Special Alert: February 2016 Visa Bulletin Released

February 2016 Visa Bulletin Released

The U.S. Department of State has released the February 2016 Visa Bulletin.

In the Dates for Filing Chart, all categories remain unchanged.

In the February 2016 Final Action Chart, China and India see an advancement in the EB-2 Category and China, India, and the Philippines see an advancement in the EB-3 Category. The Visa Bulletin can be summarized as follows:


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

EB-1

  • All countries remain current.

EB-2

  • Persons in the EB-2 category and born in China are current if they have a priority date before the cut-off date of March 1, 2012. This category has advanced by 29 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 August 1, 2008. This category has advanced by 6 months. 
  • The worldwide quota, Mexico, and the Philippines remain current.

EB-3

  • Persons in the EB-3 category and falling into the worldwide quota are current if they have a priority date before the cut-off date of October 1, 2015. This category remains unchanged.
  • Persons in the EB-3 category and born in China are current if they have a priority date before the cut-off date of October 1, 2012. This category has advanced by 3 months. 
  • Persons in the EB-3 category and born in India are current if they have a priority date before the cut-off date of June 15, 2004. This category has advanced by 1 month.
  • Persons in the EB-3 category and born in Mexico are current if they have a priority date before the cut-off date of October 1, 2015. This category remains unchanged.
  • Persons in the EB-3 category and born in the Philippines are current if they have a priority date before the cut-off date of January 8, 2008. This category has advanced by 2 months and 7 days. 

EB-4 

  • All countries remain current.

EB-5

  • Persons in the EB-5 category Non Regional Center (C5 and T5) and born in China are current if they have a priority date before the cut-off date of January 15, 2014. This category has advanced by 7 days. 
  • The worldwide quota, India, Mexico, and the Philippines remain current.

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

Highlights:  Although visa numbers are not available, you can still file your Adjustment of Status application if your priority date is earlier than:

EB-1

  • All countries are current.

EB-2

  • 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 1, 2013This category remains unchanged.
  • 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 1, 2009.  This category remains unchanged.
  • The worldwide quota, Mexico, and the Philippines are current.

EB-3

  • Persons in the EB-3 category and falling into the worldwide quota are current if they have a priority date before the cut-off date of January 1, 2016. This category remains unchanged.
  • Persons in the EB-3 category and born in China are current if they have a priority date before the cut-off date of October 1, 2013. This category remains unchanged.
  • Persons in the EB-3 category and born in India are current if they have a priority date before the cut-off date of July 1, 2005This category remains unchanged.
  • Persons in the EB-3 category and born in Mexico are current if they have a priority date before the cut-off date of January 1, 2016. This category remains unchanged.
  • Persons in the EB-3 category and born in the Philippines are current if they have a priority date before the cut-off date of January 1, 2010This category remains unchanged.

EB-4 

  • All countries are current.

EB-5

  • Persons in the EB-5 category and born in China are current if they have a priority date before the cut-off date of May 1, 2015. This category remains unchanged.
  • The worldwide quota, India, Mexico, and the Philippines remain current.

The complete Visa Bulletin for February 2016 can be found here.