Key Takeaways
The second half of 2025 is bringing notable movement in U.S. immigration processing—especially for family‑based filings, work authorization renewals, and leadership and fee changes at USCIS—setting the stage for a larger 2026 reform push. USCIS confirmed that for August 2025, family‑based applicants may use the “Dates for Filing” chart (rather than Final Action) to determine if they can file Adjustment of Status—an opening that can materially speed up when people may file even if they still must wait for final approval later.
At the same time, new USCIS fees tied to H.R. 1 have begun rolling out, with a hard rejection date for incorrect fees after August 21, 2025. Applicants should double‑check checks/credit card forms before mailing.
What’s Changing Right Now
Filing Window: Family Categories Use “Dates for Filing” in August
USCIS has directed family‑based applicants to follow the Dates for Filing (DFF) chart for August 2025, which can allow many families to submit Adjustment of Status (AOS) earlier than if they were limited to the Final Action chart. That is a meaningful, practical accelerator for filing EAD/AP and locking in benefits while the green card case proceeds.
- Independent immigration analyses note that F2A (spouses and minor children of permanent residents) Dates for Filing advanced to April 1, 2025 this month (Final Action remains much earlier). That means more families can assemble and file AOS packages now, even if approval must wait for Final Action to become current.
- For authoritative numbers, always consult the State Department Visa Bulletin as well as the USCIS “which chart to use” page. The August 2025 Visa Bulletin and USCIS guidance are the binding references.
Why it matters: Filing earlier often lets applicants apply for work and travel authorization sooner and lock in benefits while waiting for the immigrant visa number to become available.
New Leadership at USCIS
Joseph B. Edlow was confirmed as USCIS Director on July 15, 2025. That confirmation formalizes leadership at the agency as it pursues efficiency, backlogs reduction, and policy shifts heading into FY2026.
Outside observers expect H‑1B program changes to be on the table under the new director, with proposals aimed at favoring higher‑wage employers and tightening anti‑fraud safeguards. (Expect proposals rather than instant changes; rulemaking takes time.)
New USCIS Fees: Check Amounts Before You File
USCIS has published fees required by H.R. 1 through a Federal Register notice and subsequent USCIS alert. Key points:
- Some new fees are already in effect;
- Any filing postmarked on or after Aug. 21, 2025 with the wrong fee will be rejected. Applicants should use the official USCIS fee tables and the new credit card form (if paying by card).
Practical tip: Always download forms and fee tables the same day you file to avoid stale versions. Community blogs and law firm posts are helpful, but USCIS.gov and the Federal Register control.
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Post a Job Now →Work Authorization (EAD): The 540‑Day Auto‑Extension Is Live
To stabilize the labor market during backlogs, DHS made permanent the automatic extension of certain EADs up to 540 days for timely‑filed renewals (effective Jan. 13, 2025). USCIS has an eligibility page and calculator; employers should follow I‑9 guidance that recognizes the 540‑day extension.
Note: USCIS recently added TPS‑specific caveats on the EAD auto‑extension page—always check the alert banner before relying on the full 540 days for TPS‑based EADs. USCIS
What about processing times? They vary by form category and service center, so there’s no universal “average” that fits all. Check the USCIS Processing Times tool for the most accurate, office‑specific estimates.
Domestic Visa Renewal Pilot—And Possible Expansion
The State Department’s domestic visa renewal pilot reopened limited H‑1B renewals inside the U.S. in early 2024 (roughly 20,000 slots). Officials have signaled a goal of broadening domestic renewals, potentially in late 2025, though final scope and eligibility are still being shaped. Applicants should watch travel.state.gov for formal expansion notices.
What This Means for Key Applicant Groups
Family‑Based Applicants (F1/F2A/F2B/F3/F4)
- You can file earlier if your priority date meets the Dates for Filing cutoffs in August. That can unlock EAD/AP while you wait for Final Action to become current.
- Analyses highlight F2A DFF advancing to Apr. 1, 2025, and modest movement elsewhere, including F4 India. Always cross‑check with the Visa Bulletin.
Employment‑Based Applicants
- For August 2025, USCIS instructs employment‑based AOS filers to use the Final Action chart (not DFF). Some EB categories have seen retrogression warnings; planning matters.
- The domestic visa renewal pilot may expand later this year—helpful for some H‑1B workers to avoid international travel just to renew a stamp.
EAD Renewals (Asylum, TPS, Adjustment Applicants, and Others)
- The 540‑day automatic extension can prevent work gaps—but ensure your category qualifies and your renewal is timely‑filed. Employers can rely on USCIS I‑9 guidance documenting the extension.
Policy/Leadership Watch
- With Director Joseph B. Edlow confirmed, watch for policy proposals around H‑1B selection and anti‑fraud rules in FY2026.
Action Checklist for August Filers
- Confirm which chart to use this month.
- Family: Dates for Filing (August). Employment: Final Action (August).
- Recheck fees before you file.
- H.R. 1 fee changes are in motion; wrong fees = rejection on/after Aug. 21, 2025. Federal
- Leverage the EAD 540‑day auto‑extension (if eligible).
- Use USCIS’s calculator and keep the I‑9 handbook references handy for your employer. USCIS+1
- If you’re H‑1B and eligible for domestic renewal, monitor for expansion updates.
- Watch travel.state.gov and official pilot pages; do not rely on rumor.
Looking to 2026: What “Reform” Could Mean
Several 2025 changes (fee modernization, auto‑extensions, domestic renewals pilot, chart usage flexibility) are operational rather than statutory. But they set conditions for a broader 2026 agenda: streamlining adjudications, aligning fee revenue with workload, and expanding domestic stamping to cut consular pressure. The new USCIS leadership will influence where these efforts land—especially on employment‑based visas and integrity measures.
FAQs
1) Can I file my family‑based Adjustment of Status now, even if my Final Action Date isn’t current?
**Possibly, yes—**for August 2025, USCIS says use the Dates for Filing chart for family categories. If your priority date is before your DFF cutoff, you may file AOS (I‑485) now and pursue EAD/AP while you wait for Final Action to become current. Always verify the current month’s instruction page.
2) I heard F2A moved to April 1, 2025—what moved exactly?
The Dates for Filing date for F2A advanced to April 1, 2025, per multiple practitioner summaries. Final Action is different and remains earlier. Check the Visa Bulletin tables directly for your country/chargeability.
3) How long are EADs taking—and can I avoid a work gap?
Processing times vary by category and office (check USCIS’s tool). Many applicants rely on the 540‑day EAD automatic extension for timely‑filed renewals, which is now permanent under DHS rules. Review eligibility before counting on the full 540 days.
4) What happens if I mail the wrong fee after August 21, 2025?
USCIS says filings postmarked on or after Aug. 21, 2025 without the proper fee will be rejected under H.R. 1 fee authorities. Double‑check fee tables on USCIS.gov the day you file.
Final Word
For families and workers, August 2025 offers tangible openings—earlier filing windows, clear fee deadlines, and more certainty around EAD continuity—with broader steps toward modernization in sight for 2026. The most reliable way to stay on track: follow USCIS’s monthly chart instruction, verify current fees, and use official tools to time filings.
