March 2022 Visa Bulletin Update

Feb 18, 2022 | Immigration Updates

The Department of State has issued its March 2022 Visa Bulletin.  This month’s bulletin includes more advancement in final action dates for India in the EB-2 preference category, which will advance by 4 months to May 1, 2013.  Final action dates for India EB-3 and China EB-2 and EB-3 professionals and skilled workers will remain the same as in February.  All other countries under EB-2 and EB-3 will remain current, and EB-1 also remains current for all countries including India and China. 

EB-5 remains current for all countries, but Regional Center cases are awaiting reauthorization. If reauthorized in March, the EB-5 Regional Center cut-off date will be November 22, 2015.  DOS also indicates that Non-Regional Center cases may see cutoff dates imposed for China as early as April 2022.

Relatedly, if there is sufficient demand in EB-5 cases, DOS also indicates that there may be retrogression as early as April 2022 for India in the EB-2 preference category, which would have utilized any otherwise unused EB-5 numbers.

USCIS has indicated that it will continue to require the use of the dates for filing chart in March, and the dates for filing in March remain unchanged from the previous month for EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 professionals and skilled workers, so no new adjustment of status applications will become eligible to file in March.   

Details:

Related Posts:

Rapid-Fire Wednesdays Q&A | 2024 End of Year Immigration Law Updates | 1/15/2025 Recap

The transcript version of our weekly Q&A livestream for corporate immigration professionals. Join our Immigration News Digest Newsletter for more immigration updates. By Kimberley (Best) Robidoux & Miki Kawashima Matrician 🔥 Question: What changes did the U.S. Department of State make to the J-1 Exchange Visitor Skills List? Response: The Department of State made a significant update to the J-1 Exchange Visitor Skills List, which had not been revised since 2009. Effective December 9, 2024, 37 countries were removed from the skills list, including Brazil, China, India, and South Korea. This change is retroactive, meaning individuals from these countries who were previously subject to the two-year home residency requirement are no longer restricted, even if they were in the J-1 program when the requirement applied. As a result, these individuals can now pursue U.S. visas like H-1B, L-1, or green cards without delay. This update benefits employers by making it easier to retain talent without requiring waivers or a mandatory return to the home country. However, the two-year residency requirement remains unchanged for foreign national physicians undergoing medical residency or graduate medical education. 🔥 Question: What is the new policy regarding medical examination results for Form I-485 Adjustment of Status […]

Immigration Update

DHS Announces Continuation of International Entrepreneur Program In another turnaround by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), it was announced on May 10, 2021, that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is withdrawing a 2018 proposed rule that would have removed the International Entrepreneur parole program from DHS regulations. USCIS said the program, first introduced in 2017, “will remain a viable program for foreign entrepreneurs to create and develop start-up entities with high growth potential in the United States.” Under the program, parole may be granted for up to three entrepreneurs per start-up entity, as well as their spouses and children. Entrepreneurs granted parole are eligible to work only for their start-up business. Their spouses may apply for employment authorization in the United States, but their children are not eligible for such authorization based on the program. An applicant must file Form I-941, Application for Entrepreneur Parole, with the required fees (including biometric) and supporting documentary evidence. The fees are $1,200 for filing theI-941 and $85 for biometrics. Additional forms and fees are required for spouses and children. Details: USCIS/DHS announcement, May 10, 2021, https://www.uscis.gov/news/news-releases/dhs-announces-continuation-of-international-entrepreneur-parole-program USCIS Temporarily Suspends Biometrics Requirement for Certain Nonimmigrants Changing or Extending Status Making the […]