January 2017 Visa Bulletin: EB-2 India Advances 2.5 Months

In the January 2017 Visa Bulletin, EB-2 India advances 2.5 months.  EB-2 China and EB-3 China move forward 3 weeks and 9 weeks respectively.  

EB-3 China remains ahead of EB-2 China.  Therefore, downgrading of the I-140 remains an option for Chinese-born applicants in order to expedite their green card application process.

EB-3 Philippines moves forward by 7 weeks.

Due to a large of number employment-based adjustment cases filed during late last winter, EB-3 India stays unchanged. 

All family categories for most countries have advancements ranging from 2 - 7 weeks except for Mexico, which has smaller advancements, ranging from 0 to 3 weeks.

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	01/08/2010	01/08/2010	01/08/2010	04/22/1995	10/01/2005
	FD	01/01/2011	01/01/2011	01/01/2011	06/01/1995	05/01/2006
F2A	AD	03/22/2015	03/22/2015	03/22/2015	03/08/2015	03/22/2015
	FD	11/22/2015	11/22/2015	11/22/2015	11/22/2015	11/22/2015
F2B	AD	06/08/2010	06/08/2010	06/08/2010	10/15/1995	04/08/2006
	FD	02/08/2011	02/08/2011	02/08/2011	06/01/1996	02/01/2007
F3	AD	03/01/2005	03/01/2005	03/01/2005	12/15/1994	09/01/1994
	FD	08/22/2005	08/22/2005	08/22/2005	05/01/1995	01/01/1995
F4	AD	01/22/2004	11/22/2003	05/15/2003	05/15/1997	06/08/1993
	FD	07/01/2004	07/01/2004	05/01/2004	12/01/1997	04/01/19

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	10/15/2012	C	04/15/2008	C	C
	FD	C	03/01/2013	N/A	04/22/2009	C	C
EB3	AD	08/01/2016	09/08/2013	08/01/2016	03/15/2005	08/01/2016	07/22/2011
	FD	C	05/01/2014	N/A	07/01/2005	C	09/01/2013
Other Workers	AD	08/01/2016	12/01/2005	08/01/2016	03/15/2005	08/01/2016	07/22/2011
	FD	C	08/01/2009	N/A	07/01/2005	C	09/01/2013
EB4	AD	C	C	07/15/2015	C	07/15/2015	C
	FD	C	C	N/A	C	C	C
EB5	AD	C	04/08/2014	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)