The U.S. State Department released the August Visa Bulletin, showing that most key employment categories remained the same, with only India advancing under EB-2 and EB-3.

Final Action Dates Movement:

EB-1

  • China EB-1 will remain the same.
  • India EB-1 will remain the same.
  • All other countries under EB-1, including Mexico and the Philippines, will remain current.

EB-2

  • China EB-2 will remain the same.
  • India EB-2 will advance one month to July 15, 2012.
  • All other countries under EB-2, including Mexico and the Philippines, will remain the same.

EB-3

  • China EB-3 will remain the same.
  • India EB-3 will advance one month to Oct. 22, 2012.
  • All other countries under EB-3, including Mexico and the Philippines, will remain the same.

Final Action Dates for Employment-Based Preference Cases:

Preference All Other Countries China India Mexico Philippines
EB-1 Current Nov. 1, 2022 Feb. 1, 2022 Current Current
EB-2 March 15, 2023 March 1, 2020 July 15, 2012 March 15, 2023 March 15, 2023
EB-3 Dec. 1, 2021 Sept. 1, 2020 Oct. 22, 2012 Dec. 1, 2021 Dec. 1, 2021

Additional Information: As the State Department noted, demand and number use has remained high in the EB-3 visa category. Although retrogression has not been necessary for August, it will likely be necessary to either retrogress the final action date or make the category “Unavailable” in September. BAL will continue to monitor the State Department’s actions and report on updates accordingly.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will announce which chart it will use to determine filing eligibility here.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group.

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