Important Updates
Important Updates
July 31, 2025 | 🌐Minimum Salary Changes Announced
August 1, 2025 | MalaysiaMalaysia: Enhanced Online Interview Feature for Certain Applications Forthcoming
August 1, 2025 | United KingdomTimes Higher Education: More Universities Put on ‘Action Plans’ as Home Office Gets Tough
August 1, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: Federal District Court Postpones TPS Terminations for Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua
July 31, 2025 | United StatesLaw360: Grappling With Workforce-Related Immigration Enforcement
July 31, 2025 | 🌐Minimum Salary Changes Announced
August 1, 2025 | MalaysiaMalaysia: Enhanced Online Interview Feature for Certain Applications Forthcoming
August 1, 2025 | United KingdomTimes Higher Education: More Universities Put on ‘Action Plans’ as Home Office Gets Tough
August 1, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: Federal District Court Postpones TPS Terminations for Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua
July 31, 2025 | United StatesLaw360: Grappling With Workforce-Related Immigration Enforcement
July 31, 2025 | 🌐Minimum Salary Changes Announced
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationTravel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapHumanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)Vietnamese ImmigrationAustralian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Travel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Humanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • Australian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
  • Insights

February 2019 Visa Bulletin: Modest Advancement in Cutoff Dates Overall; EB-1 Projected to Advance Through May 2019, But Will Remain Backlogged

January 11, 2019

insight-news-default

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

At a glance

  • EB-1 will advance by two months for most countries, to December 1, 2017; China and India will advance by seven weeks, to February 8, 2017.
  • EB-2 will advance by two months for China, to October 1, 2015, and by less than one week for India, to April 6, 2009. Remaining countries will remain current.
  • The EB-3 subcategory for Professionals and Skilled Workers will remain current for most countries, though China will advance by three weeks to July 1, 2015, and India will advance almost two months to April 22, 2009.

The situation

According to the State Department’s February Visa Bulletin, cutoff dates for issuance of an immigrant visa will be as follows:

  • EB-1: All countries except China and India will advance by two months, to December 1, 2017. China and India will advance by seven weeks, to February 8, 2017.  
  • EB-2: All countries will remain current, except for China and India. China will advance by two months, to October 1, 2015, while India will advance less than a week to April 6, 2009. 
  • EB-3 (Professional and Skilled Workers): Most countries will remain current, while China will advance three weeks to July 1, 2015, and India will advance almost two months to April 22, 2009. The Philippines will advance by five weeks to August 1, 2017.
  • EB-5: The Non-Regional Center category will remain the same for China at September 1, 2014. Vietnam will advance two weeks to June 15, 2016. As discussed below, the Regional Center category is currently unavailable due to its program expiration. 


In the coming days, USCIS is expected to announce on its own Visa Bulletin web page the cutoff dates for acceptance of adjustment of status applications next month. USCIS has indicated that it anticipates using the State Department’s Final Action dates as soon as February 2019.  For the last several months, USCIS has used the State Department’s Dates for Filing, a notable change from its usual practices.

Impact of program expirations

The EB-4 Non-Minister Religious Worker and EB-5 Regional Center programs expired at midnight on December 21, 2018 and have not yet been reauthorized by legislation. Immigrant visas in these EB-4 and EB-5 subcategories will continue to be unavailable and affected cases will not be approved unless and until legislation is passed to reauthorize the programs. The EB-5 Non-Regional Center program is not affected.

Immigrant visa availability in the coming months

The State Department projects the following monthly cut-off date movements through May 2019:

  • EB-1: China and India expected to advance up to one month. Other countries to advance up to two months.
  • EB-2: China to advance up to three months; India to advance up to one week. All other countries expected to remain current for the foreseeable future.
  • EB-3: China to advance up to three weeks; India to advance up to three months. Rapid movement for the Philippines. Remaining countries expected to remain current.
  • EB-4: Mexico to advance “rapidly”; El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras to advance up to one week. Other countries to remain current.
  • EB-5: China to advance up to one week; Vietnam to advance up to three weeks. Other countries to remain current.

FINAL ACTION CUT-OFF DATES FOR FEBRUARY 2019

EB-1
China and India: February 8, 2017
All other countries: December 1, 2017

EB-2
China: October 1, 2015
India: April 6, 2009
All other countries: Current

EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
China: July 1, 2015
India: April 22, 2009
Philippines: August 1, 2017
All other countries: Current

EB-3 Other Workers
China: August 1, 2007
India: April 22, 2009
Philippines: August 1, 2017
All other countries: Current

EB-4*
El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras: March 1, 2016
Mexico: September 1, 2017
All other countries: Current
* The EB-4 Non-Religious Worker program is unavailable for all countries until it is reauthorized by legislation.

EB-5*
China: September 1, 2014
Vietnam: June 15, 2016
All other countries: Current
* The Regional Center program is unavailable for all countries until it is reauthorized by legislation.

FILING ELIGIBILITY CUT-OFF DATES FOR FEBRUARY 2019

EB-1
China and India: October 1, 2017
All other countries: June 1, 2018

EB-2
China: November 1, 2015
India: May 22, 2009
All other countries: Current

EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
China: January 1, 2016
India: April 1, 2010
Philippines: October 1, 2017
All other countries: Current

EB-3 Other Workers
China: June 1, 2008
India: April 1, 2010
Philippines: October 1, 2017
All other countries: Current

EB-4
El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras: May 1, 2016
All other countries: Current

EB-5
China: October 1, 2014
Current for all other countries and subcategories

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
 

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions

Times Higher Education: More Universities Put on ‘Action Plans’ as Home Office Gets Tough

Senior Manager Jonathan Hill noted that stricter UKVI audits and asylum claim reviews are driving more student visa action plans.

Learn more

Media mentions

Law360: Grappling With Workforce-Related Immigration Enforcement

Partner K. Edward Raleigh and Associate Anna I. Perina explore how changing immigration enforcement is affecting workforce planning and compliance for US employers.

Learn more

Blog post

Updating Articles of Association (AoA) in Saudi Arabia: What Companies Need to Know

Corporate Services Manager Asfandyar Sheikh and Assistant Corporate Services Manager Ka-Ying Leung provide guidance for businesses on the legal and procedural requirements for amending their AoA in Saudi Arabia.

Learn more

Blog post

Green Card Backlogs and Visa Bulletin Trends: What Employers Can Do In 2025 and Beyond

Counsel Susan Steger discusses how US employers can navigate ongoing green card delays and shifting visa bulletin trends to better support foreign talent and workforce planning.

Learn more

Media mentions

C21 Media: How to Prepare for Immigration Reforms Under the UK Industrial Strategy

Senior Manager Sean Rhodes and Associate Milosz Skorupski outline how UK immigration reforms will affect creative businesses and highlight key considerations for planning ahead.

Learn more

Awards

WirtschaftsWoche Recognises Fragomen and Partner Axel Boysen as Best in Migration Law

WirtschaftsWoche names Fragomen to its "Best Law Firms 2025" list and Partner Axel Boysen to its "Best Lawyers 2025" list in the field of migration law for private individuals. 

Learn more

Media mentions

Arab News: Saudi Arabia’s High-End Dining Scene Fuels Culinary and Cultural RevivalLearn more

Awards

Fragomen Ranks as Band 1 in Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Legal Guide 2025

Fragomen is ranked in Band 1 in Chambers & Partners High Net Worth Legal Guide 2025.

Learn more

Media mentions

Toronto Star: Ford and Other Premiers Want Provincial Work Permits for Refugee Claimants. It May Not Solve Anything

Partner Rick Lamanna discusses the potential option of decentralizing work permit issuance in Canada, emphasizing the need for clear coordination between the provincial and federal governments.

Learn more
Generic Insights

Video

Transfer Tactics & Talent Pipelines – The UK Angle with Alex Hood ⚽ | #FragomenFC - Ep. 10

Fragomen FC hosts are joined by Manager Alexander Hood to examine how immigration rules are reshaping global football, from EPL transfers to the rise of international transfers into the Women’s Super League.

Learn more

Media mentions

The PIE: More Declines Loom in “Seriously Concerning” US Visa Trends

Partner Aaron Blumberg noted that enhanced screening measures, including social media vetting, may be contributing to delays in US student visa processing.

Learn more

Media mentions

Construction Management: Immigration Reforms: What’s Next for Construction Employers?

Associate Ilaria Iovieno outlines how recent UK immigration reforms will impact construction employers and their ability to sponsor overseas talent.

Learn more

Media mentions

Times Higher Education: More Universities Put on ‘Action Plans’ as Home Office Gets Tough

Senior Manager Jonathan Hill noted that stricter UKVI audits and asylum claim reviews are driving more student visa action plans.

Learn more

Media mentions

Law360: Grappling With Workforce-Related Immigration Enforcement

Partner K. Edward Raleigh and Associate Anna I. Perina explore how changing immigration enforcement is affecting workforce planning and compliance for US employers.

Learn more

Blog post

Updating Articles of Association (AoA) in Saudi Arabia: What Companies Need to Know

Corporate Services Manager Asfandyar Sheikh and Assistant Corporate Services Manager Ka-Ying Leung provide guidance for businesses on the legal and procedural requirements for amending their AoA in Saudi Arabia.

Learn more

Blog post

Green Card Backlogs and Visa Bulletin Trends: What Employers Can Do In 2025 and Beyond

Counsel Susan Steger discusses how US employers can navigate ongoing green card delays and shifting visa bulletin trends to better support foreign talent and workforce planning.

Learn more

Media mentions

C21 Media: How to Prepare for Immigration Reforms Under the UK Industrial Strategy

Senior Manager Sean Rhodes and Associate Milosz Skorupski outline how UK immigration reforms will affect creative businesses and highlight key considerations for planning ahead.

Learn more

Awards

WirtschaftsWoche Recognises Fragomen and Partner Axel Boysen as Best in Migration Law

WirtschaftsWoche names Fragomen to its "Best Law Firms 2025" list and Partner Axel Boysen to its "Best Lawyers 2025" list in the field of migration law for private individuals. 

Learn more

Media mentions

Arab News: Saudi Arabia’s High-End Dining Scene Fuels Culinary and Cultural RevivalLearn more

Awards

Fragomen Ranks as Band 1 in Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Legal Guide 2025

Fragomen is ranked in Band 1 in Chambers & Partners High Net Worth Legal Guide 2025.

Learn more

Media mentions

Toronto Star: Ford and Other Premiers Want Provincial Work Permits for Refugee Claimants. It May Not Solve Anything

Partner Rick Lamanna discusses the potential option of decentralizing work permit issuance in Canada, emphasizing the need for clear coordination between the provincial and federal governments.

Learn more
Generic Insights

Video

Transfer Tactics & Talent Pipelines – The UK Angle with Alex Hood ⚽ | #FragomenFC - Ep. 10

Fragomen FC hosts are joined by Manager Alexander Hood to examine how immigration rules are reshaping global football, from EPL transfers to the rise of international transfers into the Women’s Super League.

Learn more

Media mentions

The PIE: More Declines Loom in “Seriously Concerning” US Visa Trends

Partner Aaron Blumberg noted that enhanced screening measures, including social media vetting, may be contributing to delays in US student visa processing.

Learn more

Media mentions

Construction Management: Immigration Reforms: What’s Next for Construction Employers?

Associate Ilaria Iovieno outlines how recent UK immigration reforms will impact construction employers and their ability to sponsor overseas talent.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.