The Visa Bulletin is released monthly by the Department of State and is used to determine when a sponsored foreign national can submit the final step of the green card process, or if already pending, when the final step can be adjudicated.

Below is a summary of the December Visa Bulletin, including Final Action Dates and changes from the previous month.

China: EB-1 advances four months to April 1, 2019; EB-2 moves forward nearly six weeks to May 1, 2016; and EB-3 slows its march forward, advancing only one month to November 1, 2017.

India: EB-1 advances four months to April 1, 2019; EB-2 creeps ahead just nine days to October 1, 2009; and EB-3 moves ahead two weeks to March 15, 2010.

All Other Countries: EB-1, EB-2 and EB-3 remain current

NOTE 1:      In December, USCIS will continue to accept I-485 applications based on the Department of State’s more favorable Dates for Filing chart. Please note, EB-3 India Dates for Filing will retrogress one year to January 1, 2014.

Courtland C. Witherup contributed to this article.