COVID-19 United States

Advancement in most employment-based categories

16 Jun 20

UNITED STATES

Priority-date cutoffs will advance significantly in some employment-based categories and more modestly in others, according to the State Department’s July Visa Bulletin.

Key movements in the July Visa Bulletin:

EB-1

  • China EB-1 will advance one week to Aug. 22, 2017.
  • India EB-1 will advance more than 11 months to May 8, 2017.
  • All other countries under EB-1 will remain current.

EB-2

  • China EB-2 will advance one week to Nov. 8, 2015.
  • India EB-2 will advance nearly a month to July 8, 2009.
  • All other countries under EB-2 will remain current.

EB-3

  • China EB-3 will advance one week to June 22, 2016.
  • India EB-3 will advance two months to June 1, 2009.
  • The cutoff for all other countries will advance more than four months April 15, 2018.

Final Action Dates for Employment-Based Preference Cases:

Preference All Other Countries China El Salvador Guatemala Honduras India Mexico Philippines Vietnam
EB-1 Current Aug. 22, 2017 Current May 8, 2017 Current Current Current
EB-2 Current Nov. 8, 2015 Current July 8, 2009 Current Current Current
EB-3 April 15, 2018 June 22, 2016 April 15, 2018 June 1, 2009 April 15, 2018 April 15, 2018 April 15, 2018

The State Department also released its Dates for Filing chart for July. 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 April, President Trump issued a proclamation temporarily suspending the entry of immigrant-visa applicants for 60 days. Since U.S. consulates had already suspended routine visa operations abroad because of COVID-19, the order has had a limited impact. In addition, several categories of people are excluded from the suspension, including U.S. lawful permanent residents, spouses and unmarried children under 21 of U.S. citizens, foreign healthcare professionals performing research to combat the spread of COVID-19, those applying for EB-5 immigrant investor visas, members of the U.S. Armed Forces and those who would further U.S. law enforcement objectives or whose entry is in the national interest.

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

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