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 February Visa Bulletin, including Final Action Dates and changes from the previous month.

China: EB-1 advances four months to January 1, 2020; EB-2 creeps forward two weeks to June 15, 2016; and EB-3 moves ahead two weeks to January 1, 2018.

India: EB-1 moves ahead four months to January 1, 2020; EB-2 inches forward four days to October 12, 2009; and EB-3 creeps ahead ten days to April 1, 2010.

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

NOTE: In February, USCIS will only accept I-485 applications based on the Department of State’s Final Action Dates chart.

The February Visa Bulletin includes the following projections for possible future movement through May 2021:

China: EB-1 is expected to advance “up to six months” each month; EB-2 should advance “up to three weeks” each month; and EB-3 is likely to continue to outpace EB-2, moving forward “up to one month” each month.

India: EB-1 is expected to move forward “up to six months” each month; EB-2 should move forward “up to two weeks” each month; and EB-3 is likely to continue to outpace EB-2, advancing “up to three weeks” each month

All Other Countries: EB-1, EB-2 and EB-3 are all expected to remain current over the coming months

Courtland C. Witherup contributed to this article.