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:

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.

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.