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

Key movements in priority cutoff dates: 

  • EB-2 will advance three months to Feb. 1, 2008, while India EB-3 will advance by one week to March 15, 2005.
  • China EB-2 will advance by more than two months to Sept. 22, 2012, while China EB-3 will advance nearly three months to July 1, 2013.
  • The Philippines EB-3 category will advance two months to June 1, 2011.
  • EB-3 categories for Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and All Other Chargeability Areas will remain at July 1, 2016.

Additional notes: All EB-1 categories will remain current. All EB-2 categories other than India and China 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 Sept. 22, 2012 Current Feb. 1, 2008 Current Current Current
EB-3 July 1, 2013 July 1, 2016 March 15, 2005 July 1, 2016 Jun 1, 2011 July 1, 2016

The State Department also released its Dates for Filing chart for December 2016. Applicants seeking to file for adjustment of status are reminded that the chart does not take effect unless USCIS confirms it via a web posting in the next week or so. BAL will update clients once the State Department confirms whether the chart can be used in December.

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

Copyright © 2016 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.