October 2017 Visa Bulletin: EB-1 China and India, EB-2 Worldwide Become Current Again; Advancements for EB-2 and EB-3 China

The State Department’s October Visa Bulletin notes the following final action cutoff dates this October.

• EB-1: China and India will become current, as predicted for the new fiscal year.

• EB-2: Most countries will become current, as predicted. China will advance by one week, to May 22, 2013. India will advance by three weeks, to September 15, 2008.

• EB-3: Most countries will remain current. China will advance by two years, to January 1, 2014. India will remain at October 15, 2006. Philippines will advance by one month, to December 1, 2015. In the other worker subcategory, China will advance by two years, to January 1, 2006, whereas India will remain at October 15, 2006.

• EB-4: Most countries will remain or become current, as predicted. El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras will advance by a week and a half, to November 1, 2015. Mexico will advance by over four months, to March 1, 2016.

• EB-5: China's Regional and Non-Regional Center programs will advance by one week, to June 22, 2014.

As a reminder, EB-4 for certain religious workers and the EB-5 Regional Center program has been extended until December 8, 2017, as part of a short-term spending bill.

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 October.

FINAL ACTION CUT-OFF DATES FOR OCTOBER 2017

EB-1
Current for all countries

EB-2
China: May 22, 2013
India: September 15, 2008
All other countries: Current

EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
China: January 1, 2014
India: October 15, 2006
Philippines: December 1, 2015
All other countries: Current

EB-3 Other Workers
China: January 1, 2006
India: October 15, 2006
Philippines: December 1, 2015
All other countries: Current

EB-4
El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras: November 1, 2015
Mexico: March 1, 2016
All other countries: Current

EB-5
China: June 22, 2014
Current for all other countries and subcategories

FILING ELIGIBILITY CUT-OFF DATES FOR OCTOBER 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

PROJECTIONS FOR IMMIGRANT VISA AVAILABILITY

The State Department also made the following monthly projections through January:

• EB-1: Expected to remain current.

• EB-2: Current worldwide; China to advance up to 4 weeks; India up to 1 month.

• EB-3: Current for most; China to advance up to 4 months; Philippines up to 2 months; India to see limited movement.

• EB-4: Current for most; El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras to advance up to 3 weeks.

• EB-5: Current for most; China to advance up to a week.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.