November Visa Bulletin Update: USCIS to Again Honor Dates for Filing Next Month
October 18, 2019

At a glance
In November, USCIS will accept employment-based adjustment applications from foreign nationals with a priority date that is earlier than the Dates for Filing listed in the State Department's November Visa Bulletin.
Employment-Based Priority Date Cut-offs for November 2019
To be eligible to file an employment-based adjustment application in November, employer-sponsored foreign nationals must have a priority date that is earlier than the date listed below for their preference category and country.
For the second consecutive month, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has chosen to honor the Department of State Dates for Filing chart, rather than the Final Action Date chart. The Dates for Filing remain unchanged from last month and are more favorable than the Final Action dates for November.
DATES FOR FILING CUT-OFF DATES FOR NOVEMBER 2019
EB-1
China: September 1, 2017
India: March 15, 2017
All other countries: July 1, 2019
EB-2
China: August 1, 2016
India: July 1, 2009
All other countries: Current
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
China: March 1, 2017
India: February 1, 2010
All other countries: Current
EB-3 Other Workers
China: August 1, 2008
India: February 1, 2010
All other countries: Current
EB-4
El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras: August 15, 2016
All other countries: Current
EB-5
China: January 1, 2015
All other countries: Current
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
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