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.
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National Law Review, Volume XIV, Number 43