Visa Bulletin update: Final Action Dates to be used for employment-based adjustment-of-status applicants in July

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

The Dates for Filing chart published in the State Department’s July Visa Bulletin will not apply. Employment-based immigrants must follow the 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 July.

Final Action Dates for Employment-Based Preference Cases:

BAL Analysis: July will mark the fourth time this fiscal year that USCIS will use Final Action Dates for employment-based adjustment-of-status applications. The Final Action Dates chart is less progressive than the Dates for Filing chart in a number of categories. Family-based applicants must use the applicable Dates for Filing chart, except for F2A category applicants, who may use Final Action Dates.

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.