Moderate advancement in some employment-based categories

Moderate advancement in some employment-based categories

Priority-date cutoffs will advance modestly in some employment-based categories, according to the Final Action Dates published Friday in the State Department’s April Visa Bulletin.

Key movements in the April Visa Bulletin:

EB-1

  • China EB-1 will advance one week to June 8, 2017.
  • India EB-1 will not advance or retrogress; the priority-date cutoff will remain at May 1, 2015.
  • All other countries under EB-1 will advance three months to June 1, 2019.

EB-2

  • China EB-2 will advance approximately two weeks to Sept. 1, 2015.
  • India EB-2 will advance three days to May 25, 2009.
  • All other countries under EB-2 will remain current.

EB-3

  • China EB-3 will advance 3 ½ weeks to April 15, 2016.
  • India EB-3 will advance one week to Jan. 22, 2009.
  • The cutoff for all other countries in the EB-3 category will not advance or retrogress, and will remain at Jan. 1, 2017.

Final Action Dates for Employment-Based Preference Cases:

Preference All Other Countries China El Salvador Guatemala Honduras India Mexico Philippines Vietnam
EB-1 June 1, 2019 June 8, 2017 June 1, 2019 May 1, 2015 June 1, 2019 June 1, 2019 June 1, 2019
EB-2 Current Sept. 1, 2015 Current May 25, 2009 Current Current Current
EB-3 Jan. 1, 2017 April 15, 2016 Jan. 1, 2017 Jan. 22, 2009 Jan. 1, 2017 Jan. 1, 2017 Jan. 1, 2017

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

Dates for Filing for Employment-Based Preference Cases:

Preference All Other Countries China El Salvador Guatemala Honduras India Mexico Philippines
EB-1 Current Oct. 1, 2017 Current March 15, 2017 Current Current
EB-2 Current Aug. 1, 2016 Current July 1, 2009 Current Current
EB-3 Jan. 1, 2019 March 1, 2017 Jan. 1, 2019 Feb. 1, 2010 Jan. 1, 2019 Jan. 1, 2019

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

Copyright © 2020 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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