Dates for Filing or Final Action Dates?
Your green card application is full of forms, instructions, and dates. The two most important pieces of info at this stage as you wait for your adjustment of status are the Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing. Each month, USCIS announces which date is to be used for applicants living in the US. In October, those filing for family-based and employment-based green cards are to use the Dates for Filing.
Remember, if you qualify for more than one green card category, you may be able to use the petition for whichever has the least wait time. Talk to your immigration lawyer, like those of us at Visa2US, to find out what is best for your situation.
Family-Based Green Cards
Applying for a green card to join your family or have them join you? Here are the dates you need to know.
● F-1/Unmarried Children 21 and Older of US Citizens
- General Category remains the same as September 1, 2017
- China remains the same as September 1, 2017
- India remains the same as September 1, 2017
- Mexico remains the same as April 1, 2005
- Philippines remains the same as April 22, 2015.
- Overall, no changes.
● F-2A/Spouses and Unmarried Children Under 21 of US Green Card Holders
- China remains the same as September 1, 2023
- India remains the same as September 1, 2023
- Mexico remains the same as September 1, 2023
- Philippines remains the same as September 1, 2023.
- Overall, no change; however, the backlog is mostly current.
● F-2B/Unmarried Children 21 or Older of US Green Card Holders
- General category remains the same as January 1, 2017
- China remains the same as January 1, 2017
- India remains the same as January 1, 2017
- Mexico remains the same as August 1, 2004
- Philippines remains the same as October 1, 2013.
- Overall, no change.
● F-3/Married Children of US Citizens
- General Category remains the same as March 1, 2010
- China remains the same as March 1, 2010
- India remains the same as March 1, 2010
- Mexico remains the same as June 15, 2001
- Philippines remains the same as November 8, 2003.
- Overall, no changes.
● F-4/Sibling of US Citizens
- General category remains the same as March 1, 2008
- China remains the same as March 1, 2008
- India remains the same as February 22, 2006
- Mexico remains the same as April 15, 2001
- Philippines remains the same as April 22, 2004.
- Overall, no changes.
Employment-Based Green Cards
● EB-1/Extraordinary People, Outstanding Researchers and Professors, Multinational Executives and Managers
- General Category is down two months with no wait
- China is down six months to August 1, 2022, from February 1, 2022
- Central America is down two months to no wait
- India is down seven years, seven months to July 1, 2019, from January 1, 2012
- Mexico is down two months to no wait
- Philippines is down two months to no wait.
- Overall, India is the biggest mover here, jumping ahead seven years. China’s jump of six months brings it a year shy of being current. All other categories have moved forward to no wait.
● EB-2/Exceptional People or Advanced Degree Holders
- General category is down six months from July 1, 2022, to January 1, 2023
- China is down 5 months, three weeks from July 8, 2019, to January 1, 2020
- Central America is down six months from July 1, 2022, to January 1, 2023
- India is down one year, four months, and two weeks from January 1, 2011, to May 15, 2012
- Mexico is down six months from July 1, 2022, to January 1, 2023
- Philippines is down six months from July 1, 2022, to January 1, 2023.
- Overall, India is the fastest mover in this category, as well. All other countries have forward movement.
● EB-3/Bachelors Degree Holders, Skilled Workers, Unskilled Workers
- General category is down two years and 9 months from May 1, 2020, to February 1, 2023
- China is down one year from September 1, 2019, to September 1, 2020
- Central America is down two years and 9 months from May 1, 2020, to Febuary 1, 2023
- India is down three years and eight months from January 1, 2009, to August 1, 2012
- Mexico is down two years and nine months from May 1, 2020, to Febuary 1, 2023
- Philippines is down two years and eight months from May 1, 2020, to January 1, 2023.
- Overall, India continues to be the fastest mover, but all countries show forward momentum.
● EB-4/Special Immigrants
- General Category is down six months from September 1, 2018, to March 1, 2019
- China is down six months from September 1, 2018, to March 1, 2019
- Central America is down six months from September 1, 2018, to March 1, 2019
- India is down six months from September 1, 2018, to March 1, 2019
- Mexico is down six months from September 1, 2018, to March 1, 2019
- Philippines is down six months from September 1, 2018, to March 1, 2019
- Vietnam is down six months from September 1, 2018, to March 1, 2019.
- Overall, all countries in this category have decreased wait times by six months to March 1, 2019.
● EB-5/Investors
- General Category remains current with no wait
- China is down one year, three months, and three weeks from September 8, 2015, to January 1, 2017
- Central America remains unchanged with no wait
- India is down 5 years from April 1, 2017, to April 1, 2022
- Mexico remains unchanged with no wait
- Philippines remains unchanged with no wait
- Vietnam remains unchanged with no wait.
- Overall, no change, except India with a jump forward five years.
What’s Next?
The Visa Bulletin is a great resource to help you track the changes in your green card category. But if you have any other questions about your H-1B visa or employment concerns, contact our expert legal professionals at Visa2US.
