U.S. Immigration Data

Priority dates, work visas, and labor market data

Analysis April 04, 2026

Visa Bulletin Analysis: December 2025

The Department of State has released the December 2025 Visa Bulletin. Below is our analysis of the significant movements and how they compare to our predictions.


1. Prediction vs Reality

Where our model diverged from the actual bulletin (threshold: >14 days).

Confidence interval coverage: 29 of 40 predictions (72.5%) fell within our confidence intervals. Average CI width: 540.0 days.
EB-4 ROW (Final Action) Underestimated advance
Previous Cutoff 01 Jul 2020
We Predicted 01 Aug 2019
-335d
Actual Result 01 Sep 2020
+62d
Miss +397d
EB-4 China (Final Action) Underestimated advance
Previous Cutoff 01 Jul 2020
We Predicted 01 Aug 2019
-335d
Actual Result 01 Sep 2020
+62d
Miss +397d
EB-4 India (Final Action) Underestimated advance
Previous Cutoff 01 Jul 2020
We Predicted 01 Aug 2019
-335d
Actual Result 01 Sep 2020
+62d
Miss +397d
EB-4 Mexico (Final Action) Underestimated advance
Previous Cutoff 01 Jul 2020
We Predicted 01 Aug 2019
-335d
Actual Result 01 Sep 2020
+62d
Miss +397d
EB-4 Philippines (Final Action) Underestimated advance
Previous Cutoff 01 Jul 2020
We Predicted 01 Aug 2019
-335d
Actual Result 01 Sep 2020
+62d
Miss +397d

2. Key Movements

Month-over-month changes for applicants.

Family-Sponsored

No significant movement observed in Family-Sponsored categories.

Employment-Based

  • EB-1 China advanced by 31 days to 22 Jan 2023.
  • EB-1 India advanced by 28 days to 15 Mar 2022.
  • EB-2 China advanced by 61 days to 01 Jun 2021.
  • EB-2 India advanced by 44 days to 15 May 2013.
  • EB-2 ROW advanced by 62 days to 01 Feb 2024.
  • EB-3 China advanced by 31 days to 01 Apr 2021.
  • EB-3 India advanced by 31 days to 22 Sep 2013.
  • EB-3 ROW advanced by 14 days to 15 Apr 2023.

Historical Pace (12-month average)

Category 12-mo avg (days/mo) vs Seasonal Avg Trend
EB-1 China 6.2 -7.7 Typical
EB-1 India 3.5 -21.0 Slower
EB-2 China 36.3 +26.5 Faster
EB-2 India 23.9 +41.3 Faster
EB-2 ROW 26.9 +20.7 Faster
EB-3 China 30.4 +3.0 Typical
EB-3 India 26.5 +34.0 Faster
EB-3 ROW 12.6 -25.7 Slower

3. Future Outlook

The overall trend is positive, with most tracked series showing forward movement.

EB-1 China Volatile

Next predicted cutoff: 15 May 2023

Pace: 6.2 d/mo avg

Model confidence: Low

Top Factors
  • 0% Gbm → 06 Apr 2023
  • 0% Queue Simulation → 01 May 2023
  • 0% Fiscal Year Cycle → 14 Jun 2023
EB-1 India Volatile

Next predicted cutoff: 15 Apr 2023

Pace: 3.5 d/mo avg (slower than usual)

Model confidence: Low

Top Factors
  • 0% Gbm → 20 Feb 2023
  • 0% Queue Simulation → 01 Apr 2023
  • 0% Fiscal Year Cycle → 30 Apr 2023
EB-2 China Volatile

Next predicted cutoff: 01 Dec 2021

Pace: 36.3 d/mo avg (faster than usual)

Model confidence: Low

Top Factors
  • 0% Gbm → 18 Oct 2021
  • 0% Queue Simulation → 01 Dec 2021
  • 0% Fiscal Year Cycle → 01 Dec 2021
EB-2 India Volatile

Next predicted cutoff: 01 Dec 2013

Pace: 23.9 d/mo avg (faster than usual)

Model confidence: Low

Top Factors
  • 0% Gbm → 02 Sep 2013
  • 0% Queue Simulation → 01 Dec 2013
  • 0% Fiscal Year Cycle → 01 Dec 2013
EB-2 ROW Volatile

Next predicted cutoff: 15 Jul 2024

Pace: 26.9 d/mo avg (faster than usual)

Model confidence: Moderate

EB-3 China Volatile

Next predicted cutoff: 01 Jan 2022

Pace: 30.4 d/mo avg

Model confidence: Moderate

Top Factors
  • 0% Gbm → 19 Feb 2022
  • 0% Queue Simulation → 01 Jan 2022
  • 0% Fiscal Year Cycle → 01 Jan 2022
EB-3 India Volatile

Next predicted cutoff: 15 Aug 2014

Pace: 26.5 d/mo avg (faster than usual)

Model confidence: Low

Top Factors
  • 0% Gbm → 18 Oct 2014
  • 0% Queue Simulation → 01 Aug 2014
  • 0% Fiscal Year Cycle → 15 Aug 2014
EB-3 ROW Advancing

Next predicted cutoff: 01 Jul 2023

Pace: 12.6 d/mo avg (slower than usual)

Model confidence: Moderate

Expert Model Signals
  • EB-1 China shows **volatile** behavior with unpredictable swings.
  • EB-1 India shows **volatile** behavior with unpredictable swings.
  • EB-2 China shows **volatile** behavior with unpredictable swings.
  • EB-2 India shows **volatile** behavior with unpredictable swings.
  • EB-2 ROW shows **volatile** behavior with unpredictable swings.
  • EB-3 China shows **volatile** behavior with unpredictable swings.
  • EB-3 India shows **volatile** behavior with unpredictable swings.
  • EB-3 ROW is in an **advancing** pattern with consistent forward movement.

Analysis generated from the Bulletin Forecast Model using historical bulletin data, I-140 demand signals, and fiscal year patterns. Model confidence varies by series. Expand "Model Breakdown" on any prediction to see individual expert signals.