Business Immigration Insights

The Visa Bulletin is released monthly by the Department of State and is used to determine when a sponsored foreign national can submit the final step of the green card process, or if already pending, when the final step can be adjudicated.

Below is a summary of the March Visa Bulletin, including Final Action Dates and changes from the previous month.

China: EB-1 advances ten days to June 1, 2017; EB-2 jumps ahead one month to August 15, 2015; and EB-3 advances nearly three months to March 22, 2016

India: EB-1 leaps forward two months to March 1, 2015; EB-2 continues to creep forward, advancing three days to May 22, 2009; and EB-3 once again advances one week to January 15, 2009

All Other Countries (including the Philippines): EB-1 advances three months to March 1, 2019; EB-2 remains current; and EB-3 retrogress three years to January 1, 2017

NOTE 1:      The March Visa Bulletin includes a note that EB-3 All Other Countries is expected to remain backlogged for “the foreseeable future.”

NOTE 2:      USCIS has not yet announced if it will accept I-485 applications in February based on the Department of State’s Dates for Filing chart.