The US State Department has released the December 2025 Visa Bulletin with notable forward movement for Indian employment-based green card applicants.
Key Changes for Indians
Employment-Based Categories
| Category | November 2025 | December 2025 | Movement |
|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Feb 15, 2022 | Mar 15, 2022 | +1 month |
| EB-5 (Unreserved) | Feb 1, 2021 | Jul 1, 2021 | +5 months |
| EB-5 (Set-asides) | Current | Current | No wait |
EB-5 Highlights
The biggest news is for EB-5 investors:
- Unreserved category jumped 5 months forward
- Set-aside streams remain current (no backlog)
- Rural, high unemployment, and infrastructure categories have no wait
B1/B2 Visitor Visa Updates
For tourist and business visa applicants:
- Interview waiver appointments consolidated in New Delhi since March 2024
- Application forms still free at all 5 VFS centers
- Processing times: 3-6 weeks typical
Exchange Rate Change
As of September 29, 2025, the consular exchange rate changed from 87 to 92 rupees per dollar, affecting fee calculations.
Current Fee Structure
| Visa Type | Fee (USD) | Fee (INR approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| B1/B2 | $185 | ₹17,020 |
| H-1B | $215 | ₹19,780 |
| Student F-1 | $185 | ₹17,020 |
What’s Next
The January 2026 bulletin is expected mid-December. Family-based categories remain largely unchanged with minimal movement expected.