Application Final Action Dates for Chinese nationals in the EB-3 category will advance eight months to Jun. 1, 2013, according to the State Department’s March Visa Bulletin. The priority date for the EB-3 China category remains ahead of the date for EB-2 China, continuing a trend that was also observed at this point last year.

The EB-2 China category will advance five months to Aug. 1, 2012. EB-2 India will advance 2 1/2 months to Oct. 15, 2008. All other EB-2 categories will remain current.

Final action dates for most EB-3 categories will make modest advancements. EB-3 India will advance one month to Jul. 15, 2004. EB-3 Philippines will advance by just over two months to Mar. 15, 2008. EB-3 Mexico and all other countries will advance three months to Jan. 1, 2016.

All EB-1 categories will remain current.

Final Action Dates for Employment-Based Preference Cases:

Preference China India Mexico Philippines All Other Countries
EB-1 Current Current Current Current Current
EB-2 Aug. 1, 2012 Oct. 15, 2008 Current Current Current
EB-3 June 1, 2013 July 15, 2004 Jan. 1, 2016 March 15, 2008 Jan. 1, 2016
Other workers Feb. 1, 2007 July 15, 2004 Jan. 1, 2016 March 15, 2008 Jan. 1, 2016

The State Department also released its Dates for Filing chart for March. Those with priority dates earlier than the date listed for their category may be eligible to file for adjustment of status in March. Applicants seeking to file for adjustment of status are reminded that Dates for Filing do not control the process unless U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services confirms they do via a web posting in the coming week.

Dates for Filing of Employment-Based Visa Applications:

Preference China India Mexico Philippines All Other Countries
EB-1 Current Current Current Current Current
EB-2 June 1, 2013 July 1, 2009 Current Current Current
EB-3 May 1, 2015 July 1, 2005 Current Jan. 1, 2010 Current
Other workers Aug. 1, 2007 July 1, 2005 Current Jan. 1, 2010 Current

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