United States: January 2022 Visa Bulletin Update – USCIS to Honor Filing Dates for Employment-Based Categories
December 16, 2021

At a glance
Next month, USCIS will accept employment-based adjustment of status applications from foreign nationals with a priority date that is earlier than the Filing Dates listed in the State Department’s January 2022 Visa Bulletin.
Employment-Based Priority Date Cutoffs for January 2022
To be eligible to file an employment-based adjustment application in January, employer-sponsored foreign nationals must have a priority date that is earlier than the date listed below for their preference category and country.
USCIS has again chosen the Dates for Filing chart for employment-based applications.
USCIS Cutoff Dates for January 2022
EB-1
China: Current
India: Current
All other countries: Current
EB-2
China: April 1, 2019
India: July 8, 2013
All other countries: Current
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
China: April 1, 2018
India: January 22, 2012
All other countries: Current
EB-3 Other Workers
China: May 1, 2015
India: January 22, 2012
All other countries: Current
EB-4
El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras: May 15, 2019
Mexico: Current
All other countries: Current
EB-5*
China: Current (Non-Regional Center); December 15, 2015 (Regional Center)*
All other countries: Current
*Regional Center program expired on June 30, 2021. USCIS has stated it will reject adjustment of status applications based on an approved Regional Center immigrant visa petition.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
Explore more at Fragomen
Media mentions
Partners Aaron Blumberg and K. Edward Raleigh outline how recent US visa policy changes affect H-1B and H-4 workers and how employers are adjusting compliance and work authorization processes.
Blog post
The UK expands its High Potential Individual (HPI) visa for 2025, broadening eligibility for global graduates and entrepreneurs while introducing new requirements and application caps
Media mentions
Partner Bo Cooper discusses the US proposal to expand social media screening for visitors from visa waiver countries and the broader shift it represents in travel vetting.
Video
The latest Mobility Minute features Manager Alex Hood discussing recent updates to the UK’s High Potential Individual route, including expanded university eligibility, a new annual cap and modernized governance measures.
Media mentions
Managing Partner for the Middle East and Africa Murtaza Khan discusses how the UAE’s flexible migration policies attract talent and support a competitive labour market.
Media mentions
Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler notes that the US expansion of social-media screening to H-1B and H-4 visa applicants will involve a more detailed review of their online activity.
Media mentions
Partner Edward Raleigh highlights the need for companies to prepare for increased H-1B enforcement and ensure compliance with US worker requirements.
Video
In this Mobility Minute, Associate Rebeca Lafond outlines key considerations for international travel to the United States during the holiday season, including documentation requirements, visa processing expectations and enhanced screening on entry.
Media mentions
Partner K. Edward Raleigh explains that the Department of Labor’s Project Firewall expands H-1B oversight beyond individual complaints and increases the scope of employer compliance reviews.
Media mentions
UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit examines how proposed settlement reforms could reshape the path to UK residency by extending qualifying periods and linking eligibility to individual contribution.
Podcast
Partner Cosmina Morariu and Business Immigration Manager Ayana Ibrahimi discuss critical immigration strategies underpinning healthcare-sector staffing in Canada, unpacking how recent policy, mobility and compliance developments are affecting employers and global talent pipelines.
Awards
Fragomen named Private Client Team of the Year at The British Legal Awards 2025, recognising the strength of our UK Private Client practice.
Media mentions
Partners Aaron Blumberg and K. Edward Raleigh outline how recent US visa policy changes affect H-1B and H-4 workers and how employers are adjusting compliance and work authorization processes.
Blog post
The UK expands its High Potential Individual (HPI) visa for 2025, broadening eligibility for global graduates and entrepreneurs while introducing new requirements and application caps
Media mentions
Partner Bo Cooper discusses the US proposal to expand social media screening for visitors from visa waiver countries and the broader shift it represents in travel vetting.
Video
The latest Mobility Minute features Manager Alex Hood discussing recent updates to the UK’s High Potential Individual route, including expanded university eligibility, a new annual cap and modernized governance measures.
Media mentions
Managing Partner for the Middle East and Africa Murtaza Khan discusses how the UAE’s flexible migration policies attract talent and support a competitive labour market.
Media mentions
Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler notes that the US expansion of social-media screening to H-1B and H-4 visa applicants will involve a more detailed review of their online activity.
Media mentions
Partner Edward Raleigh highlights the need for companies to prepare for increased H-1B enforcement and ensure compliance with US worker requirements.
Video
In this Mobility Minute, Associate Rebeca Lafond outlines key considerations for international travel to the United States during the holiday season, including documentation requirements, visa processing expectations and enhanced screening on entry.
Media mentions
Partner K. Edward Raleigh explains that the Department of Labor’s Project Firewall expands H-1B oversight beyond individual complaints and increases the scope of employer compliance reviews.
Media mentions
UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit examines how proposed settlement reforms could reshape the path to UK residency by extending qualifying periods and linking eligibility to individual contribution.
Podcast
Partner Cosmina Morariu and Business Immigration Manager Ayana Ibrahimi discuss critical immigration strategies underpinning healthcare-sector staffing in Canada, unpacking how recent policy, mobility and compliance developments are affecting employers and global talent pipelines.
Awards
Fragomen named Private Client Team of the Year at The British Legal Awards 2025, recognising the strength of our UK Private Client practice.
