November 2017 Visa Bulletin: Modest Advancements for EB-2 China and India and EB-3 China
October 12, 2017

Country / Territory
Executive Summary
- EB-1 will remain current for all countries.
- EB-2 will remain current for most countries, except China and India, which will each advance by three weeks.
- EB-3 cutoff dates for professionals and skilled workers will advance by one month for China, six weeks for the Philippines, and will remain unchanged for India.
The State Department’s November Visa Bulletin notes the following final action cutoff dates for November.
- EB-1: Will remain current for all countries.
- EB-2: Most countries will remain current. China will advance by three weeks, to June 15, 2013. India will advance by three weeks, to October 8, 2008.
- EB-3: Most countries will remain current. China will advance by one month, to February 1, 2014. India will remain at October 15, 2006. The Philippines will advance by six weeks, to January 15, 2016. In the other worker subcategory, China will advance by three months, to April 1, 2006; the Phillipines will advance by six weeks, to January 15, 2016; and India will remain at October 15, 2006.
- EB-4: Most countries will remain current. El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras will remain at November 1, 2015. Mexico will advance by one month, to April 1, 2016.
- EB-5: China will advance by one week, to July 1, 2014, for the Regional Center and Non-Regional Center programs.
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 is current for filing eligibility in November.
FINAL ACTION CUT-OFF DATES FOR NOVEMBER 2017
EB-1
Current for all countries
EB-2
China: June 15, 2013
India: October 8, 2008
All other countries: Current
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
China: February 1, 2014
India: October 15, 2006
Philippines: January 15, 2016
All other countries: Current
EB-3 Other Workers
China: April 1, 2006
India: October 15, 2006
Philippines: January 15, 2016
All other countries: Current
EB-4
El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras: November 1, 2015
Mexico: April 1, 2016
All other countries: Current
EB-5
China: July 1, 2014
Current for all other countries and subcategories
FILING ELIGIBILITY CUT-OFF DATES FOR NOVEMBER 2017
EB-1
Current for all countries
EB-2
China: November 15, 2013
India: February 8, 2009
All other countries: Current
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
China: September 1, 2015
India: January 1, 2008
Philippines: August 1, 2016
All other countries: Current
EB-3 Other Workers
China: June 1, 2008
India: January 1, 2008
Philippines: August 1, 2016
All other countries: Current
EB-4
El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras: April 15, 2016
All other countries: Current
EB-5
China: October 1, 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.
Country / Territory
Explore more at Fragomen
Work authorization
Senior Associate Tugba Ozyakup and Senior Immigration Manager Andreia Ghimis explore how the EU’s Entry/Exit System is reshaping Schengen overstay enforcement, the risks facing travellers and employers and the legal remedies available to challenge or prevent adverse outcomes.
Video
Partner Rick Lamanna, Senior Associate Jake Paul Minster and Senior Manager Sergio Flores discuss Canada’s entry requirements for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including visa-required and visa-exempt nationals, visitor entry rules and key planning considerations for fans, teams, media and volunteers.
Media mentions
Partner Kevin Miner discusses the DOL’s proposed H-1B wage rule and its potential to add significant unplanned costs for US employers.
Media mentions
Video
Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler highlights key pathways to German citizenship, including descent-based eligibility and standard naturalization requirements and outlines important considerations for individuals exploring their options.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Louise Senior outlines key compliance considerations for UK hospitality sponsors as regulatory expectations continue to evolve.
Media mentions
Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler said proposed H-1B and PERM wage increases could raise hiring costs and apply only to new and pending applications.
Work authorization
UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit explores the latest UK immigration fee increases and their wider implications for migration trends, labour supply and workforce planning.
Video
Partner Karine Wenger outlines US visa considerations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including the FIFA Pass priority scheduling system and the importance of early planning.
Media mentions
Video
Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler highlights key considerations for managing outbound assignments from Germany, including planning, visa requirements and coordinated global support.
Video
Partner Jack Kim discusses one of many immigration pathways for staying in Canada post-graduation, the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
Work authorization
Senior Associate Tugba Ozyakup and Senior Immigration Manager Andreia Ghimis explore how the EU’s Entry/Exit System is reshaping Schengen overstay enforcement, the risks facing travellers and employers and the legal remedies available to challenge or prevent adverse outcomes.
Video
Partner Rick Lamanna, Senior Associate Jake Paul Minster and Senior Manager Sergio Flores discuss Canada’s entry requirements for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including visa-required and visa-exempt nationals, visitor entry rules and key planning considerations for fans, teams, media and volunteers.
Media mentions
Partner Kevin Miner discusses the DOL’s proposed H-1B wage rule and its potential to add significant unplanned costs for US employers.
Media mentions
Video
Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler highlights key pathways to German citizenship, including descent-based eligibility and standard naturalization requirements and outlines important considerations for individuals exploring their options.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Louise Senior outlines key compliance considerations for UK hospitality sponsors as regulatory expectations continue to evolve.
Media mentions
Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler said proposed H-1B and PERM wage increases could raise hiring costs and apply only to new and pending applications.
Work authorization
UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit explores the latest UK immigration fee increases and their wider implications for migration trends, labour supply and workforce planning.
Video
Partner Karine Wenger outlines US visa considerations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including the FIFA Pass priority scheduling system and the importance of early planning.
Media mentions
Video
Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler highlights key considerations for managing outbound assignments from Germany, including planning, visa requirements and coordinated global support.
Video
Partner Jack Kim discusses one of many immigration pathways for staying in Canada post-graduation, the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
