Important Updates
Important Updates
October 30, 2025 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Consultation Open Regarding Right to Work Scheme Extension to Gig Workers
October 30, 2025 | ChinaChina: Physical Social Security Card to Continue to Be Issued
October 30, 2025 | ChinaMainland China: Work Permit and Social Security Cards Integrated Under New Enhanced System
October 30, 2025 | 🌐Minimum Salary Changes Announced
October 30, 2025 | PanamaPanama: Government Reporting Requirement Enforced; Strict Penalties May Apply
October 30, 2025 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Consultation Open Regarding Right to Work Scheme Extension to Gig Workers
October 30, 2025 | ChinaChina: Physical Social Security Card to Continue to Be Issued
October 30, 2025 | ChinaMainland China: Work Permit and Social Security Cards Integrated Under New Enhanced System
October 30, 2025 | 🌐Minimum Salary Changes Announced
October 30, 2025 | PanamaPanama: Government Reporting Requirement Enforced; Strict Penalties May Apply
October 30, 2025 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Consultation Open Regarding Right to Work Scheme Extension to Gig Workers
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationFragomen Consulting EuropeImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapCenter for Strategy and Applied InsightsVietnamese ImmigrationView More
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Fragomen Consulting Europe
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Center for Strategy and Applied Insights
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • View More

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
  • Insights

United States: March 2016 Visa Bulletin: EB-2 India and China Final Action Dates Will Advance Again Next Month

February 8, 2016

insight-news-default

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

United States

According to the State Department’s March Visa Bulletin, the cutoff date for final issuance of an immigrant visa will advance by five months for EB-2 China, to August 1, 2012, and by six weeks for EB-2 India, to October 15, 2008. 

Final action cutoff dates for EB-3 professionals and skilled workers will advance by eight months for China, to June 1, 2013; by one month for India, to July 15, 2004; by just over two months for the Philippines, to March 15, 2008; and by three months for all other countries, to January 1, 2016.  Final action cutoff dates for EB-5 China, in both the Regional Center and non-Regional Center programs, will advance by one week, to January 22, 2014.  

Cutoff dates for eligibility to file an application for permanent residence will advance by five months for EB-2 China, to June 1, 2013, but will not advance for EB-2 India.  Filing eligibility dates in EB-3 will advance by one year and seven months for China, to May 1, 2015, and will be current for most other countries, with the exception of India and the Philippines, which will remain unchanged.  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 makes them eligible to file in March.  

Future Employment-Based Immigrant Visa Availability

If current demand for immigrant visas continues at current levels, the State Department projects that cutoff dates for employment-based preference categories could advance to the following dates by June 2016:

• EB-2 China:  Up to five months

• EB-2 India:  Up to three months

• EB-3 China:  Up to five months

• EB-3 India:  Up to one month

• EB-3 Philippines:  Up to four months

• EB-3 All other countries:  Slow or no movement

• EB-5 China:  Slow forward movement

 

FINAL ACTION CUTOFF DATES FOR MARCH 2016

 

EB-1 

Current for all countries. 

 

EB-2 

China: August 1, 2012

India:  October 15, 2008

All other countries: Current

 

EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers 

China: June 1, 2013

India: July 15, 2004

Philippines: March 15, 2008

All other countries:  January 1, 2016

 

EB-3 Other Workers 

China: February 1, 2007

India: July 15, 2004

Philippines: March 15, 2008

All other countries: January 1, 2016

 

EB-5

China: January 22, 2014

Current for all other countries and subcategories.

 

FILING ELIGIBILITY CUT-OFF DATES FOR MARCH 2016

 

EB-1 

Current for all countries. 

 

EB-2 

China: June 1, 2013

India: July 1, 2009

All other countries: Current 

 

EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers 

China:  May 1, 2015

India: July 1, 2005

Philippines: January 1, 2010

All other countries: Current 

 

EB-3 Other Workers 

China: August 1, 2007

India: July 1, 2005

Philippines: January 1, 2010

All other countries: Current 

 

EB-5 

China: May 1, 2015

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.

 

© 2016 Fragomen

 

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions

Games Industry: US H-1B Visas: Alternatives to a $100,000 Fee

Senior Manager William Diaz outlines the US visa options available to the games industry for bringing international talent to the United States, including O-1, L-1 and E-2.

Learn more

Media mentions

People Management: How Will EU Travel Rule Changes Impact Employers?

Partner Jo Antoons and Manager Andreia Ghimis explain how businesses can navigate Europe’s new ETIAS pre-travel authorisation and avoid disruptions.

Learn more

Media mentions

Arts Professional: How Easy Is It for Overseas Creatives to Work in the UK?

Partner Louise Haycock and Associate Jennifer Gray analyse the barriers and opportunities for overseas creatives navigating the UK’s immigration system.

Learn more

Blog post

Claiming British Citizenship Through Ancestral Lineage: Who Is Eligible?

Associate Chloe Evans outlines eligibility criteria for individuals seeking British citizenship based on ancestral ties.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Semiconductors Presents: "Voice of the Industry" October 2025 Q&A with Shari Liss

Fragomen’s Semiconductor Industry Group publishes the next installment of its “Voice of the Industry” Q&A series, featuring Shari Liss, Vice President of Global Workforce Development and Initiatives at SEMI.

Learn more

Media mentions

Gazeta Prawna: Legalny napływ cudzoziemców do pracy powstrzymany

Partner Karolina Schiffter highlights how Poland’s tightened visa system affects foreign hiring and the challenges companies face in navigating it.

Learn more

Media mentions

Bloomberg Law: US Chamber Turns Trump Foe in Rare Split Over $100,000 H-1B Fee

Partner Carl Hampe provides insight on the impact of the $100,000 H-1B fee and the US Chamber of Commerce’s related lawsuit.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Wins 2025 FEM EMEA “Best Partnership” EMMA for Collaboration with TBB

Fragomen was honoured with the “Best Partnership Between a Corporate Organization and a Service Provider” EMMA at FEM's 2025 EMEA Summit.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: DOL Flags Immigration Crackdown as Risk to Food Supply

Partner Rachel Beardsley highlights how H-2A visa strategies can help sustain a skilled US agricultural workforce.

Learn more

Blog post

Intra-African Mobility: Unlocking the Continent’s Promise Through Free Movement

Director Willys Mac’Olale discusses how intra-African mobility can unlock the continent’s economic and social potential by promoting free movement, fostering integration and development.

Learn more

Blog post

Costa Rica Family Relocation: Understanding Residency for Dependents

Immigration Director Adriana Martínez Garro explains the residency process in Costa Rica for families relocating with dependents, outlining key legal considerations and steps for securing status.

Learn more

Media mentions

Financial Times: Scientists Charged Too Much to Come to Work in UK, Says Royal Society

Fragomen contributed data showing how UK visa and health surcharge costs compare with other leading research nations.

Learn more

Media mentions

Games Industry: US H-1B Visas: Alternatives to a $100,000 Fee

Senior Manager William Diaz outlines the US visa options available to the games industry for bringing international talent to the United States, including O-1, L-1 and E-2.

Learn more

Media mentions

People Management: How Will EU Travel Rule Changes Impact Employers?

Partner Jo Antoons and Manager Andreia Ghimis explain how businesses can navigate Europe’s new ETIAS pre-travel authorisation and avoid disruptions.

Learn more

Media mentions

Arts Professional: How Easy Is It for Overseas Creatives to Work in the UK?

Partner Louise Haycock and Associate Jennifer Gray analyse the barriers and opportunities for overseas creatives navigating the UK’s immigration system.

Learn more

Blog post

Claiming British Citizenship Through Ancestral Lineage: Who Is Eligible?

Associate Chloe Evans outlines eligibility criteria for individuals seeking British citizenship based on ancestral ties.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Semiconductors Presents: "Voice of the Industry" October 2025 Q&A with Shari Liss

Fragomen’s Semiconductor Industry Group publishes the next installment of its “Voice of the Industry” Q&A series, featuring Shari Liss, Vice President of Global Workforce Development and Initiatives at SEMI.

Learn more

Media mentions

Gazeta Prawna: Legalny napływ cudzoziemców do pracy powstrzymany

Partner Karolina Schiffter highlights how Poland’s tightened visa system affects foreign hiring and the challenges companies face in navigating it.

Learn more

Media mentions

Bloomberg Law: US Chamber Turns Trump Foe in Rare Split Over $100,000 H-1B Fee

Partner Carl Hampe provides insight on the impact of the $100,000 H-1B fee and the US Chamber of Commerce’s related lawsuit.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Wins 2025 FEM EMEA “Best Partnership” EMMA for Collaboration with TBB

Fragomen was honoured with the “Best Partnership Between a Corporate Organization and a Service Provider” EMMA at FEM's 2025 EMEA Summit.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: DOL Flags Immigration Crackdown as Risk to Food Supply

Partner Rachel Beardsley highlights how H-2A visa strategies can help sustain a skilled US agricultural workforce.

Learn more

Blog post

Intra-African Mobility: Unlocking the Continent’s Promise Through Free Movement

Director Willys Mac’Olale discusses how intra-African mobility can unlock the continent’s economic and social potential by promoting free movement, fostering integration and development.

Learn more

Blog post

Costa Rica Family Relocation: Understanding Residency for Dependents

Immigration Director Adriana Martínez Garro explains the residency process in Costa Rica for families relocating with dependents, outlining key legal considerations and steps for securing status.

Learn more

Media mentions

Financial Times: Scientists Charged Too Much to Come to Work in UK, Says Royal Society

Fragomen contributed data showing how UK visa and health surcharge costs compare with other leading research nations.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.