
At a glance
In May, USCIS will accept employment-based adjustment applications from foreign nationals with a priority date that is earlier than the Final Action dates listed in the State Department's May Visa Bulletin.
Employment-Based Priority Date Cut-offs for May 2019
To be eligible to file an employment-based adjustment application in May, employer-sponsored foreign nationals must have a priority date that is earlier than the date listed below for their preference category and country.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has chosen to honor the Department of State Final Action Dates chart, rather than the Dates for Filing chart. The Final Action Date chart reflects actual visa availability for that month.
FINAL ACTION CUT-OFF DATES FOR MAY 2019
EB-1
China and India: February 22, 2017
All other countries: March 1, 2018
EB-2
China: May 15, 2016
India: April 16, 2009
All other countries: Current
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
China: August 22, 2015
India: July 1, 2009
Philippines: June 1, 2018
All other countries: Current
EB-3 Other Workers
China: September 1, 2007
India: July 1, 2009
Philippines: June 1, 2018
All other countries: Current
EB-4
El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras: March 8, 2016
Mexico: August 1, 2018
All other countries: Current
EB-5
China: September 22, 2014
Vietnam: September 22, 2016
All other countries: Current
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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