Client Payment Portal

March Visa Bulletin: China and India Advance Across EB-1, 2, & 3 Categories

Feb 25, 2021 | Permanent Immigration Visas

Following the release of the latest visa bulletin by the U.S. Department of State, March has shaped up as a favorable month for filing an adjustment of status. All countries are current across EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 categories except for China and India who advance moderately, opening the door wide for AOS filings.

Employment-Based Adjustments

USCIS will accept employment-based adjustment applications in March from foreign nationals with a priority date that is earlier than the Final Action Dates (Chart A) listed in the State Department’s March Visa Bulletin.

Family-Based Adjustments

USCIS has announced that F2A applicants may file adjustments using the Final Action Dates chart. Please note, however, that the F2A category is now backlogged on the Dates for Filing chart.  Applicants in all other family-sponsored preference categories must use the Dates for Filing chart.

Employment Based Final Action Dates (Chart A)

Preference Category All Other China El Salvador
Guatemala
Honduras		 India Mexico Philippines Vietnam
1st C 01AUG20 C 01AUG20 C C C
2nd C 15JUL16 C 15JAN10 C C C
3rd C 08FEB18 C 01JUL10 C C C
Other Workers C 01MAY09 C 01JUL10 C C C
4th C C 01JUN18 C 01JAN19 C C
Certain Religious Workers C C 01JUN18 C 01JAN19 C C
5th Non-Regional Center
(C5 and T5)		 C 15AUG15 C C C C 22OCT17
5th Regional Center
(I5 and R5)		 C 15AUG15 C C C C 22OCT17

 

Insights on Final Action Dates (Chart A)

  • EB-1 China and EB-1 India final action dates jump forward by seven months to August 1, 2020.
  • EB-2 China advances one month to July 15, 2016 and EB-3 India advances three months to January 15, 2010.
  • EB-3 China advances five weeks to February 8, 2018, and EB-3 India advances three months to July 1, 2010.

Related Posts:

USCIS to Replace Sticker That Extends Validity of Green Cards

Briefing:  Starting in January, applicants who file Form I-90 to replace an expiring green card will receive a revised receipt notice, which together with an applicant’s PRC, will serve as temporary evidence of lawful permanent resident status for 12 months from the expiration date on the face of the green card.  Applicants will receive the revised receipt notice in the mail approximately 7-10 days after USCIS accepts their application. Uses When presented together with the green card, the revised Form I-797 notice will extend the green card’s validity for 12 months from the date on the front of the green card and will serve as temporary proof of the LPR’s status. This change ensures that LPRs with a recently expired green card will have documentation of identity, employment authorization, and authorization to return to the United States following temporary foreign travel. I-90 applicants Form I-90 applicants who have not been issued a notice for a biometrics appointment and are in possession of their green card, will no longer have to visit an application support center to obtain temporary evidence of LPR status. Applicants who have already been scheduled for a biometrics appointment will not receive a revised notice and will be […]

Read More

2026 U.S. Diversity Visa Lottery Opens Today

The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DIVP) is a government lottery program that offers a straightforward path to obtaining U.S. Permanent Residence (green card). This program allocates 50,000 visas annually to applicants from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States and specific education qualifications. The registration period for the FY2026 U.S. diversity visa (DV-2026) program opens on October 2, 2024, and closes on November 5, 2024. Who Can Apply for the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program? To be eligible for the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, you, your spouse, or your parent must have been born in a country that sent less than 50,000 immigrants to the United States in the previous five years. DOS publishes a full list of the eligible countries on its website. For the 2026 program, the following countries are not eligible to apply for DIVP due to high rates of immigration to the United States: In addition to the nationality requirements,  applicants must possess at least a high school diploma or its equivalent; or two years of work experience in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience. The Department of State uses the Department of Labor’s O*Net Online system to […]

Read More