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

Video
Explore EU visa options for non-EU nationals, including Schengen, long-stay and work visas like the EU Blue Card. Find the right visa for your needs.

Blog post
Private Client Associate Amelia Haynes and Intern Zuha Malik explore whether living together remains a requirement for unmarried couples applying for a UK partner visa under the 2025 rules.

Media mentions
Partner Blake Miller discussed how US immigration processing delays may create challenges for work authorization, travel and workforce planning.

Blog post
Immigration Manager Andreia Ghimis discusses how the EES and ETIAS systems aim to streamline immigration processes while addressing the complexities of automation.

Fragomen news
Partner Marius Tollenaere is elected to the Executive Committee of the German Bar Association's Migration Law Working Group.

Blog post
Director Johannes Tiba explores the proposal to grant automatic employment authorization to spouses of work visa holders in South Africa.

Media mentions
UK: Partner Haider Hussain clarifies that UAE Golden Visa applications must go through official government channels, warning against unauthorised fees and misinformation.

Media mentions
Director Laurence Keir-Thomas outlines how recent changes to UK immigration and industrial policy may affect talent planning and hiring across the games sector.

Video
In this Mobility Minute, Senior Consultant Ada Plant discusses how Portugal's Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) no longer accepts incomplete temporary residence applications.

Awards
Partner Julia Onslow-Cole is named to the prestigious Citywealth Leaders List 2025, which recognises leading professionals in wealth management and private client services.

Media mentions
Partner Ángel Bello Cortés discusses how Ireland’s Department of Justice is rolling out AI tools to reduce fraud risks in the immigration process.

Media mentions
Partner Isha Atassi discusses the impact of immigration policy changes on financial firms’ global mobility and workforce planning.

Video
Explore EU visa options for non-EU nationals, including Schengen, long-stay and work visas like the EU Blue Card. Find the right visa for your needs.

Blog post
Private Client Associate Amelia Haynes and Intern Zuha Malik explore whether living together remains a requirement for unmarried couples applying for a UK partner visa under the 2025 rules.

Media mentions
Partner Blake Miller discussed how US immigration processing delays may create challenges for work authorization, travel and workforce planning.

Blog post
Immigration Manager Andreia Ghimis discusses how the EES and ETIAS systems aim to streamline immigration processes while addressing the complexities of automation.

Fragomen news
Partner Marius Tollenaere is elected to the Executive Committee of the German Bar Association's Migration Law Working Group.

Blog post
Director Johannes Tiba explores the proposal to grant automatic employment authorization to spouses of work visa holders in South Africa.

Media mentions
UK: Partner Haider Hussain clarifies that UAE Golden Visa applications must go through official government channels, warning against unauthorised fees and misinformation.

Media mentions
Director Laurence Keir-Thomas outlines how recent changes to UK immigration and industrial policy may affect talent planning and hiring across the games sector.

Video
In this Mobility Minute, Senior Consultant Ada Plant discusses how Portugal's Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) no longer accepts incomplete temporary residence applications.

Awards
Partner Julia Onslow-Cole is named to the prestigious Citywealth Leaders List 2025, which recognises leading professionals in wealth management and private client services.

Media mentions
Partner Ángel Bello Cortés discusses how Ireland’s Department of Justice is rolling out AI tools to reduce fraud risks in the immigration process.

Media mentions
Partner Isha Atassi discusses the impact of immigration policy changes on financial firms’ global mobility and workforce planning.