October 2015 Visa Bulletin: New Chart for "Dates for Filing Applications".

As reported earlier, the October VisaBulletin provides two charts for both employment-based and family-based immigrant visa categories.  The first chart called the "Final Action Chart" (existing chart) is for determining when visa numbers actually become available so that applicants with current priority date will be eligible to receive a green card. The other chart ("Filing Dates" Chart) is new and determines when a visa applicant may file his or her I-485 and related applications (or start National Visa Center processing for overseas applicants). The main purpose of creating the new charts is to reduce volatility in cutoff dates and provide predictability to both government agencies and visa applicants. The new charts provide many benefits such as early filing of applications, which is good news for immigrant visa applicants.

AD: Dates for Final Action

FD : Dates for Filing Applications

FAMILY		Other Countries	China	India	Mexico	Philippines
F1	AD	01/15/2008	01/15/2008	01/15/2008	11/22/1994	06/01/2001
	FD	05/01/2009	05/01/2009	05/01/2009	07/01/1995	09/01/2005
F2A	AD	04/15/2014	04/15/2014	04/15/2014	03/01/2014	04/15/2014
	FD	03/01/2015	03/01/2015	03/01/2015	03/01/2015	03/01/2015
F2B	AD	01/15/2009	01/15/2009	01/15/2009	08/01/1995	10/01/2004
	FD	07/01/2010	07/01/2010	07/01/2010	01/01/1996	01/01/2005
F3	AD	05/22/2004	05/22/2004	05/22/2004	06/08/1994	10/01/1993
	FD	04/01/2005	04/01/2005	04/01/2005	10/01/1996	08/01/1995
F4	AD	02/08/2003	02/08/2003	02/08/2003	03/22/1997	05/01/1992
	FD	02/01/2004	02/01/2004	02/01/2004	05/01/1998	01/01/1993

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	India	Mexico	Philippines
EB1	AD	C	C	C	C	C
	FD	C	C	C	C	C
EB2	AD	C	01/01/2012	05/01/2005	C	C
	FD	C	05/01/2014	07/01/2011	C	C
EB3	AD	08/15/2015	10/15/2011	03/08/2004	08/15/2015	01/01/2007
	FD	09/01/2015	10/01/2013	07/01/2005	09/01/2015	01/01/2015
Other Workers	AD	08/15/2015	01/01/2006	03/08/2004	08/15/2015	01/01/2007
	FD	09/01/2015	01/01/2007	07/01/2005	09/01/2015	01/01/2015
EB4	AD	C	C	C	C	C
	FD	C	C	C	C	C
EB5	AD	C	10/08/2013	C	C	C
	FD	C	05/01/2015	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)