September 2018 Visa Bulletin update: Final Action Dates to determine employment-based filing eligibility

September 2018 Visa Bulletin update: Final Action Dates to determine employment-based filing eligibility

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has announced that in September it will only accept employment-based adjustment-of-status applications based on the Application Final Action Dates chart.

The Dates for Filing chart published in the State Department’s September Visa Bulletin will not apply. Employment-based immigrants must follow the Application Final Action Dates chart (below) to determine whether they are eligible to file their adjustment-of-status petitions with USCIS. Only applicants with priority dates earlier than the dates listed in the chart will be permitted to file their applications for adjustment of status in September.

Application Final Action Dates for Employment-Based Preference Cases:

Preference China El Salvador Guatemala Honduras India Mexico Philippines All Other Countries
EB-1 Jan. 1, 2012 June 1, 2016 Jan. 1, 2012 June 1, 2016 June 1, 2016 June 1, 2016
EB-2 Jan. 1, 2013 Jan. 1, 2013 Jan. 1, 2007 Jan. 1, 2013 Jan. 1, 2013 Jan. 1, 2013
EB-3 Nov. 1, 2014 Nov. 1, 2016 Jan. 1, 2003 Nov. 1, 2016 Nov. 1, 2016 Nov. 1, 2016

Family-based immigrants will be permitted to use the Dates for Filing chart applicable to family-sponsored immigrants, which was also published in the September Visa Bulletin.

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

Copyright © 2018 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

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