If you’re a skilled worker or professional from Southeast Asia waiting for your U.S. green card, the August 2025 Visa Bulletin may bring some disappointing news — particularly if you’re applying under the EB-2 category.
EB-2: Backward Movement for Southeast Asian Applicants
The EB-2 visa is meant for people with advanced degrees or exceptional abilities. For applicants from ASEAN countries like the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam, the U.S. government has pushed the priority date backward.
- New cut-off: September 1, 2023
- Previous cut-off: October 15, 2023
This means applicants from Southeast Asia may need to wait longer before their green card applications are processed.
EB-3: Some Progress, But Not for ASEAN
The EB-3 visa, for skilled and professional workers, saw a small advancement only for Indian nationals, whose cut-off date moved from April 22 to May 22, 2013.
For applicants from ASEAN and other regions:
- No movement in EB-3
- Philippines EB-3 cut-off remains at Feb 8, 2023
- Others in ASEAN are part of the “Rest of World” category — also unchanged at April 1, 2023
Read Also: VPNs Every ASEAN Internet User Should Have in 2025
What It Means
- USCIS is using the Final Action Dates chart for August 2025 — meaning you can only file if your priority date is before the listed cut-off.
- Due to heavy demand, the U.S. may stop accepting new filings if categories reach their annual visa limit — possibly even before the fiscal year ends on September 30.
