January 2017 Visa Bulletin: Modest Advancements in EB-2 India and China, and EB-3 China Final Action Dates

United States

According to the State Department’s January Visa Bulletin, immigrant visa availability dates for final action will advance slightly for EB-2 China and India.  Final action cutoffs for EB-2 India will advance by two and a half months, to April 15, 2008, and EB-2 China will advance by just over three weeks, to October 15, 2012.

The EB-3 subcategory for professionals and skilled workers will advance by over two months for China, to September 8, 2013; just under two months for the Philippines, to July 22, 2011; and one month for other countries.  EB-3 India will remain at March 15, 2005. The EB-3 other worker subcategory will advance by one month for China, to December 1, 2005; just under two months for the Philippines, to July 22, 2011; and one month for other countries. 

There will be no advancement in cutoff dates for eligibility to file an application for permanent residence in any backlogged employment category.  In the coming days, USCIS is expected to announce on its own Visa Bulletin web page whether it will accept adjustment of status applications from foreign nationals with a priority date that makes them eligible to file in January.

 

FINAL ACTION CUT-OFF DATES FOR JANUARY 2017

EB-1
Current for all countries. 

EB-2
China: October 15, 2012
India: April 15, 2008
All other countries: Current

EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
China: September 8, 2013
India: March 15, 2005
Philippines: July 22, 2011
All other countries: August 1, 2016

EB-3 Other Workers
China: December 1, 2005
India: March 15, 2005
Philippines: July 22, 2011
All other countries: August 1, 2016

EB-5
China: April 8, 2014
Current for all other countries.

 

FILING ELIGIBILITY CUT-OFF DATES FOR JANUARY 2017

EB-1
Current for all countries.

EB-2
China: March 1, 2013
India: April 22, 2009
All other countries: Current

EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
China:  May 1, 2014
India: July 1, 2005
Philippines: September 1, 2013
All other countries: Current

EB-3 Other Workers
China: August 1, 2009
India: July 1, 2005
Philippines: September 1, 2013
All other countries: Current

EB-5
China: June 15, 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.

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