February 2015 Visa Bulletin: Significant Advancements for EB-2 India, EB-3 China and Most Other Countries
January 9, 2015
According to the State Department’s February Visa Bulletin, EB-2 India will advance by more than six months, to September 1, 2005, and EB-2 China will move ahead by six weeks, to March 15, 2010.
The EB-3 subcategory for professionals and skilled workers will advance by six months for China, to September 1, 2011, and by seven months for most countries, to January 1, 2014. EB-3 India will advance by one week, to December 22, 2003.
The EB-3 other worker subcategory for China will advance by three weeks, to August 15, 2005, and most other countries by seven months, to January 1, 2014. EB-3 India will advance by one week, to December 22, 2003.
February 2015 Priority Date Cut-Offs
In February 2015, EB immigrant visa priority date cut-offs will be:
EB-1
Current for all countries.
EB-2
China: March 15, 2010
India: September 1, 2005
All other countries: Current
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
China: September 1, 2011
India: December 22, 2003
All other countries: January 1, 2014
EB-3 Other Workers
China: August 15, 2005
India: December 22, 2003
All other countries: January 1, 2014
EB-5
Current for all countries and subcategories.
Employment-Based Immigrant Visa Availability in the Coming Months
The State Department projects that EB-3 will continue to advance significantly for China and most other countries over the next two months. This is expected to spur significant demand, which could lead to a retrogression of cut-off dates within the next six months, particularly for China. EB-3 India is expected to advance slowly, by up to two weeks per month.
EB-2 India is expected to advance by four to six months per month and EB-2 China by three to six weeks per month in the near term.
EB-5 is expected to remain current for most countries, but increased demand for China is expected to result in the imposition of a cut-off date no later than this summer.
Explore more at Fragomen
Media mentions
Senior Manager Samantha Arnold examines the remaining opportunities under Ireland’s winding-down Immigrant Investor Programme and what they mean for eligible investors and their families.
Blog post
Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit analyses the UK’s latest net migration decline, exploring what the data reveals about policy impact, economic trade‑offs and the risks of over‑correction in future migration strategy.
Media mentions
Partner Bo Cooper discusses the practical considerations facing employers and foreign nationals amid recent changes to green card processing.
Blog post
Video
In this #FragomenFC episode, Partner Rick Lamanna, Senior Manager Sergio Flores and Senior Associate Jake Paul Minster discuss final travel and immigration considerations ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Samantha Arnold discusses Ireland's citizenship framework and the gaps that can remain following reforms to birthright citizenship.
Video
In this video, Partner Diana Quintas discusses how Brazil’s family reunion visa supports long-term international assignments and outlines key eligibility, documentation and compliance considerations for employers and families relocating to Brazil.
Blog post
Attorney María José Clarke explores Chile’s intensified immigration enforcement framework under President José Antonio Kast, examining new employer compliance obligations, work authorization rules for foreign nationals and the legal and financial consequences of unauthorized employment.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Jonathan Hill examines how the UK's new RAG rating system and stricter compliance metrics could shape universities' approaches to international student recruitment and sponsorship compliance.
Blog post
Knowledge Management Director Ana Sofia Walsh and Senior Client Engagement Manager Soraya Driessen examine the European Commission’s EU Inc. proposal and its potential to reshape corporate structures across the EU, highlighting the resulting complexities and unresolved questions for immigration, work authorization and cross-border workforce mobility.
Video
With less than two weeks until the first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Senior Associate Jake Paul Minster outlines important visa and entry considerations for travelers planning to visit the US, Canada and Mexico.
Media mentions
Partner Ali Haider discussed how flexible residency pathways, strong infrastructure and access to healthcare are continuing to drive interest among retirees looking to relocate to the UAE.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Samantha Arnold examines the remaining opportunities under Ireland’s winding-down Immigrant Investor Programme and what they mean for eligible investors and their families.
Blog post
Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit analyses the UK’s latest net migration decline, exploring what the data reveals about policy impact, economic trade‑offs and the risks of over‑correction in future migration strategy.
Media mentions
Partner Bo Cooper discusses the practical considerations facing employers and foreign nationals amid recent changes to green card processing.
Blog post
Video
In this #FragomenFC episode, Partner Rick Lamanna, Senior Manager Sergio Flores and Senior Associate Jake Paul Minster discuss final travel and immigration considerations ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Samantha Arnold discusses Ireland's citizenship framework and the gaps that can remain following reforms to birthright citizenship.
Video
In this video, Partner Diana Quintas discusses how Brazil’s family reunion visa supports long-term international assignments and outlines key eligibility, documentation and compliance considerations for employers and families relocating to Brazil.
Blog post
Attorney María José Clarke explores Chile’s intensified immigration enforcement framework under President José Antonio Kast, examining new employer compliance obligations, work authorization rules for foreign nationals and the legal and financial consequences of unauthorized employment.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Jonathan Hill examines how the UK's new RAG rating system and stricter compliance metrics could shape universities' approaches to international student recruitment and sponsorship compliance.
Blog post
Knowledge Management Director Ana Sofia Walsh and Senior Client Engagement Manager Soraya Driessen examine the European Commission’s EU Inc. proposal and its potential to reshape corporate structures across the EU, highlighting the resulting complexities and unresolved questions for immigration, work authorization and cross-border workforce mobility.
Video
With less than two weeks until the first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Senior Associate Jake Paul Minster outlines important visa and entry considerations for travelers planning to visit the US, Canada and Mexico.
Media mentions
Partner Ali Haider discussed how flexible residency pathways, strong infrastructure and access to healthcare are continuing to drive interest among retirees looking to relocate to the UAE.
