Business Immigration Insights

The Visa Bulletin is released monthly by the Department of State and is used to determine when a sponsored foreign national can submit the final step of the green card process. The complete visa bulletin can be found here.

Below is a summary of the July Visa Bulletin, including Final Action Dates and changes from the previous month.

• China: After four months of non-activity, EB-1 leaps forward more than ten weeks to May 8, 2017; EB-2 advances three months to November 1, 2016; and EB-3 jumps ahead three and a half months to January 1, 2016
• India: EB-1 freezes at January 1, 2015; EB-2 creeps forward five days to April 24, 2009; and EB-3 remains stalled at July 1, 2009
• Philippines: EB-1 freezes at April 22, 2018; EB-2 remains current; and EB-3 becomes current for the first time since December 2004
• All Other Countries: EB-1 stalls at April 22, 2018; EB-2 and EB-3 remain current

NOTE 1:     The July Visa Bulletin includes a note warning of little to no forward movement for all EB-1 categories in the coming months, with likely retrogression in September.

NOTE 2:     USCIS will not accept I-485 applications in July based on the Department of State’s Dates for Filing chart. Applicants must use the Final Action Dates chart.