Priority-date cutoffs will advance in most key employment-based categories next month, according to the State Department’s September Visa Bulletin. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) confirmed that the Final Action Dates chart will control filing eligibility.

Key movements in Final Action Dates in September: 

EB-1

  • All countries under EB-1 will remain current.

EB-2

  • China EB-2 will advance three months to July 1, 2018.
  • India EB-2 will advance three months to Sept. 1, 2011.
  • All other countries under EB-2 will remain current.

EB-3

  • China EB-3 will remain at Jan. 8, 2019.
  • India EB-3 will advance six months to Jan 1, 2014.
  • All other countries under EB-3 will remain current.

Final Action Dates for Employment-Based Preference Cases:

Preference All Other Countries China El Salvador Guatemala Honduras India Mexico Philippines Vietnam
EB-1 Current Current Current Current Current Current Current
EB-2 Current July 1, 2018 Current Sept. 1, 2011 Current Current Current
EB-3 Current Jan. 8, 2019 Current Jan. 1, 2014 Current Current Current

Additional Information: September will mark the ninth time this fiscal year that USCIS will use Final Action Dates for employment-based adjustment-of-status applications. Family-based applicants may 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.

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