Visa Bulletin for December 2016
Compared with November 2016: 33 lines moved forward, 2 retrogressed, current for all countries: EB-1, EB-2, EB-4, EB-4 Religious Workers.
Final action dates
| Family | All countries | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Dec 1, 2009+40 d | Dec 1, 2009+40 d | Dec 1, 2009+40 d | Apr 15, 1995+7 d | Sep 15, 2005+14 d |
| F2A | Feb 22, 2015+31 d | Feb 22, 2015+31 d | Feb 22, 2015+31 d | Feb 15, 2015+38 d | Feb 22, 2015+31 d |
| F2B | May 8, 2010+23 d | May 8, 2010+23 d | May 8, 2010+23 d | Oct 15, 1995+7 d | Mar 1, 2006+14 d |
| F3 | Feb 15, 2005+24 d | Feb 15, 2005+24 d | Feb 15, 2005+24 d | Dec 8, 1994+7 d | Aug 15, 1994+7 d |
| F4 | Dec 22, 2003+21 d | Oct 1, 2003+2.0 mo | Apr 1, 2003+45 d | May 15, 1997+7 d | May 22, 1993+14 d |
| Employment | All countries | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Current | Current | Current | Current | Current |
| EB-2 | Current | Sep 22, 2012+2.3 mo | Feb 1, 2008+3.0 mo | Current | Current |
| EB-3 | Jul 1, 2016 | Jul 1, 2013+2.5 mo | Mar 15, 2005+7 d | Jul 1, 2016 | Jun 1, 2011+2.0 mo |
| EB-3 Other Workers | Jul 1, 2016 | Nov 1, 2005+2.0 mo | Mar 15, 2005+7 d | Jul 1, 2016 | Jun 1, 2011+2.0 mo |
| EB-4 | Current | Current | Current | Jul 15, 2015−15.6 mo | Current |
| EB-4 Religious Workers | Current | Current | Current | Jul 15, 2015−15.6 mo | Current |
Dates for filing
| Family | All countries | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Jan 1, 2011 | Jan 1, 2011 | Jan 1, 2011 | Jun 1, 1995 | May 1, 2006 |
| F2A | Nov 22, 2015 | Nov 22, 2015 | Nov 22, 2015 | Nov 22, 2015 | Nov 22, 2015 |
| F2B | Feb 8, 2011 | Feb 8, 2011 | Feb 8, 2011 | Jun 1, 1996 | Feb 1, 2007 |
| F3 | Aug 22, 2005 | Aug 22, 2005 | Aug 22, 2005 | May 1, 1995 | Jan 1, 1995 |
| F4 | Jul 1, 2004 | Jul 1, 2004 | May 1, 2004 | Dec 1, 1997 | Apr 1, 1994 |
| Employment | All countries | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Current | Current | Current | Current | Current |
| EB-2 | Current | Mar 1, 2013 | Apr 22, 2009 | Current | Current |
| EB-3 | Current | May 1, 2014 | Jul 1, 2005 | Current | Sep 1, 2013 |
| EB-3 Other Workers | Current | Aug 1, 2009 | Jul 1, 2005 | Current | Sep 1, 2013 |
| EB-4 | Current | Current | Current | Current | Current |
| EB-4 Religious Workers | Current | Current | Current | Current | Current |
What moved
Moved forward 33
- EB-2India+3.0 moFeb 1, 2008
- EB-3China+2.5 moJul 1, 2013
- EB-2China+2.3 moSep 22, 2012
- F4China+2.0 moOct 1, 2003
- EB-3Philippines+2.0 moJun 1, 2011
- EB-3 Other WorkersChina+2.0 moNov 1, 2005
- EB-3 Other WorkersPhilippines+2.0 moJun 1, 2011
- F4India+45 dApr 1, 2003
Show all 33
- F1All countries+40 dDec 1, 2009
- F1China+40 dDec 1, 2009
- F1India+40 dDec 1, 2009
- F2AMexico+38 dFeb 15, 2015
- F2AAll countries+31 dFeb 22, 2015
- F2AChina+31 dFeb 22, 2015
- F2AIndia+31 dFeb 22, 2015
- F2APhilippines+31 dFeb 22, 2015
- F3All countries+24 dFeb 15, 2005
- F3China+24 dFeb 15, 2005
- F3India+24 dFeb 15, 2005
- F2BAll countries+23 dMay 8, 2010
- F2BChina+23 dMay 8, 2010
- F2BIndia+23 dMay 8, 2010
- F4All countries+21 dDec 22, 2003
- F1Philippines+14 dSep 15, 2005
- F2BPhilippines+14 dMar 1, 2006
- F4Philippines+14 dMay 22, 1993
- F1Mexico+7 dApr 15, 1995
- F2BMexico+7 dOct 15, 1995
- F3Mexico+7 dDec 8, 1994
- F3Philippines+7 dAug 15, 1994
- F4Mexico+7 dMay 15, 1997
- EB-3India+7 dMar 15, 2005
- EB-3 Other WorkersIndia+7 dMar 15, 2005
Retrogressed 2
- EB-4Mexico−15.6 moJul 15, 2015
- EB-4 Religious WorkersMexico−15.6 moJul 15, 2015
What the State Department said
Oversubscription of the Mexico employment-based fourth (e4) and certain religious workers (SR) preference categoriesThere continues to be high demand in the E4 and SR categories, primarily for Juvenile Court Dependent cases filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for adjustment of status. Therefore, it has been necessary to impose Mexico E4 and SR Final Action Dates in an attempt to hold number use within the maximum allowed under the FY-2017 annual limits.
Scheduled expiration of two employment visa categoriesEmployment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR):
Pursuant to the 10-week continuing resolution signed on September 29, 2016, the non-minister special immigrant program expires on December 9, 2016. No SR visas may be issued overseas, or final action taken on adjustment of status cases, after midnight December 8, 2016. Visas issued prior to this date will only be issued with a validity date of December 8, 2016, and all individuals seeking admission as a non-minister special immigrant must be admitted (repeat, admitted) into the U.S. no later than midnight December 8, 2016.
The final action date for this category has been listed as “Current” for December for all countries except El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico, which are subject to a July 15, 2015 final action date for December. If there is no legislative action extending this category for FY-2017, the final action date would immediately become “Unavailable” for December for all countries effective December 10, 2016.
Employment Fifth Preference Categories (I5 and R5):
The 10-week continuing resolution signed on September 29, 2016 extended this immigrant investor pilot program until December 9, 2016. The I5 and R5 visas may be issued until close of business on December 9, 2016, and may be issued for the full validity period. No I5 or R5 visas may be issued overseas, or final action taken on adjustment of status cases, after December 9, 2016.
The final action dates for the I5 and R5 categories have been listed as “Current” for December for all countries except China-mainland born, which is subject to a March 22, 2014 final action date. If there is no legislative action extending them for FY-2017, the final action dates would immediately become “Unavailable” for December for all countries effective December 10, 2016.
Employment-based visa availabilityThe level of demand in many Employment-based categories for cases filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for adjustment of status increased significantly late last winter. Those levels have been sustained, and at this time there are no signs that demand is diminishing. The following updates to previous projections regarding visa availability are being announced in an effort to provide the maximum amount of advance notice:
First: Current during the coming months. However, it will be necessary to impose a Final Action Date for China-mainland born and India at some point.
Second: Current for the foreseeable future. But, based on the current demand pattern it appears likely that it will be necessary to impose a Worldwide, Mexico, and Philippines Final Action Date no later than July.
Third: The level of demand appears to be increasing at the long-anticipated rate. Therefore, this date has been held for December, and is likely to hold once again for January, while determining if this increased level will be sustained.
- INDIA Third: Movement of this date will be limited to one week, then the date will hold for several months, then move one week, then likely to hold.
Attention DV-17 lottery winnersHave you checked your Diversity Visa (DV) 2017 status recently? Additional entrants were added to “selected” status in September! Check your status using your unique confirmation number on the Entrant Status Check (ESC) website www.dvlottery.state.gov.
Selected entrants are encouraged to complete the online DS-260 application immediately to schedule an interview appointment at the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate. www.dvlottery.state.gov
Released Nov 8, 2016. Official text: travel.state.gov.
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Source: U.S. Department of State, Visa Bulletin (travel.state.gov), every monthly bulletin since 2003, parsed by 77.today. A bulletin can be revised after release; the State Department's page is the binding text. Not legal advice.