Priority-date cutoffs will advance modestly in most key employment-based categories, but the Dates for Filing cutoff for India EB-3 will retrogress by one year, according to the State Department’s December Visa Bulletin.

Final Action Dates: Key Movements

EB-1

  • China EB-1 and India EB-1 will advance four months to April 1, 2019
  • All other countries under EB-1 will remain current.

EB-2

  • China EB-2 will advance eight days to May 1, 2016
  • India EB-2 will advance eight days to Oct. 1, 2009.
  • All other countries under EB-2 will remain current.

EB-3

  • China EB-3 will advance one month to Nov. 1, 2017
  • India EB-3 will advance 15 days to March 15, 2010.
  • All other countries under EB-3 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 Current April 1, 2019 Current April 1, 2019 Current Current Current
EB-2 Current May 1, 2016 Current Oct. 1, 2009 Current Current Current
EB-3 Current Nov. 1, 2017 Current March 15, 2010 Current Current Current

Dates for Filing: Key Movements

EB-1

  • China EB-1 and India EB- 1 will advance two months to Nov. 1, 2020.
  • All other countries under EB-1 will remain current.

EB-2

  • China EB-2 will remain at Oct. 1, 2016.
  • India EB-2 will remain at May 15, 2011.
  • All other countries under EB-2 will remain current.

EB-3

  • China EB-3 will remain at June 1, 2018.
  • India EB-3 will retrogress one year to Jan. 1, 2014.
  • All other countries under EB-3 will remain current.

Dates for Filing for Employment-Based Preference Cases:

Preference All Other Countries China El Salvador Guatemala Honduras India Mexico Philippines
EB-1 Current Nov. 1, 2020 Current Nov. 1, 2020 Current Current
EB-2 Current Oct. 1, 2016 Current May 15, 2011 Current Current
EB-3 Current June 1, 2018 Current Jan. 1, 2014 Current Current


U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will announce soon via a web posting whether it will use the Final Action Dates or Dates for Filing chart. BAL will update clients once officials confirm whether the chart can be used.

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

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