March 2017 Visa Bulletin: Some Advancement in Final Action Dates for EB-2 China and India and EB-3 China
February 8, 2017

Country / Territory
United States
According to the State Department’s March Visa Bulletin, immigrant visa availability dates for final action will advance by one month for EB-2 China, to December 15, 2012, and by over six weeks for EB-2 India, to June 1, 2008.
The EB-3 subcategory for professionals and skilled workers will advance by five and a half months for China, to March 15, 2014; five months for the Philippines, to March 15, 2012; and two months for all other countries, to December 1, 2016. The EB-3 other worker subcategory will advance by two months for China, to February 1, 2006; five months for the Philippines, to March 15, 2012; and two months for other countries, to December 1, 2006. India will remain at March 22, 2005 in the EB-3 and other worker subcategory.
Final action dates for EB-5 China will advance by two weeks, to May 1, 2014.
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 March.
Employment-Based Immigrant Visa Availability in the Coming Months
The State Department projects that EB-1 final action dates will remain current, but cutoff dates are likely to be imposed on China and India by August. Final action dates for EB-2 are expected to advance each month by up to five weeks per month for China, and up to a month for India.
EB-3 category final action dates are expected to advance each month by up to six months for China; Mexico will remain at the worldwide date; the Philippines will advance by up to six months per month; and worldwide dates will advance by up to three months per month.
EB-5 China is projected to advance by up to two weeks.
FINAL ACTION CUT-OFF DATES FOR MARCH 2017
EB-1
Current for all countries.
EB-2
China: December 15, 2012
India: June 1, 2008
All other countries: Current
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
China: March 15, 2014
India: March 22, 2005
Philippines: March 15, 2012
All other countries: December 1, 2016
EB-3 Other Workers
China: February 1, 2006
India: March 22, 2005
Philippines: March 15, 2012
All other countries: December 1, 2016
EB-5
China: May 1, 2014
Current for all other countries.
FILING ELIGIBILITY CUT-OFF DATES FOR MARCH 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.
© 2017 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.
Country / Territory
Explore more at Fragomen

Awards
Fragomen and Regional Partner for the Asia Pacific Mark Buchanan were recognized at the 2025 FEM APAC EMMAs.

Awards
Partner Archana Iyer won the "Innovation Award" at The New York Law Journal's 2025 New York Legal Awards.

Media mentions
Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler discusses how USCIS’s new rule could potentially increase enforcement and affect how applicants interact with the US immigration system.

Blog post
Assistant Business Immigration Manager Raga Rasuanta discusses Indonesia’s post-election immigration strategy and its shift toward balancing openness to global talent with increased regulatory scrutiny.

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

Blog post
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.

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

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

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

Video
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.

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

Awards
Fragomen and Regional Partner for the Asia Pacific Mark Buchanan were recognized at the 2025 FEM APAC EMMAs.

Awards
Partner Archana Iyer won the "Innovation Award" at The New York Law Journal's 2025 New York Legal Awards.

Media mentions
Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler discusses how USCIS’s new rule could potentially increase enforcement and affect how applicants interact with the US immigration system.

Blog post
Assistant Business Immigration Manager Raga Rasuanta discusses Indonesia’s post-election immigration strategy and its shift toward balancing openness to global talent with increased regulatory scrutiny.

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

Blog post
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.

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

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

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

Video
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.

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