June 2016 Visa Bulletin: Significant Retrogression for EB-2 China and India, EB-3 China
May 6, 2016

Country / Territory
According to the State Department’s June Visa Bulletin, there will be significant retrogressions in the cutoff dates for final issuance of an immigrant visa for EB-2 India and China and EB-3 China next month, consistent with recent agency projections. EB-2 India will retrogress by more than four years, to October 1, 2004, while EB-2 China will retrogress by 20 months, to January 1, 2010. The EB-3 China cutoff date for professionals and skilled workers will move back by just over three years and seven months, to January 1, 2010.
Final action cutoff dates will advance by three weeks for EB-3 India, to September 22, 2004, and by nearly three months for EB-3 Philippines, to November 1, 2008. Priority date cutoffs for all other countries will be unchanged in EB-3.
The final action cutoff date for EB-5 China will advance by one week, to February 15, 2014.
There will be no advancement in cutoff dates for eligibility to file an application for permanent residence in any backlogged categories. 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 June.
Employment-Based Immigrant Visa Availability in the Coming Months
Final action dates for China EB-2 and EB-3 are not expected to advance for the remainder of this fiscal year, due to extremely heavy demand for the category. In FY 2017, which begins October 1, 2016, China EB-2 and EB-3 cutoff dates are expected to return to May 2016 cutoff dates.
The State Department projects that EB-2 India will advance slowly over the next three months.
FINAL ACTION CUT-OFF DATES FOR JUNE 2016
EB-1
Current for all countries.
EB-2
China: January 1, 2010
India: October 1, 2004
All other countries: Current
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
China: January 1, 2010
India: September 22, 2004
Philippines: November 1, 2008
All other countries: February 15, 2016
EB-3 Other Workers
China: April 22, 2007
India: September 22, 2004
Philippines: November 1, 2008
All other countries: February 15, 2016
EB-5
China: February 15, 2014
Current for all other countries and subcategories.
FILING ELIGIBILITY CUT-OFF DATES FOR JUNE 2016
EB-1
Current for all countries.
EB-2
China: June 1, 2013
India: July 1, 2009
All other countries: Current
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
China: May 1, 2015
India: July 1, 2005
Philippines: January 1, 2010
All other countries: Current
EB-3 Other Workers
China: August 1, 2009
India: July 1, 2005
Philippines: January 1, 2010
All other countries: Current
EB-5
China: May 1, 2015
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.
© 2016 Fragomen
Country / Territory
Explore more at Fragomen

Blog post
Immigration Director Adriana Martínez Garro explains the residency process in Costa Rica for families relocating with dependents, outlining key legal considerations and steps for securing status.

Media mentions
Fragomen contributed data showing how UK visa and health surcharge costs compare with other leading research nations.

Fragomen news
Fragomen supported this report, which explores how gender shapes migration patterns, visa routes, employment and settlement in the UK.

Blog post
Senior Associate Tomasz Rdzanek or Poland Immigration Strategy Director Tomasz Rogala discuss proposed changes to Poland’s citizenship law aimed at simplifying eligibility and clarifying naturalisation procedures for foreign nationals.

Video
Manager David Makau discusses Oman's recent introduction of a Golden Visa program.

Media mentions
Partner Louise Haycock highlights the inclusion of performing arts occupations on the temporary shortage list and what it means for international talent in the sector.

Media mentions
Partner Louise Haycock highlights opportunities for easier access to overseas talent for the UK creative sector while guiding businesses through evolving visa rules.

Blog post
Associate Amelia Haynes and Paralegal Clare Macmillan Bell discuss the legal considerations surrounding British citizenship for children born through adoption or surrogacy.

Media mentions
Partner Bo Cooper provides insight on how evolving US and UK immigration policies, including recent H-1B changes, are shaping corporate mobility and compliance strategies.

Video
O Diretor Executivo da Fragomen Brasil, Diogo Kloper, destaca uma atualização importante na política migratória brasileira, que muda significativamente o que estrangeiros podem fazer no país sob o status de visitante.

Media mentions
Partner Rajiv Naik provides insight on how immigration frameworks across the UK, Europe and EMEA are evolving to support start-ups and entrepreneurial talent.

Media mentions
Partner Jo Antoons discusses the rollout of the EU's new Entry/Exit System.

Blog post
Immigration Director Adriana Martínez Garro explains the residency process in Costa Rica for families relocating with dependents, outlining key legal considerations and steps for securing status.

Media mentions
Fragomen contributed data showing how UK visa and health surcharge costs compare with other leading research nations.

Fragomen news
Fragomen supported this report, which explores how gender shapes migration patterns, visa routes, employment and settlement in the UK.

Blog post
Senior Associate Tomasz Rdzanek or Poland Immigration Strategy Director Tomasz Rogala discuss proposed changes to Poland’s citizenship law aimed at simplifying eligibility and clarifying naturalisation procedures for foreign nationals.

Video
Manager David Makau discusses Oman's recent introduction of a Golden Visa program.

Media mentions
Partner Louise Haycock highlights the inclusion of performing arts occupations on the temporary shortage list and what it means for international talent in the sector.

Media mentions
Partner Louise Haycock highlights opportunities for easier access to overseas talent for the UK creative sector while guiding businesses through evolving visa rules.

Blog post
Associate Amelia Haynes and Paralegal Clare Macmillan Bell discuss the legal considerations surrounding British citizenship for children born through adoption or surrogacy.

Media mentions
Partner Bo Cooper provides insight on how evolving US and UK immigration policies, including recent H-1B changes, are shaping corporate mobility and compliance strategies.

Video
O Diretor Executivo da Fragomen Brasil, Diogo Kloper, destaca uma atualização importante na política migratória brasileira, que muda significativamente o que estrangeiros podem fazer no país sob o status de visitante.

Media mentions
Partner Rajiv Naik provides insight on how immigration frameworks across the UK, Europe and EMEA are evolving to support start-ups and entrepreneurial talent.

Media mentions
Partner Jo Antoons discusses the rollout of the EU's new Entry/Exit System.