Every month the USCIS, in coordination with the Department of State, issues the Visa Bulletin. It indicates which green card applications can move forward based on when the petition was filed. It lets you estimate how long it will take to get your green card. Once your petition has been filed, you’ll be able to check the Visa Bulletin and watch your place in line.
Most recently, the U.S. government announced the Visa Bulletin for January 2023. The biggest update is EB-1 retrogression for India and China-born applicants. It is the first time since March 2021 that EB-1 is not current for all countries. The Final Action Dates for India and China in the EB-1 category is February 1, 2022, while the Dates for Filing are June 1, 2022.
We explain below everything you need to know about this critical monthly update for employment-based immigration applicants.
A) DATES FOR FILING OF EMPLOYMENT-BASED VISA APPLICATIONS
This chart indicates when the 2nd stage of your Green Card process (Adjustment of Status or NVC) can be submitted.
EB-2 remained the same as December 2022:
China remained on July 8, 2019
India stayed on May 1, 2012
All other countries of chargeability: December 1, 2022
EB-1 – retrogression comparing to December 2022:
All Chargeability Areas are Current, which means that you can file and get approved with I-485 right away.
The date for filing for China and India is June 1, 2022. This means that India and China-born applicants can file I-485 if their priority date of the client is on or before June 1, 2022.
B) FINAL ACTION DATES FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES
This chart shows which priority dates have reached the front of the line. The green card applications are ready for approval right now.
Final action dates show no changes in 2nd preference and retrogression for India and China in 1st preference:
- EB-2 remained the same as December 2022:
- India: October 8, 2011
- China: June 8, 2019
- All other countries of chargeability: November 1, 2022
- EB-1: significant retrogression for India and China:
- India: February 1, 2022
- China: February 1, 2022
- All other countries of chargeability: remains Current
