Priority-date cutoffs will advance modestly in most employment-based categories, according to the State Department’s February Visa Bulletin. USCIS confirmed it will use the Final Action Dates chart for adjustment-of-status applications next month.

Key Movements:

EB-1

  • China EB-1 will advance four months to Jan. 1, 2020.
  • India EB-1 will also advance four months to Jan. 1, 2020.
  • All other countries under EB-1 will remain current.

EB-2

  • China EB-2 will advance two weeks to June 15, 2016.
  • India EB-2 will advance four days to Oct. 12, 2009.
  • All other countries under EB-2 will remain current.

EB-3

  • China EB-3 will advance a little more than two weeks to Jan. 1, 2018.
  • India EB-3 will advance nine days to April 1, 2010.
  • 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
EB-1 Current Jan. 1, 2020 Current Jan. 1, 2020 Current Current
EB-2 Current June 15, 2016 Current Oct. 12, 2009 Current Current
EB-3 Current Jan. 1, 2018 Current April 1, 2010 Current Current

Additional Information: Priority-date cutoffs advanced dramatically in the October Visa Bulletin, did not change in November and advanced modestly in most categories in December. Priority cutoff dates retrogressed sharply in January following USICS’s switch to the Final Action Dates after it used Dates for Filing for the first three months of the fiscal year.

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

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