November 2021 Visa Bulletin: Major Retrogression of EB-3 India/China Filing Dates

For November, the headline news is the retrogression of the Filing Dates for EB-3 India and China:

• EB-3 India:  Retrogression of 23.5 months to 01/22/2012
• EB-3 China: Retrogression of 9 months to 04/01/2018

Charles Oppenheim of State Department's Visa Control office already predicted possible retrogression last month. Charles explained that as of October 1st, there were already enough applicants to use up all employment-based visa quota for FY 2022.

However, the Final Action Dates for EB-2 India and China advance:

• EB-2 India:  Advancement of of 6 months to 12/01/2011
• EB-2 China: Advancement of 5 months to 11/15/2018

The cutoff dates for Family visa categories have mostly stayed the same.

As with the October Visa Bulletin, USCIS has announced that I-485 adjustment applicants must use the Dates for Filing chart (FD Chart) in both the family-based and employment-based cases, except the F2A category. F2A applicants can use the Final Action Date chart because final action dates are "current".  

Please see below for details.

AD: Dates for Final Action (Green Card Approval)           
FD: Dates for Filing Applications Only

Family		Other Countries	China	India	Mexico	Philippines
F1	AD	12/01/2014	12/01/2014	12/01/2014	01/15/1999	03/01/2012
	FD	05/15/2016	05/15/2016	05/15/2016	08/01/2000	04/22/2015
F2A	AD	C	C	C	C	C
	FD	06/01/2021	06/01/2021	06/01/2021	06/01/2021	06/01/2021
F2B	AD	09/22/2015	09/22/2015	09/22/2015	03/15/2000	10/22/2011
	FD	09/22/2016	09/22/2016	09/22/2016	10/01/2000	10/01/2013
F3	AD	11/22/2008	11/22/2008	11/22/2008	05/15/1997	06/08/2002
	FD	08/22/2009	08/22/2009	08/22/2009	09/08/2000	10/01/2003
F4	AD	03/22/2007	03/22/2007	09/15/2005	02/08/1999	08/22/2002
	FD	10/01/2007	10/01/2007	01/01/2006	06/01/1999	02/01/2004

1st: Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Citizens (about 23,400 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 23,400 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	Vietnam
EB1	AD	C	C	C	C	C	C	C
	FD	C	C	C	C	C	C	C
EB2	AD	C	11/15/2018	C	12/01/2011	C	C	C
	FD	C	02/01/2019	C	01/08/2013	C	C	C
EB3	AD	C	03/22/2018	C	01/15/2012	C	C	C
	FD	C	04/01/2018	C	01/22/2012	C	C	C
Other Workers	AD	C	03/01/2010	C	01/15/2012	C	C	C
	FD	C	05/01/2010	C	01/22/2012	C	C	C
EB4	AD	C	C	05/15/2019	C	04/01/2020	C	C
	FD	C	C	05/15/2019	C	C	C	C
EB5	AD	C	11/22/2015	C	C	C	C	C
	FD	C	12/15/2015	C	C	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) 

 *(IR&R5 are "Unavailable in the November visa bulletin)

(Immigration laws and policies change regularly.  If you have any questions regarding this article, please visit www.1visa1.com to schedule legal consultation.)