January 2017 Visa Bulletin: Modest Advancements in EB-2 India and China, and EB-3 China Final Action Dates
December 12, 2016
Country / Territory
United States
According to the State Department’s January Visa Bulletin, immigrant visa availability dates for final action will advance slightly for EB-2 China and India. Final action cutoffs for EB-2 India will advance by two and a half months, to April 15, 2008, and EB-2 China will advance by just over three weeks, to October 15, 2012.
The EB-3 subcategory for professionals and skilled workers will advance by over two months for China, to September 8, 2013; just under two months for the Philippines, to July 22, 2011; and one month for other countries. EB-3 India will remain at March 15, 2005. The EB-3 other worker subcategory will advance by one month for China, to December 1, 2005; just under two months for the Philippines, to July 22, 2011; and one month for other countries.
There will be no advancement in cutoff dates for eligibility to file an application for permanent residence in any backlogged employment category. 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 January.
FINAL ACTION CUT-OFF DATES FOR JANUARY 2017
EB-1
Current for all countries.
EB-2
China: October 15, 2012
India: April 15, 2008
All other countries: Current
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
China: September 8, 2013
India: March 15, 2005
Philippines: July 22, 2011
All other countries: August 1, 2016
EB-3 Other Workers
China: December 1, 2005
India: March 15, 2005
Philippines: July 22, 2011
All other countries: August 1, 2016
EB-5
China: April 8, 2014
Current for all other countries.
FILING ELIGIBILITY CUT-OFF DATES FOR JANUARY 2017
EB-1
Current for all countries.
EB-2
China: March 1, 2013
India: April 22, 2009
All other countries: Current
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
China: May 1, 2014
India: July 1, 2005
Philippines: September 1, 2013
All other countries: Current
EB-3 Other Workers
China: August 1, 2009
India: July 1, 2005
Philippines: September 1, 2013
All other countries: Current
EB-5
China: June 15, 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.
© 2016 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.
Country / Territory
Explore more at Fragomen
Podcast
El Director Miguel Jiménéz y el Senior Business Immigration Manager Rodrigo García discuten información migratoria importante para residentes de México en relación con la Visa de Residencia.
Media mentions
In an interview with Australasian Lawyer, Special Counsel Rebecca Baggiano discusses her career and pro bono work.
Awards
Fragomen is shortlisted in three categories of the 2024 Chambers USA DEI Awards.
Blog post
This blog provides an overview of the updated Quebec Immigrant Investor Program.
Media mentions
Manager Kirsty Moore shares what options employers have when sponsoring engineers under the new UK five-point plan.
Video
Paralegal Elizabeth Collier discusses the requirements for and process of applying for the UK's Global Talent Visa in the Arts and Culture category.
Fragomen news
Forbes names Partner Lisa Ryan to its inaugural list, "Top 200 Lawyers in the US."
Media mentions
Senior Manager Laxmi Limbani, Associate Naureen Malik and Apprentice Paralegal Henry Thourgood-Marshall share how the Northern UK needs to harness UK immigration to accelerate and elevate the region’s economic growth.
Media mentions
Partner Diana Quintas shared with Valor Econômico how the need for qualified labour is shaping the visa opportunities for professionals in Brazil.
Fragomen news
Fragomen announces the launch of its Center for Strategy and Applied Insights and welcomes Senior Policy Advisor Amy Nice.
Media mentions
Manager Harry Goldstraw shares what UK employers need to consider when sending employees on short-term contracts to the European Union.
Blog post
This blog highlights the growing momentum of the UK's semiconductor sector, emphasising its strategic importance for the nation's science and technology ambitions, while also addressing upcoming challenges in talent acquisition due to proposed changes in immigration policies.
Podcast
El Director Miguel Jiménéz y el Senior Business Immigration Manager Rodrigo García discuten información migratoria importante para residentes de México en relación con la Visa de Residencia.
Media mentions
In an interview with Australasian Lawyer, Special Counsel Rebecca Baggiano discusses her career and pro bono work.
Awards
Fragomen is shortlisted in three categories of the 2024 Chambers USA DEI Awards.
Blog post
This blog provides an overview of the updated Quebec Immigrant Investor Program.
Media mentions
Manager Kirsty Moore shares what options employers have when sponsoring engineers under the new UK five-point plan.
Video
Paralegal Elizabeth Collier discusses the requirements for and process of applying for the UK's Global Talent Visa in the Arts and Culture category.
Fragomen news
Forbes names Partner Lisa Ryan to its inaugural list, "Top 200 Lawyers in the US."
Media mentions
Senior Manager Laxmi Limbani, Associate Naureen Malik and Apprentice Paralegal Henry Thourgood-Marshall share how the Northern UK needs to harness UK immigration to accelerate and elevate the region’s economic growth.
Media mentions
Partner Diana Quintas shared with Valor Econômico how the need for qualified labour is shaping the visa opportunities for professionals in Brazil.
Fragomen news
Fragomen announces the launch of its Center for Strategy and Applied Insights and welcomes Senior Policy Advisor Amy Nice.
Media mentions
Manager Harry Goldstraw shares what UK employers need to consider when sending employees on short-term contracts to the European Union.
Blog post
This blog highlights the growing momentum of the UK's semiconductor sector, emphasising its strategic importance for the nation's science and technology ambitions, while also addressing upcoming challenges in talent acquisition due to proposed changes in immigration policies.