January 2016 Visa Bulletin Released
The U.S. Department of State has released the January 2016 Visa Bulletin.
Both the worldwide quota and Mexico see an advancement in the dates for filing, while other chargeabilities remain unchanged.
In the January 2016 Visa Bulletin, India sees an advancement in the EB-2 and EB-3 Categories for the final action dates, while China remains unchanged in the EB-2 Category and sees an advancement in the EB-3 Category. The Visa Bulletin can be summarized as follows:
Application Final Action Dates (consistent with prior Visa Bulletins, 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 February 1, 2012. This 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 February 1, 2008. This category has advanced by 8 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 has advanced by 1 month.
- Persons in the EB-3 category and born in China are current if they have a priority date before the cut-off date of July 1, 2012. This category has advanced by 2 months 16 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 May 15, 2004. This category has advanced by 23 days.
- 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 has advanced by 1 month.
- 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 November 1, 2007. This category has advanced by 3 months.
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 8, 2014. This category has advanced by 24 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, 2013. This 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 advanced by 4 months.
- 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, 2005. This 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 advanced by 4 months.
- 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, 2010. This 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 January 2016 can be found here.