United States

Visa Bulletin: Minimal advancement in most employment-based categories

18 Dec 19

UNITED STATES

Priority-date cutoffs will see minimal or no advancement in most employment-based categories next month, according to the Final Action Dates published Monday in the State Department’s January Visa Bulletin.

Key movements in the January Visa Bulletin.

EB-1

  • China EB-1 will advance one week to May 22, 2017.
  • India EB-1 will remain at Jan. 1, 2015.
  • All other countries under EB-1 will advance 2 ½ months to Oct. 1, 2018.

EB-2

  • China EB-2 will advance nine days to July 1, 2015.
  • India EB-2 will advance three days to May 18, 2009.
  • All other countries under EB-2 will remain current.

EB-3

  • China EB-3 will advance one month to Dec. 1, 2015.
  • India EB-3 will remain at Jan. 1, 2009.
  • Philippines EB-3 will advance 14 days to March 15 2018.
  • All other EB-3 countries will remain current.

Final Action Dates for Employment-Based Preference Cases:

Preference All Other Countries China El Salvador Guatemala Honduras India Mexico Philippines Vietnam
EB-1 Oct. 1, 2018 May 22, 2017 Oct. 1, 2018 Jan. 1, 2015 Oct. 1, 2018 Oct. 1, 2018 Oct. 1, 2018
EB-2 Current July 1, 2015 Current May 18, 2009 Current Current Current
EB-3 Current Dec. 1, 2015 Current Jan. 1, 2009 Current March 15, 2018 Current

The State Department also released its Dates for Filing chart for January. Applicants seeking to file for adjustment of status are reminded that the chart does not take effect unless U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services confirms that it does via a web posting in the coming days. BAL will update clients once officials confirm whether the chart can be used in January.

Dates for Filing for Employment-Based Preference Cases:

Preference All Other Countries China El Salvador Guatemala Honduras India Mexico Philippines
EB-1 Current Oct. 1, 2017 Current March 15, 2017 Current Current
EB-2 Current Aug. 1, 2016 Current July 1, 2009 Current Current
EB-3 Jan. 1, 2019 March 1, 2017 Jan. 1, 2019 Feb. 1, 2010 Jan. 1, 2019 Jan. 1, 2019


Additional notes: The visa bulletin predicted little forward movement in most employment-based categories in the coming months, with the exception of Worldwide EB-1, which could see dates become current. The bulletin said priority cutoff dates could be imposed in the Worldwide EB-2 category in the second half of the fiscal year and in the Worldwide EB-3 category in March or earlier.

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

Copyright © 2019 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.

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