Immigration Lawyer Blog
In this video, attorney Jacob Sapochnick discusses the grim outlook of the December Visa Bulletin. While we had hoped to see more forward movement for the month of December, very little changes can be seen when compared to the previous month.
However, we hope that this video will be useful in providing some of our predictions for the Visa Bulletin in the coming months.
Adjustment of Status Filing Chart December 2023
As in the previous few months, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will continue to use the Dates for Filing chart in the month of December to determine eligibility for I-485 adjustment of status filings (green card filings inside the US).
What Changes Can Be Seen Next Month?
Sadly, the Dates for Filing Charts for both the employment-based and family-sponsored categories remain identical to those from the month of November. The Final Action Dates for family sponsored categories also remain identical to the previous month.
The only forward-movement that can be seen is in the Final Action Dates chart for EB-2 China which will advance by three weeks to October 22, 2019, and EB-3 China which will advance by three weeks to January 22, 2020. All other countries will remain the same.
In other news, the EB-4 Non-Minister Religious Worker program will become unavailable for all countries in December until it is reauthorized by legislation.
Our Predictions
We expect to see more forward-movement in the Visa Bulletin beginning next year specifically in the family sponsored categories. We make this prediction based on recent data and statistics released by the National Visa Center (NVC) which shows that more immigrant visa interviews are being scheduled at U.S. Embassies and Consulates worldwide.
Now let’s move on to looking at the charts.
FINAL ACTION DATES – EMPLOYMENT BASED CATEGORIES
The following Final Action cutoff dates will apply for employment-based categories:
*These dates are unchanged from the November Visa Bulletin except EB-2 and EB-3 China
- EB-1: EB-1 India will remain at January 1, 2017, and China will remain at February 15, 2022. All other countries will remain current.
- EB-2: EB-2 India will remain at January 1, 2012 and China will advance by three weeks to October 22, 2019. All other categories will remain the same.
- EB-3: EB-3 Professional/Skilled Workers India will remain at May 1, 2012, and China will advance by three weeks to January 22, 2020. All other countries will remain at December 1, 2021.
- EB-3 Other Workers: All countries remain the same.
- EB-4: EB-4 Final Action Date will be January 1, 2019, for all categories. EB-4 Certain Religious Workers is unavailable in December.
- EB-5: For EB-5 Unreserved categories (C5, T5, I5, and R5) India will remain at December 15, 2018, and China will remain at October 1, 2015. All other countries will remain current. The EB-5 set aside categories (Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure) will also remain current.
| Employment- based |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| 1st | C | 15FEB22 | 01JAN17 | C | C |
| 2nd | 15JUL22 | 22OCT19 | 01JAN12 | 15JUL22 | 15JUL22 |
| 3rd | 01DEC21 | 22JAN20 | 01MAY12 | 01DEC21 | 01DEC21 |
| Other Workers | 01AUG20 | 01JAN16 | 01MAY12 | 01AUG20 | 01MAY20 |
| 4th | 01JAN19 | 01JAN19 | 01JAN19 | 01JAN19 | 01JAN19 |
| Certain Religious Workers | U | U | U | U | U |
| 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5) |
C | 01OCT15 | 15DEC18 | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: Rural (20%) |
C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: High Unemployment (10%) |
C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: Infrastructure (2%) |
C | C | C | C | C |
Final Action Dates for December 2023
EB-1 No changes
- China: February 15, 2022
- India: January 1, 2017
- All other countries: Current
EB-2
- China: October 22, 2019 *Advancement
- India: January 1, 2012
- All other countries: July 15, 2022
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
- China: January 22, 2020 *Advancement
- India: May 1, 2012
- All other countries: December 1, 2021
EB-3 Other Workers No changes
- China: January 1, 2016
- India: May 1, 2012
- Philippines: May 1, 2020
- All other countries: August 1, 2020
EB-4
- All countries: January 1, 2019
- The EB-4 Non-Minister Religious Worker program is unavailable for all countries until it is reauthorized by legislation.
EB-5 Unreserved (Regional Center and Non-Regional Center)
- China: October 1, 2015
- India: December 15, 2018
- All other countries: Current
EB-5 Set-Asides
- Rural: Current for all countries
- High Unemployment: Current for all countries
- Infrastructure: Current for all countries
DATES FOR FILING – EMPLOYMENT BASED CATEGORIES
The following Dates for Filing cutoff dates will apply for employment-based categories, which will determine whether an adjustment of status application can be filed with USCIS in the month of December:
These dates are unchanged from the November Visa Bulletin
- EB-1: EB-1 China will remain at August 01, 2022, and India will remain at July 1, 2019 respectively. All other countries will remain current in December.
- EB-2: EB-2 India will remain at May 15, 2012. China will remain at January 1, 2020. All other countries will remain at January 1, 2023.
- EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers: EB-3 India will remain at August 1, 2012. China will remain at September 1, 2020. EB-3 Worldwide and Mexico will remain at February 1, 2023. EB-3 Philippines will remain at January 1, 2023.
- EB-3 Other Workers: India will remain at August 1, 2012, China will remain at June 1, 2017. EB-3 Worldwide and Mexico will remain at December 15, 2020. EB-3 Philippines will remain at May 15, 2020.
- EB-4: All countries will remain at March 1, 2019. EB-5 Certain Religious Workers is unavailable in December.
- EB-5: For the EB-5 Unreserved categories (C5, T5, I5, and R5), India will remain at April 1, 2022, and China will remain at January 1, 2017. All other countries will remain current. The EB-5 “Set-Aside” categories (Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure) will remain current.
| Employment- based |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| 1st | C | 01AUG22 | 01JUL19 | C | C |
| 2nd | 01JAN23 | 01JAN20 | 15MAY12 | 01JAN23 | 01JAN23 |
| 3rd | 01FEB23 | 01SEP20 | 01AUG12 | 01FEB23 | 01JAN23 |
| Other Workers | 15DEC20 | 01JUN17 | 01AUG12 | 15DEC20 | 15MAY20 |
| 4th | 01MAR19 | 01MAR19 | 01MAR19 | 01MAR19 | 01MAR19 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 01MAR19 | 01MAR19 | 01MAR19 | 01MAR19 | 01MAR19 |
| 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5) |
C | 01JAN17 | 01APR22 | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: (Rural – 20%) |
C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: (High Unemployment – 10%) |
C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: (Infrastructure – 2%) |
C | C | C | C | C |
Dates for Filing for December 2023
EB-1
- China: August 1, 2022
- India: July 1, 2019
- All other countries: Current
EB-2
- China: January 1, 2020
- India: May 15, 2012
- All other countries: January 1, 2023
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
- China: September 1, 2020
- India: August 1, 2012
- Philippines: January 1, 2023
- All other countries: February 1, 2023
EB-3 Other Workers
- China: June 1, 2017
- India: August 1, 2012
- Philippines: May 15, 2020
- All other countries: December 15, 2020
EB-4
- All countries: March 1, 2019
- The EB-4 Non-Minister Religious Worker program is unavailable for all countries until it is reauthorized by legislation.
EB-5 Unreserved (Regional Center and Non-Regional Center)
- China: January 1, 2017
- India: April 1, 2022
- All other countries: Current
EB-5 Set-Asides
- Rural: Current for all countries
- High Unemployment: Current for all countries
- Infrastructure: Current for all countries
DATES FOR FILING – FAMILY SPONSORED CATEGORIES
The following Dates for Filing cutoff dates will apply for family-sponsored categories, which will determine whether an adjustment of status application can be filed with USCIS in October:
These dates are unchanged from the November Visa Bulletin
| Family- Sponsored |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 01APR05 | 22APR15 |
| F2A | 01SEP23 | 01SEP23 | 01SEP23 | 01SEP23 | 01SEP23 |
| F2B | 01JAN17 | 01JAN17 | 01JAN17 | 01AUG04 | 01OCT13 |
| F3 | 01MAR10 | 01MAR10 | 01MAR10 | 15JUN01 | 08NOV03 |
| F4 | 01MAR08 | 01MAR08 | 22FEB06 | 15APR01 | 22APR04 |
Dates for Filing December 2023
F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- Mexico: April 1, 2005
- Philippines: April 22, 2015
- All other countries: September 1, 2017
F-2A Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
- All countries: September 1, 2023
F-2B Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents
- Mexico: August 1, 2004
- Philippines: October 1, 2013
- All other countries: January 1, 2017
F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- Mexico: June 15, 2001
- Philippines: November 8, 2003
- All other countries: March 1, 2010
F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- India: February 22, 2006
- Mexico: April 15, 2001
- Philippines: April 22, 2004
- All other countries: March 1, 2008
FINAL ACTION DATES – FAMILY SPONSORED CATEGORIES
The following Final Action cutoff dates will apply for family-sponsored categories:
These dates are unchanged from the November Visa Bulletin
| Family- Sponsored |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA-mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 01JAN15 | 01JAN15 | 01JAN15 | 01MAY01 | 01MAR12 |
| F2A | 08FEB19 | 08FEB19 | 08FEB19 | 01FEB19 | 08FEB19 |
| F2B | 22SEP15 | 22SEP15 | 22SEP15 | 01MAY02 | 22OCT11 |
| F3 | 08JAN09 | 08JAN09 | 08JAN09 | 22MAR98 | 08JUN02 |
| F4 | 22APR07 | 22APR07 | 08OCT05 | 15SEP00 | 22AUG02 |
Final Action Dates December 2023
F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- Mexico: May 1, 2001
- Philippines: March 1, 2012
- All other countries: January 1, 2015
F-2A Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
- Mexico: February 1, 2019
- All other countries: February 8, 2019
F-2B Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents
- Mexico: May 1, 2002
- Philippines: October 22, 2011
- All other countries: September 22, 2015
F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- Mexico: March 22, 1998
- Philippines: June 8, 2002
- All other countries: January 8, 2009
F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- Mexico: September 15, 2000
- India: October 8, 2005
- Philippines: August 22, 2002
- All other countries: April 22, 2007
Conclusion
In conclusion, the only real change that can be seen in the December Visa Bulletin is in the Final Action Dates chart for the employment-based categories EB-2 China which will advance by three weeks to October 22, 2019, and EB-3 China which will advance by three weeks to January 22, 2020.
EB-4 Certain Religious Workers will become unavailable in the month of December.
As we do every month, we will keep you updated on the upcoming movement and changes in the Visa Bulletin right here on our blog.
Contact Us. If you would like to schedule a consultation, please text 619-569-1768 or call 619-819-9204.
Helpful Links
- December Visa Bulletin
- November Visa Bulletin
- Adjustment of Status Filing Dates from Visa Bulletin
- USCIS Processing Times
- USCIS Announces End of COVID-Related Flexibilities
- USCIS Processing Times
- Immigrant Visa Backlog Report
- DOS Visa Services Operating Status Update
- ImmigrationLawyerBlog
- ImmigrationU Membership
- Success stories
- Youtube channel
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