February 2016 Visa Bulletin: India EB-2 and China EB-3 Action Dates Advance

In February 2016’s Visa Bulletin, “filing dates” for all visa categories did not change at all, which indicates that USCIS will not accept new applications for now. The "final action dates” advance steadily for most visa categories while USCIS is slowly processing the existing backlog. India’s EB-2 action date moves forward significantly by 6 months.  China's EB-3 advances three months, continuing its lead over its EB-2 counterpart.  Downgrading to EB-3 remains a viable option for Chinese applicants.

AD: Dates for Final Action

FD : Dates for Filing Applications

FAMILY		Other Countries	China	India	Mexico	Philippines
F1	AD	07/08/2008	07/08/2008	07/08/2008	01/01/1995	11/01/2003
	FD	10/01/2009	10/01/2009	10/01/2009	04/01/1995	09/01/2005
F2A	AD	09/01/2014	09/01/2014	09/01/2014	06/08/2014	09/01/2014
	FD	06/15/2015	06/15/2015	06/15/2015	06/15/2015	06/15/2015
F2B	AD	05/15/2009	05/15/2009	05/15/2009	09/08/1995	02/01/2005
	FD	12/15/2010	12/15/2010	12/15/2010	04/01/1996	05/01/2005
F3	AD	10/01/2004	10/01/2004	10/01/2004	09/08/1994	11/22/1993
	FD	08/01/2005	08/01/2005	08/01/2005	05/01/1995	08/01/1995
F4	AD	06/08/2003	06/08/2003	06/08/2003	04/01/1997	08/08/1992
	FD	05/01/2004	05/01/2004	05/01/2004	06/01/1998	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	03/01/2012	08/01/2008	C	C
	FD	C	01/01/2013	07/01/2009	C	C
EB3	AD	10/01/2015	10/01/2012	06/15/2004	10/01/2015	01/08/2008
	FD	01/01/2016	10/01/2013	07/01/2005	01/01/2016	01/01/2010
Other Workers	AD	10/01/2015	12/22/2006	06/15/2004	10/01/2015	01/08/2008
	FD	01/01/2016	01/01/2007	07/01/2005	01/01/2016	01/01/2010
EB4	AD	C	C	C	C	C
	FD	C	C	C	C	C
EB5	AD	C	01/15/2014	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)