• by Santhosh Rao

INTRODUCTION

November 2025 was quiet month for U.S. Immigration. GLF provided updates via Google, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram on following U.S. Immigration matters, including:

1. DOS Cable Signals A Tougher Stance On Public Charge Decisions
2. OFLC Issues Filing Accommodations After Shutdown (Oct 1–31, 2025)
3. State Department’s December Visa Bulletin – Key Updates

We at GLF post regular updates on our Google, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram handles. Additionally, we also periodically send out GLF Newsletters when the subject matter is extensive and relevant for a detailed analysis. Presented below is a consolidated summary of updates posted on GLF’s various social media handles for November 2025.

DOS CABLE SIGNALS A TOUGHER STANCE ON PUBLIC CHARGE DECISIONS

Department of State cable issued around November 6, 2025, reportedly expands how consular officers should apply INA 212(a)(4) public charge rules. While still using the “totality of the circumstances” test, officers must now scrutinize medical exams more closely and issue 221(g) requests if chronic physical or mental conditions. Even non-classified conditions like obesity may raise future financial-burden concerns.

The cable also instructs officers to weigh other negative indicators more heavily. Limited English proficiency, low-skill work history, and any past public assistance including benefits received abroad can contribute to a public charge finding. Affidavits of support are emphasized as only one factor rather than a deciding element.

Finally, the guidance reaffirms that 212(a)(4) applies to certain non-immigrant categories such as H-1B and L. This signals a broader, more probing review of applicants’ financial self-sufficiency across both immigrant and select non-immigrant visas

OFLC ISSUES FILING ACCOMMODATIONS AFTER SHUTDOWN (OCT 1–31, 2025):

1. Manual Entry: OFLC will input all shutdown-period filings; duplicates may cause denials.
2. No Withdrawals: Requests to withdraw filings submitted during this period will not be processed.
3. PERM Recruitment Extended: Recruitment expiring Oct 1–Nov 2 receives an automatic 33-day extension.
4. Response/appeal deadlines extended: RFIs, audits, NOAs, NODs, reconsiderations, and appeals all receive a 33-day extension.
5. Additional Time: Additional extensions may be requested via FLAG or the OFLC HelpDesk.

These measures aim to ease processing delays caused by the month-long system suspension

STATE DEPARTMENT’S DECEMBER VISA BULLETIN – KEY UPDATES:

The State Department has released the December 2025 Visa Bulletin. Both Family-Sponsored and Employment-Based applicants must use the Dates for Filing chart.

Family-Sponsored (India):

1. F-1: Final Action 11/08/2016; Filing 09/01/2017 (unchanged)
2. F-2A: Final Action 02/01/2024; Filing 11/22/2025 (advances)
3. F-2B, F-3: No changes

Employment-Based (India):

1. EB-1: Final Action 03/15/2022; Filing 04/15/2023
2. EB-2: Final Action 05/15/2013; Filing 12/01/2013
3. EB-3: Final Action 09/22/2013; Filing 08/15/2014
4. EB-4/Religious Workers: Final Action 09/01/2020; Filing 02/15/2021 (SR category reopens)

The DV-2026 program is reduced to 52,000 visas.

Religious Workers (SR) Update:

Under H.R. 5371 (Nov 12, 2025), the SR category is extended to Jan 30, 2026. No SR visas or adjustments may be approved after Jan 29, 2026. Visas issued before that date are valid only until Jan 29, 2026. The December SR Final Action Date remains Sept 1, 2020, for all countries

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