top of page
Search

July 2025 Visa Bulletin: Key Employment-Based Immigration Updates HR Needs to Know

The second half of the year is bringing steady but meaningful shifts in U.S. employment-based immigration policy, and HR teams supporting foreign national employees need to stay on top of every change.


From automatic work permit extensions for Hong Kong residents to updates in green card eligibility and visa cutoff dates, here’s what changed in the July 2025 Visa Bulletin and what your team needs to do now.


Cartoon-style illustration of three diverse office workers reacting with concern while sitting at a desk. One man looks confused with his hand on his head, another is covering his mouth in surprise, and a woman looks worried while holding her head. A laptop, documents, and a clock are visible in the background, suggesting an urgent or unexpected situation.

1. Hong Kong DED EADs Extended Through 2027


On July 9, USCIS published guidance confirming that individuals from Hong Kong covered by Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) are eligible for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) valid through February 5, 2027.


This applies to:

  • New DED-eligible applicants, and

  • Current A11-category EAD holders with expirations in 2023 or 2025



What this means for HR:

If your company employs a Hong Kong national with an A11 EAD card, no new documentation is required for Form I-9 compliance. These employees can continue working lawfully through Feb 2027, and their EAD is considered extended automatically under the Federal Register notice.





2. USCIS Confirms Final Action Dates Apply for July Filings


USCIS has confirmed that for July 2025, all employment-based immigration filings must follow the Final Action Dates chart from the State Department, not the more flexible Dates for Filing chart.


This directly affects who can submit I-485 adjustment of status applications this month.


What this means for HR:

Double-check priority dates before initiating green card filings. Relying on the wrong chart could delay your filing window and affect employee retention or work authorization planning.





3. July 2025 Visa Bulletin Movement: EB-2 Steady, EB-3 Advances


The July 2025 Visa Bulletin brings notable movement in several employment-based categories. Here’s where the dates stand:



EB-1

  • All other countries: Current

  • China: Advanced to Nov 15, 2022

  • India: Unchanged at Feb 15, 2022




EB-2

  • All others: Oct 15, 2023 (unchanged)

  • China: Advanced to Dec 15, 2020

  • India: Unchanged at Jan 1, 2013




EB-3

  • All others (including Mexico/Philippines): Advanced to Apr 1, 2023

  • China: Advanced to Dec 1, 2020

  • India: Advanced to Apr 22, 2013



What this means for HR:

If you have visa-holding employees whose priority dates just became current, especially in EB-3, now may be the right time to file. Missing this window could delay permanent residency by months or more.





4. What HR Teams Should Do Now



Even small changes in the employment-based immigration updates for 2025 can have outsized impacts. Here’s how to stay on top of them:

✅ Re-check I-485 eligibility

✅ Use the correct visa bulletin chart

✅ Confirm Hong Kong EAD status

✅ Prioritize EB-3 applicants where possible




💬 Need Help Prioritizing?


If you’re unsure how these changes affect your foreign national employees, or you simply don’t have time to review charts and codes every month, we’ve got your back.


WayLit helps HR teams translate policy into action.

We track the dates, decode the rules, and give you a plan.



Disclaimer: Content in this publication is not intended as legal advice, nor should it be relied on as such. For additional information on the issues discussed, consult a WayLit-affiliated attorney or another qualified professional.

Comments

bottom of page