Priority cutoff dates will advance significantly for EB-3 China and modestly for EB-2 and EB-3 China and India, according to the State Department’s February Visa Bulletin.

Key movements in cutoff dates: 

  • China EB-2 will advance by two months to Oct. 1, 2013, while China EB-3 will advance by five months to Sept. 15, 2014.
  • India EB-2 will advance by two weeks to Dec. 8, 2008, while India EB-3 will advance by one month to Dec. 1, 2006.
  • Philippines EB-3 will advance by two weeks to March 1, 2016.

Additional notes: All EB-1 categories will remain current, as will all EB-2 categories other than China and India. The EB-3 categories for El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, Mexico and All Other Chargeability Areas will also remain current.

Application Final Action Dates for Employment-Based Preference Cases:

Preference China El Salvador Guatemala Honduras India Mexico Philippines All Other Countries
EB-1 Current Current Current Current Current Current
EB-2 Oct. 1, 2013 Current Dec. 8, 2008 Current Current Current
EB-3 Sept. 15, 2014 Current Dec. 1, 2006 Current Mar. 1, 2016 Current

The State Department also released its Dates for Filing chart for February 2018. Applicants seeking to file for adjustment of status are reminded that the Dates for Filing 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 the State Department confirms whether the chart can be used in January.

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

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