December 2016 Visa Bulletin: EB-2 India, EB-2/EB-3 China Advance

In the December Visa Bulletin, EB-2 India advances 3 months.  EB-2 China and EB-3 China move forward 9 weeks and 2.5 months respectively.  

EB-3 China remains ahead of EB-2 China.  Therefore, downgrading of the I-140 remains an option for Chinese-born applicants.

EB-3 Philippines moves forward by 2 months.

Due to a large of number employment-based adjustment cases filed during late last winter, EB-1 India and China is expected to have a cutoff date (no longer current) later in the fiscal year. EB-3 India will only advance one week per month or not advance at all. 

Family First Preference advances 5.5 weeks for most countries.  Other family categories have small advancements. 

USE OF DATES FOR FILING APPLICATIONS BY USCIS -
USCIS has determined that applicants in the family-sponsored and employment-based, first through fourth preference categories may use the Dates for Filing Visa Applications chart in the DOS Visa Bulletin for December 2016. 
However, employment-based, fifth preference applicants must use the Application Final Action Dates chart in the December Visa Bulletin.

See here for how to apply for Adjustment of Status.

AD: Dates for Final Action (Approval)

FD : Dates for Filing Applications

FAMILY		Other Countries	China	India	Mexico	Philippines
F1	AD	12/01/2009	12/01/2009	12/01/2009	04/15/1995	09/15/2005
	FD	01/01/2011	01/01/2011	01/01/2011	06/01/1995	05/01/2006
F2A	AD	02/22/2015	02/22/2015	02/22/2015	02/15/2015	02/22/2015
	FD	11/22/2015	11/22/2015	11/22/2015	11/22/2015	11/22/2015
F2B	AD	05/08/2010	05/08/2010	05/08/2010	10/15/1995	03/01/2006
	FD	02/08/2011	02/08/2011	02/08/2011	06/01/1996	02/01/2007
F3	AD	02/15/2005	02/15/2005	02/15/2005	12/08/1994	08/15/1994
	FD	08/22/2005	08/22/2005	08/22/2005	05/01/1995	01/01/1995
F4	AD	12/22/2003	10/01/2003	04/01/2003	05/15/1997	05/22/1993
	FD	07/01/2004	07/01/2004	05/01/2004	12/01/1997	04/01/1994

1st: Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Citizens (about 23,000 per year).

2A: The 2 "A" preference is for Spouses and Children (under 21 & unmarried) of LPR's.

2B: The 2 "B" Preference is for Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 or older) of LPR's.

3rd: Married Sons and Daughters of Citizens.(about 23,000 per year)

4th: Brothers and Sisters of Adult Citizens.(about 65,000 per year)

Employment		Other Countries	China	El Salvador Guatemala Honduras	India	Mexico	Philippines
EB1	AD	C	C	C	C	C	C
	FD	C	C	N/A	C	C	C
EB2	AD	C	09/22/2012	C	02/01/2008	C	C
	FD	C	03/01/2013	N/A	04/22/2009	C	C
EB3	AD	07/01/2016	07/01/2013	07/01/2016	03/15/2005	07/01/2016	06/01/2011
	FD	C	05/01/2014	N/A	07/01/2005	C	09/01/2013
Other Workers	AD	07/01/2016	11/01/2005	07/01/2016	03/15/2005	07/01/2016	06/01/2011
	FD	C	08/01/2009	N/A	07/01/2005	C	09/01/2013
EB4	AD	C	C	07/15/2015	C	C	C
	FD	C	C	N/A	C	C	C
EB5	AD	C	03/22/2014	C	C	C	C
	FD	C	06/15/2014	N/A	C	C	C

1st: Priority Workers (Extraordinary ability aliens, multinational companies executives/managers,outstanding prof./researchers)
2nd: Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability.
3rd: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers (Unskilled.)
4th: "Special Immigrants" (Religious & others)
5th: Employment Creation (Investors)