Important Updates
Important Updates
September 3, 2025 | KuwaitKuwait: Resumption of Commercial Visit Visa Issuance for Pakistani Nationals
September 4, 2025 | OmanOman: New Licensing Requirement for Select Roles 
September 4, 2025 | UgandaUganda/Mozambique: Visa Waiver Implemented
September 4, 2025 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Clarification on Costs That Can be Recouped from Sponsored Workers
September 3, 2025 | GhanaGhana: National Petroleum Authority Letter Required for Some Petroleum Companies
September 3, 2025 | KuwaitKuwait: Resumption of Commercial Visit Visa Issuance for Pakistani Nationals
September 4, 2025 | OmanOman: New Licensing Requirement for Select Roles 
September 4, 2025 | UgandaUganda/Mozambique: Visa Waiver Implemented
September 4, 2025 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Clarification on Costs That Can be Recouped from Sponsored Workers
September 3, 2025 | GhanaGhana: National Petroleum Authority Letter Required for Some Petroleum Companies
September 3, 2025 | KuwaitKuwait: Resumption of Commercial Visit Visa Issuance for Pakistani Nationals
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
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 ImmigrationView More
  • 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
  • View More

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
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
  • Insights

December 2020 Visa Bulletin: Final Action Dates Advance in Most Categories; EB-3 India Dates for Filing Retrogresses By One Year

November 20, 2020

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 China and EB-1 India Final Action dates will advance by four months to April 1, 2019. 
  • EB-2 China will advance by over one week to May 1, 2016, and EB-2 India will advance by over one week to October 1, 2009.
  • EB-3 China will advance one month to November 1, 2017, and EB-3 India will advance two weeks to March 15, 2010.
  • EB-5 China will remain at August 15, 2015, and EB-5 Vietnam will advance by two weeks to September 1, 2017. 
  • The Dates for Filing cutoff for EB-3 India will retrogress by one year. Dates for Filing for the remaining categories are largely unchanged from November or advance moderately. 

A closer look 

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

  • EB-1: All countries except for China and India will remain current in November. China and India will advance by four months to April 1, 2019.
  • EB-2: China and India will each advance by over one week, to May 1, 2016 and October 1, 2009, respectively. All other countries will remain current.
  • EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers: Cutoff dates for China will advance one month to November 1, 2017, and for India will advance two weeks to March 15, 2010.  All other countries will remain current in November.
  • EB-5: The Non-Regional Center programs will remain current for all countries except China and Vietnam. China will remain at August 15, 2015, while Vietnam will advance by two weeks to September 1, 2017. The Regional Center program is set to expire at midnight on December 11, 2020 and will become unavailable at that time unless reauthorized.

 

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. That announcement will clarify whether USCIS will accept adjustment applications based on the Final Action dates chart, or on the Dates for Filing Chart as it has for the last two months.

The December Dates for Filing chart shows moderate advancement in most employment-based categories, but a one-year retrogression in the EB-3 India category. 

Impact of Presidential Proclamation

As a reminder, President Trump’s April 22 proclamation temporarily suspending the entry of certain immigrants remains in place through December 31, 2020. The proclamation continues to limit the issuance of immigrant visas by U.S. consulates abroad.

Impact of possible program expirations

The EB-4 Non-Minister Religious Worker and EB-5 Regional Center programs are set to expire on December 11 and December 12, 2020, respectively. Unless Congress reauthorizes these programs or passes a temporary spending measure, immigrant visas in these subcategories will become unavailable on their expiration dates. The EB-5 Non-Regional Center program will not be affected.

Should the EB-5 Regional Center program be reauthorized, cut-off dates will continue to mirror the dates for the Non-Regional Center program in December.

Final Action cut-off dates for December 2020

EB-1 
China: April 1, 2019
India: April 1, 2019
All other countries: Current                                                                            

EB-2  
China: May 1, 2016
India: October 1, 2009
All other countries: Current

EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers  
China: November 1, 2017
India: March 15, 2010
All other countries: Current

EB-3 Other Workers  
China: February 15, 2009
India: March 15, 2010
All other countries: Current

EB-4
El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras: February 1, 2018
Mexico: November 22, 2018
All other countries: Current

EB-5
China: August 15, 2015
Vietnam: September 1, 2017
All other countries: Current

Dates for Filing cut-off dates for December 2020

EB-1  
China: November 1, 2020 
India: November 1, 2020 
All other countries: Current

EB-2  
China: October 1, 2016
India: May 15, 2011 
All other countries: Current  

EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers  
China: June 1, 2018
India: January 1, 2014
All other countries: Current

EB-3 Other Workers  
China: May 1, 2009
India: January 1, 2014
All other countries: Current

EB-4* 
El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras: May 1, 2018
All other countries: Current
*Non-minister special immigrant religious worker program will become unavailable at midnight on December 10 unless reauthorized by legislation. 

EB-5*  
China: December 15, 2015
All other countries: Current
*Regional Center program will become unavailable at midnight on December 11 unless reauthorized by legislation.

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

Fragomen news

2025年8月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Center for Strategy and Applied Insights Names Leah Rogal Senior Director

Fragomen announces the appointment of Leah Rogal as Senior Director of its Center for Strategy and Applied Insights.

Learn more

Blog post

Moving to Saudi Arabia: How Orientation Programs Help Expats Adjust

Destination Services Manager Ali Sikandar discusses how orientation programmes in Saudi Arabia help expatriates adapt to cultural differences, workplace norms and everyday challenges, easing their transition into a new environment.

Learn more

Blog post

Exploring Self-Sponsored Visa Pathways in the UAE

Manager Olga Astapova outlines options for individuals to obtain residency without employer sponsorship, highlighting legal routes and strategic considerations.

Learn more

Video

Ireland 2025 Submission Period Opens for Consultation on Occupation Lists | #MobilityMinute

Senior Manager Fatima Aydin discusses Ireland's 2025 public consultation on the occupations lists, and how stakeholders such as employers can provide input.

Learn more

Blog post

Swiss Immigration Quotas 2025: Mid-Year Update

Manager Mihaela Dumitru outlines Switzerland's evolving immigration policies and quota adjustments for 2025.

Learn more

Video

German Citizenship by Descent Explained

Learn how to apply for German citizenship by descent. Discover eligibility under Article 116 and Section 15, benefits of EU citizenship and the step-by-step application process.

Learn more

Media mentions

Personnel Today: Immigration: Huge Fall in Health and Care Worker Visas

Partner Siobhan Owers discussed how visa reforms are reducing available international staff and creating workforce challenges in the UK care sector.

Learn more

Video

Dubai Introduces a ‘One Free Zone Passport’ – What It Is & How It’s Used | #MobilityMinute

Senior Corporate Services Manager Zak Hynes explores Dubai’s launch of the “One Freezone Passport."

Learn more

Video

Navigating Business Travel in Germany: Essential Insights | #MobilityMinute

Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler discusses how to navigate business travel in Germany.

Learn more

Awards

Partners Molly Carey and Catherine Macris Named 2025 New England Legal Awards Finalists

Partners Molly Carey and Catherine Macris are finalists for the 2025 New England Legal Awards in the Partner of the Year and Regional Managing Partner of the Year categories.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Advocate: Navigating the Complexities of Business Immigration Law

Matawan Managing Partner Rahul Shah reflects on his path in immigration law and shares his perspective on global mobility.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2025年8月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Center for Strategy and Applied Insights Names Leah Rogal Senior Director

Fragomen announces the appointment of Leah Rogal as Senior Director of its Center for Strategy and Applied Insights.

Learn more

Blog post

Moving to Saudi Arabia: How Orientation Programs Help Expats Adjust

Destination Services Manager Ali Sikandar discusses how orientation programmes in Saudi Arabia help expatriates adapt to cultural differences, workplace norms and everyday challenges, easing their transition into a new environment.

Learn more

Blog post

Exploring Self-Sponsored Visa Pathways in the UAE

Manager Olga Astapova outlines options for individuals to obtain residency without employer sponsorship, highlighting legal routes and strategic considerations.

Learn more

Video

Ireland 2025 Submission Period Opens for Consultation on Occupation Lists | #MobilityMinute

Senior Manager Fatima Aydin discusses Ireland's 2025 public consultation on the occupations lists, and how stakeholders such as employers can provide input.

Learn more

Blog post

Swiss Immigration Quotas 2025: Mid-Year Update

Manager Mihaela Dumitru outlines Switzerland's evolving immigration policies and quota adjustments for 2025.

Learn more

Video

German Citizenship by Descent Explained

Learn how to apply for German citizenship by descent. Discover eligibility under Article 116 and Section 15, benefits of EU citizenship and the step-by-step application process.

Learn more

Media mentions

Personnel Today: Immigration: Huge Fall in Health and Care Worker Visas

Partner Siobhan Owers discussed how visa reforms are reducing available international staff and creating workforce challenges in the UK care sector.

Learn more

Video

Dubai Introduces a ‘One Free Zone Passport’ – What It Is & How It’s Used | #MobilityMinute

Senior Corporate Services Manager Zak Hynes explores Dubai’s launch of the “One Freezone Passport."

Learn more

Video

Navigating Business Travel in Germany: Essential Insights | #MobilityMinute

Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler discusses how to navigate business travel in Germany.

Learn more

Awards

Partners Molly Carey and Catherine Macris Named 2025 New England Legal Awards Finalists

Partners Molly Carey and Catherine Macris are finalists for the 2025 New England Legal Awards in the Partner of the Year and Regional Managing Partner of the Year categories.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Advocate: Navigating the Complexities of Business Immigration Law

Matawan Managing Partner Rahul Shah reflects on his path in immigration law and shares his perspective on global mobility.

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.