long backlogs for China and India.
- Set-aside visas (32%) – reserved for investments in:
- Rural areas (20%)
- High-unemployment areas (10%)
- Infrastructure projects (2%)
Set-asides were introduced under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (RIA) and are often the fastest route for backlogged countries.
September 2025 EB-5 Visa Bulletin
In September 2025 (the last month of FY2025), the EB-5 bulletin looked like this:
- EB-5 Unreserved Final Action Dates:
- China: December 8, 2015
- India: November 15, 2019
- All other countries: Current
- Set-Asides (Rural, High-Unemployment, Infrastructure): Current for all countries.
This showed a continuing backlog for China and India, with no relief for investors with recent priority dates.
October 2025 EB-5 Visa Bulletin
October 2025 marked the reset of visa numbers for FY2026. The bulletin revealed the following:
- EB-5 Unreserved Final Action Dates:
- China: December 8, 2015 (unchanged from September)
- India: February 1, 2021 (major advancement)
- All other countries: Current
- Set-Asides: Still Current for every country.
- Other changes: The Religious Worker category under EB-4 was listed as Unavailable after September 30, 2025, unless extended by Congress.
Comparing September vs. October 2025
Here’s the key takeaway:
- India EB-5 Unreserved: Jumped forward more than a year, from Nov 15, 2019 → Feb 1, 2021. This is a big win for Indian investors, many of whom now become eligible to move forward.
- China EB-5 Unreserved: Stuck at Dec 8, 2015. The backlog continues with no movement.
- Rest of the World: Continues to remain Current.
- Set-Asides: Still Current across the board, making them the fastest route for both Chinese and Indian investors.
Why Did India Move Forward?
Each October, the Department of State recalculates visa numbers. India’s forward movement reflects:
- Fresh allocation of new visas in FY2026.
- Lower-than-expected demand in some other categories, freeing up space.
- The effort to balance the queue while keeping China’s oversubscription in check.
For Indian investors, this is great news. Those with early 2021 priority dates can now move forward with immigrant visa issuance or adjustment of status.
What This Means for EB-5 Investors
- Indian Investors – If your I-526 or I-526E petition has a priority date in 2020 or early 2021, you may now be eligible for green card issuance. This is the best forward movement India has seen in years.
- Chinese Investors – Unfortunately, the cutoff date did not advance. Many Chinese investors remain stuck with nearly decade-long backlogs. However, set-asides remain Current, offering an alternate path.
- Rest of the World – No backlogs. Investors from countries outside China and India continue to see Current status, meaning no waiting once their petitions are approved.
- Strategic Tip – EB-5 set-asides are the most reliable way to avoid backlogs. Even for oversubscribed countries, they remain open and Current, making them the fastest option for new investors.
Conclusion
The October 2025 Visa Bulletin demonstrates the importance of the fiscal year reset. With India advancing significantly, EB-5 investors from that country can finally see progress after long waits. China remains backlogged, underscoring the value of filing under set-aside categories.
For all investors, October is a reminder that timing matters. Staying informed about the Visa Bulletin each month can help you plan the smartest path to your U.S. green card.
Because October marks the start of the new fiscal year. All employment-based visas, including EB-5, get a fresh annual allocation, which often pushes cutoff dates forward.
India (Unreserved): February 1, 2021 (advanced from November 15, 2019 in Sept).
China (Unreserved): December 8, 2015 (unchanged).
Yes, all EB-5 set-aside categories (rural, high-unemployment, and infrastructure) remain Current for every country, providing a faster path than unreserved EB-5.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Understanding the Visa Bulletin is just the first step in your EB-5 journey. To see how you can turn these updates into a green card strategy for you and your family, check out our EB-5 Visa Investment Guide. Inside, you’ll find everything you need to know about qualifying investments, timelines, and how to avoid costly mistakes.
