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

Key movements in the June Visa Bulletin:

EB-1

  • China EB-1 will advance one month to Aug. 15, 2017.
  • India EB-1 will advance more than 10 months to June 8, 2016.
  • All other countries under EB-1 will remain current.

EB-2

  • China EB-2 will advance one month to Nov. 1, 2015.
  • India EB-2 will advance ten days to June 12, 2009.
  • All other countries under EB-2 will remain current.

EB-3

  • China EB-3 will advance one month to June 15, 2016.
  • India EB-3 will advance one month to April 1, 2009.
  • The cutoff for all other countries will advance more than 10 months to Nov. 8, 2017.

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. 15, 2017 Current June 8, 2016 Current Current Current
EB-2 Current Nov. 1, 2015 Current June 12, 2009 Current Current Current
EB-3 Nov. 8, 2017 June 15, 2016 Nov. 8, 2017 April 1, 2009 Nov. 8, 2017 Nov. 8, 2017 Nov. 8, 2017

The State Department also released its Dates for Filing chart for June. 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.

Last month, 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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