Priority cutoff dates will advance modestly across EB-2 and EB-3 categories, according to the January Visa Bulletin.

Key movements in cutoff dates: 

  • China EB-2 will advance by five weeks to Aug. 8, 2013, while China EB-3 will advance by five weeks to April 15, 2014.
  • India EB-2 will advance by three weeks to Nov. 22, 2008, while India EB-3 will advance by two weeks to Nov. 1, 2006.
  • Philippines EB-3 will advance by one month to Feb. 15, 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 Aug. 8, 2013 Current Nov. 22, 2008 Current Current Current
EB-3 April 15, 2014 Current Nov. 1, 2006 Current Feb. 15, 2016 Current

The State Department also released its Dates for Filing chart for January 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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