November Visa Bulletin: Advancement in most EB-2 categories, retrogression in most EB-3 categories

The State Department released the November Visa Bulletin, showing priority-date cutoffs will advance in EB-2 categories and retrogress in EB-3 categories next month. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) confirmed that it will follow the State Department’s Dates for Filing chart to determine filing eligibility next month.

Dates for Filing – Key Movements:

EB-1

• All countries under EB-1 will remain current.

EB-2

• China EB-2 advanced by five months to Feb. 1, 2019.
• India EB-2 advanced by six months to Jan. 8, 2013.
• All other countries under EB-2 will remain current.

EB-3

• China EB-3 retrogressed by nine months and 14 days to April 1, 2018.
• India EB-3 retrogressed by nearly two years to Jan. 22, 2012.
• All other countries under EB-3 will remain current.

Dates for Filing Employment-Based Preference Cases:

Additional Information: USCIS confirmed that it will also use Dates for Filing for family-based applicants, except for F2A category applicants, who may use Final Action Dates.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.