August 2020 Visa Bulletin Released

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) released the August 2020 Visa Bulletin. All employment-based categories see some movement in August 2020. The cut-off date for the EB-1 category for persons born in India has advanced by 9 months and the cut-off date for persons born in China has advanced by 5 months and 17 days. All other countries in the EB-1 category remain unchanged. The most significant movement was recorded in EB-3 categories where all countries have advanced their cut-off dates. All countries except India and China have advanced by 11 months and 17 days. The cut-off date for persons born in China has advanced by 7 months and 24 days and cut-off date for persons born in India has advanced by 4 months and 9 days. In the  EB-5 Non-Regional Center (C5 and T5) category, the cut-off date for China has advanced by 17 days, the cut-off date for Vietnam has advanced by 2 months and 7 days, and the cut-off dates for all other countries remain unchanged.

In the upcoming month, due to the immigrant visa availability, USCIS, on its website, will determine what chart will be used for adjustment of status applications. Applicants must use the Final Action Dates chart unless USCIS provides that you may use the Dates for Filing chart.

The EIG team is closely monitoring changes to the monthly visa bulletin and determining the best plan of action for each case. We will be reaching out to individuals whose priority date will be current next month to initiate the next step of the green card process. We have also summarized frequently asked questions in our August 8 Issue of the EIG Dispatch. We encourage you to read this article to have a better grasp of the visa bulletin and to understand what your priority date means.

PLEASE NOTE: At this time, USCIS has not indicated whether it will be using Chart A or B for August. For more information, please visit the USCIS website.

The August 2020 Visa Bulletin can be found here and is summarized below:

Application Final Action Dates (dates when visas may be issued)

• Persons in the EB-2 category and born in Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, the Philippines, Vietnam, or in the worldwide quota are current. These categories remain unchanged.

• Persons in the EB-2 category and born in China are current if they have a priority date before the cut-off date of January 15, 2016. This category advanced by 2 months and 7 days. 

• Persons in the EB-2 category and born in India are current if they have a priority date before the cut-off date of July 8, 2009. This remains unchanged. 

• Persons in the EB-3 category and born in Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, the Philippines, Vietnam, or in the worldwide quota are current if they have a priority date before the cut-off date of April 01, 2019. This category advanced by 11 months and 17 days.

• Persons in the EB-3 category and born in China are current if they have a priority date before the cut-off date of February 15, 2017. This category advanced by 7 months and 24 days.

• Persons in the EB-3 category and born in India are current if they have a priority date before the cut-off date of October 10, 2009. This category advanced by 4 months and 9 days.

• Persons in the EB-5 Non-Regional Center (C5 and T5) category and born in China are current if they have a priority date before the cut-off date of August 08, 2015. This category advanced by 17 days.

• Persons in the EB-5 Non-Regional Center (C5 and T5) category and born in Vietnam are current if they have a priority date before the cut-off date of July 22, 2017. This category advanced by 2 months and 7 days.

• Persons in the EB-5 Non-Regional Center (C5 and T5) category and born in India, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, the Philippines, or in the worldwide are current. These categories remain unchanged.

Dates for Filing Applications (earliest dates when applicants may be able to apply)

EB-1