The U.S. State Department released the January Visa Bulletin Monday, showing advancement in key employment-based categories. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services had not yet announced whether it will use Final Action Dates or Dates for Filing to determine employment-based filing eligibility.

Final Action Dates: Key Movements

EB-1

  • China EB-1 will advance 4½ months to July 1, 2022.
  • India EB-1 will advance more than 3½ years to Sept. 1, 2020.
  • All other countries under EB-1 will remain current.

EB-2

  • China EB-2 will advance more than two months to Jan. 1, 2020.
  • India EB-2 will advance two months to March 1, 2012.
  • All other countries under EB-2 will advance 3½ months to Nov. 1, 2022.

EB-3

  • China EB-3 will advance more than seven months to Sept. 1, 2020.
  • India EB-3 will advance one month to June 1, 2012.
  • All other countries under EB-3 will advance eight months to Aug. 1, 2022.

Final Action Dates for Employment-Based Preference Cases:

Preference All Other Countries China India Mexico Philippines
EB-1 Current July 1, 2022 Sept. 1, 2020 Current Current
EB-2 Nov. 1, 2022 Jan. 1, 2020 March 1, 2012 Nov. 1, 2022 Nov. 1, 2022
EB-3 Nov. 1, 2022 Sept. 1, 2020 June 1, 2012 Aug. 1, 2022 Aug. 1, 2022

Dates for Filing: Key Movements:

EB-1

  • China EB-1 will advance five months to Jan. 1, 2023.
  • India EB-1 will advance 1½ years to Jan. 1, 2021.
  • All other countries under EB-1 will remain current.

EB-2

  • China EB-2 will advance five months to June 1, 2020.
  • India EB-2 will remain at May 15, 2012.
  • All other countries under EB-2 will advance 1½ months to Feb. 15, 2023.

EB-3

  • China EB-3 will advance 10 months to July 1, 2021.
  • India EB-3 will remain at Aug. 1, 2012.
  • Philippines EB-3 will remain at Jan. 1, 2023.
  • All other countries under EB-3 will remain at Feb. 1, 2023.
Preference All Other Countries China India Mexico Philippines
EB-1 Current Jan. 1, 2023 Jan. 1, 2021 Current Current
EB-2 Feb. 15, 2023 June 1, 2020 May 15, 2012 Feb. 15, 2023 Feb. 15, 2023
EB-3 Feb. 1, 2023 July 1, 2021 Aug. 1, 2012 Feb. 1, 2023 Jan. 1, 2023

Additional Information: While the forward movement is welcome news, USCIS has yet to announce which chart it will use to determine employment-based filing eligibility next month. The agency is expected to do so in the coming days. BAL will provide updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. 

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