September 2017 Visa Bulletin: Worldwide EB-2 Advances; EB-3 Remains Current For Many Countries and Advances for India
August 9, 2017

Country / Territory
According to the State Department’s September Visa Bulletin, EB-2 final action cutoff dates will advance by nine months for most countries, to January 1, 2016. EB-2 China will advance by three weeks, to May 15, 2013, and EB-2 India will advance one month, to August 22, 2008. In the EB-1 category, the cutoff date for India and China will remain at January 1, 2012.
The EB-3 professional and skilled worker subcategory will remain current for many countries. However, EB-3 China will remain at January 1, 2012, while EB-3 India will advance by three months, to October 15, 2006, and the Philippines will advance by five months, to November 1, 2015. In the other worker subcategory, EB-3 China will remain at January 1, 2004.
The final action cutoff date for EB-5 China, in both the Regional Center and Non-Regional Center programs, will remain at June 15, 2014.
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 September. The dates for filing will remain unchanged next month.
FINAL ACTION CUT-OFF DATES FOR SEPTEMBER 2017
EB-1
China: January 1, 2012
India: January 1, 2012
All other countries: Current
EB-2
China: May 15, 2013
India: August 22, 2008
All other countries: January 1, 2016
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
China: January 1, 2012
India: October 15, 2006
Philippines: November 1, 2015
All other countries: Current
EB-3 Other Workers
China: January 1, 2004
India: October 15, 2006
Philippines: November 1, 2015
All other countries: Current
EB-5
China: June 15, 2014
Current for all other countries.
FILING ELIGIBILITY CUT-OFF DATES FOR SEPTEMBER 2017
EB-1
Current for all countries.
EB-2
China: October 1, 2013
India: February 1, 2009
All other countries: Current
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
China: September 1, 2015
India: January 1, 2007
Philippines: January 1, 2016
All other countries: Current
EB-3 Other Workers
China: June 1, 2008
India: January 1, 2007
Philippines: January 1, 2016
All other countries: Current
EB-5
China: September 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).
