Visa Bulletin April 2016
The Department of State just released its monthly Visa Bulletin listing the two categories for “Application Final Action Dates,” and “Dates for Filing Applications.” Employees must wait until the USCIS validates the Dates for Filing Applications and check the USCIS website in the next few days before relying on that second category.
The April Visa Bulletin shows some advancement in the Application Final Action Dates category for India and China EB-2 nationals, and no movement in the Dates for Filing Applications category.
First Cut-Off Date Category for Employment-Based Preference Cases
“Application Final Action Dates”
EB1
- all still “CURRENT”
EB2
- All others – still “CURRENT”
- China – advances 1 month to September 1, 2012
- India – advances 1 month to November 8, 2008
- Mexico – still “CURRENT”
- Philippines – still “CURRENT”
EB3
- All others – advances 1 month to February 15, 2016
- China – advances 2 months to August 15, 2013
- India – advances 1 month to August 8, 2004
- Mexico – advances 1 month to February 15, 2016
- Philippines – advances 2 months to May 1, 2008
Second (New) Cut-off EARLY Date Category for Employment-Based Cases
“Dates for Filing Visa Applications”
Note: Always Check the USCIS website’s upcoming validation for the current Visa Bulletin before relying on these dates. Last month in March, the USCIS recognized only the DOS Final Action dates for filing new AOS cases.
EB-1
- all still “CURRENT”
EB2
- All others – still “CURRENT”
- China –remains at June 1, 2013
- India – remains at July 1, 2009
- Mexico – still “CURRENT”
- Philippines – still “CURRENT”
EB3
- All others – still “CURRENT”
- China – remains at May 1, 2015
- India – remains July 1, 2005
- Mexico – still “CURRENT”
- Philippines – remains at January 1, 2010
