February Visa Bulletin Update: USCIS to Honor Employment-Based Final Action Dates Only Next Month
January 26, 2017

Country / Territory
United States
USCIS has determined that, next month, it will only accept employment-based adjustment of status applications from foreign nationals with a priority date that is current for final action under the State Department’s February Visa Bulletin.
Employment-Based Priority Date Cut-offs for February 2017
To be eligible to file an employment-based adjustment application in February, employer-sponsored foreign nationals must have a priority date that is earlier than the date listed below for their preference category and country.
EB-1
Current for all countries.
EB-2
China: November 15, 2012
India: April 15, 2008
All other countries: Current
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
China: October 1, 2013
India: March 22, 2005
Philippines: October 15, 2011
All other countries: October 1, 2016
EB-3 Other Workers
China: December 1, 2005
India: March 22, 2005
Philippines: October 15, 2011
All other countries: October 1, 2016
EB-5
China: April 15, 2014
Current for all other countries.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
© 2017 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.
Country / Territory
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