August Visa Bulletin Update - USCIS to Honor Employment-Based Final Action Dates Only Next Month
July 18, 2018
At a glance
In August, USCIS will only accept employment-based adjustment applications from foreign nationals with a priority date that is current for final action under the State Department's August Visa Bulletin.
USCIS will continue to accept, through July 31, adjustment of status applications according to the July Visa Bulletin final action dates, even for EB-1 categories that were immediately retrogressed by the State Department on July 13.
Employment-Based Priority Date Cut-offs for August 2018
To be eligible to file an employment-based adjustment application in August, employer-sponsored foreign nationals must have a priority date that is earlier than the date listed below for their preference category and country.
FINAL ACTION CUT-OFF DATES FOR AUGUST 2018
EB-1
China: January 1, 2012
India: January 1, 2012
All other countries: May 1, 2016
EB-2
China: March 1, 2015
India: March 15, 2009
All other countries: Current
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
China: July 1, 2014
India: January 1, 2009
Philippines: June 1, 2017
All other countries: Current
EB-3 Other Workers
China: May 1, 2007
India: January 1, 2009
Philippines: June 1, 2017
All other countries: Current
EB-4
El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras: February 8, 2016
Mexico: February 8, 2016
India: February 8, 2016
All other countries: Current
EB-5
China: August 1, 2014
Vietnam: August 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.
Explore more at Fragomen
Media mentions
Senior Associate Oliver L. Ashworth and Director David Iannella discuss recent US immigration and visa changes and what German businesses and travelers should know.
Fragomen news
Fragomen announces the expansion of Nomadic to the Nordics, providing end-to-end support for short-term business travel and cross-border compliance.
Blog post
Immigration Supervisor Michael Salas Guzman discusses Costa Rica investment residency options and requirements for foreign investors, retirees and rentiers.
Media mentions
Managing Partner for the Middle East and Africa Murtaza Khan discusses why immigration due diligence is important in GCC mergers.
Fragomen news
Fragomen announces the opening of new offices in Wrocław and Gdańsk, welcoming Partner Karolina Schiffter to its Poland practice.
Blog post
This blog post by Manager Virginie Todesco and Immigration Consultant Chiara Caredda, available in English and Portuguese, outlines the requirements, benefits and application process for obtaining Luxembourg citizenship.
Awards
Fragomen and Regional Partner for the Asia Pacific Mark Buchanan were recognized at the 2025 FEM APAC EMMAs.
Awards
Partner Archana Iyer won the "Innovation Award" at The New York Law Journal's 2025 New York Legal Awards.
Media mentions
Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler discusses how USCIS’s new rule could potentially increase enforcement and affect how applicants interact with the US immigration system.
Blog post
Assistant Business Immigration Manager Raga Rasuanta discusses Indonesia’s post-election immigration strategy and its shift toward balancing openness to global talent with increased regulatory scrutiny.
Fragomen news
Fragomen news
Fragomen announces the appointment of Leah Rogal as Senior Director of its Center for Strategy and Applied Insights.
Media mentions
Senior Associate Oliver L. Ashworth and Director David Iannella discuss recent US immigration and visa changes and what German businesses and travelers should know.
Fragomen news
Fragomen announces the expansion of Nomadic to the Nordics, providing end-to-end support for short-term business travel and cross-border compliance.
Blog post
Immigration Supervisor Michael Salas Guzman discusses Costa Rica investment residency options and requirements for foreign investors, retirees and rentiers.
Media mentions
Managing Partner for the Middle East and Africa Murtaza Khan discusses why immigration due diligence is important in GCC mergers.
Fragomen news
Fragomen announces the opening of new offices in Wrocław and Gdańsk, welcoming Partner Karolina Schiffter to its Poland practice.
Blog post
This blog post by Manager Virginie Todesco and Immigration Consultant Chiara Caredda, available in English and Portuguese, outlines the requirements, benefits and application process for obtaining Luxembourg citizenship.
Awards
Fragomen and Regional Partner for the Asia Pacific Mark Buchanan were recognized at the 2025 FEM APAC EMMAs.
Awards
Partner Archana Iyer won the "Innovation Award" at The New York Law Journal's 2025 New York Legal Awards.
Media mentions
Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler discusses how USCIS’s new rule could potentially increase enforcement and affect how applicants interact with the US immigration system.
Blog post
Assistant Business Immigration Manager Raga Rasuanta discusses Indonesia’s post-election immigration strategy and its shift toward balancing openness to global talent with increased regulatory scrutiny.
Fragomen news
Fragomen news
Fragomen announces the appointment of Leah Rogal as Senior Director of its Center for Strategy and Applied Insights.