American Dream In Trouble? US Visa Bulletin For May 2025 Brings Bad News For Indians

Washington:

Amid US President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown, the American dream of thousands of Indians seems to be fading. The US Department of State recently released its Visa Bulletin for May 2025, which brought more bad news for Indian H-1B and green card hopefuls, as it shows a significant retrogression in the employment-based fifth preference category for Indians. 

Per the document, the EB-5 Unreserved category visa for Indians would move backward by over six months to May 1, 2019. On the other hand, China continues to be on January 22, 2014. According to the bulletin, "High demand and number use by India in the EB-5 unreserved visa categories, combined with increased Rest of World demand and number use, made it necessary to further retrogress the India final action date to maintain number use within the maximum allowed under the FY-2025 annual limits." What Might the Visa Bulletin Have to Say About Other Types Employment-Based, First Preference Category: There is no change for the EB-1 category as the cutoff date for India remains at February 2, 2022, while for China, it remains November 8, 2022.   All other countries will continue to be current in the EB1 category. 

Employment-Based, Second Preference Category: The EB-2 category will also remain unchanged for Indians and Chinese nationals. For India, the cutoff date remains January 1, 2013, while for China it remains October 1, 2020. The EB2 cutoff date for all other countries remains June 22, 2023. 

Employment-Based, Third PreferenceIn the EB-3 category, China's cutoff date remains November 1, 2020, while India's cutoff date moves up to April 15, 2013. The cutoff date of other countries remains at January 1, 2023.

EB-3 Other Workers: In the EB-3 other workers category for Indians, the cutoff date matches with the EB-3 category on April 15, 2013. The cutoff date for China is April 1, 2017, while it will remain May 22, 2021 for all other nations. "The fiscal year 2025 limit for family-sponsored preference immigrants determined in accordance with Section 201 of the Immigration and Nationality Act is 226,000.   There are at least 140,000 annual employment-based preference immigrants worldwide. Section 202 prescribes that the per-country limit for preference immigrants is set at 7 per cent of the total annual family-sponsored and employment-based preference limits, i.e., 25,620.   The bulletin added, "The dependent area limit is set at 2%, or 7,320." What Does Retrogression Of Visa Mean

The US Department of State issues a monthly visa bulletin which lists the cut-off dates for visa availability for different nationalities. It determines which applicants are eligible to apply for permanent residency or an adjustment to their visa status. Most of the time, people who have a priority date before the deadline in the most recent bulletin can apply for permanent residency. When more people apply for a visa in a particular category or country than there are visas available for that month, visa retrogression occurs. Retrogression typically occurs toward the end of the fiscal year as visa issuance approaches the annual category or per-country limitations.

Trump's Immigration Policies

Ever since Trump returned to the White House in January 2025, immigration has once again become the focal point in US politics, with the Republicans' "America first" agenda shaping the discussion around who could enter the US or stay there and under what conditions. While the Trump administration has cracked down on illegal immigration, its policies are also influencing high-skilled immigration.

This is your chance to live and work in the United States, but only if you act quickly. Forget the endless paperwork and years of waiting; there’s a hidden path that’s blowing up right now, and it’s easier than you think. However, there is a catch: it won't be open forever. Are you ready to jump on it? What's the deal? The EB-5 visa is the key to getting US residency quickly for those who can invest in the American dream. You can buy your way into a green card with just $800,000—no need to win the lottery or have ties to your family. Does it seem too good to be true? It is real and legal, but the government is cracking down on it, and there are rumors that the cost could double by 2025. Because of this, experienced applicants are rushing to secure a spot before the rules change. Don’t get left behind.

But beware—screw this up, and you’re toast. Your application is doomed to failure if you submit it on the incorrect form or miss the deadline. That’s where hiring an immigration lawyer becomes your secret weapon. These pros know the shortcuts, the pitfalls, and how to grease the wheels. Sure, they’re not cheap, but think of it as insurance—spend a little now to avoid losing everything later. Plus, with demand skyrocketing, their fees are only going up. Do something before you're priced out. Here’s the bottom line: the clock’s ticking, and the stakes are sky-high. Whether you’re chasing the EB-5 visa or navigating the maze of family-based petitions, you need to move fast. Consult an immigration attorney right away to get your application started so that you don't let "I should've" haunt you. Your future in the United States is in jeopardy, and this lull won't last. Seize it before it’s gone.