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Department of State summary of the January 2016 Bulletin Visa.
A. APPLICATION FINAL ACTION DATES FOR
FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASES
FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASES
On the chart below, the listing of a date for any class indicates that the class is oversubscribed (see paragraph 1); "C" means current, i.e., numbers are authorized for issuance to all qualified applicants; and "U" means unauthorized, i.e., numbers are not authorized for issuance. (NOTE: Numbers are authorized for issuance only for applicants whose priority date is earlierthan the cut-off date listed below.)
| Family-Sponsored | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | CHINA-mainland born | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 15MAY08 | 15MAY08 | 15MAY08 | 22DEC94 | 01JUN03 |
| F2A | 01AUG14 | 01AUG14 | 01AUG14 | 01JUN14 | 01AUG14 |
| F2B | 01APR09 | 01APR09 | 01APR09 | 08SEP95 | 01JAN05 |
| F3 | 01AUG04 | 01AUG04 | 01AUG04 | 01AUG94 | 01NOV93 |
| F4 | 22APR03 | 22APR03 | 22APR03 | 01APR97 | 22JUL92 |
*NOTE: For January, F2A numbers EXEMPT from per-country limit are authorized for issuance to applicants from all countries with priority datesearlier than 01JUN14. F2A numbers SUBJECT to per-country limit are authorized for issuance to applicants chargeable to all countries EXCEPT MEXICO with priority dates beginning 01JUN14 and earlier than 01AUG14. (All F2A numbers provided for MEXICO are exempt from the per-country limit; there are no F2A numbers for MEXICO subject to per-country limit.)
B. DATES FOR FILING FAMILY-SPONSORED
VISA APPLICATIONS
VISA APPLICATIONS
The chart below reflects dates for filing visa applications within a timeframe justifying immediate action in the application process. Applicants for immigrant visas who have a priority date earlier than the cut-off date in the chart below may assemble and submit required documents to the Department of State’s National Visa Center, following receipt of notification from the National Visa Center containing detailed instructions. The cut-off date for an oversubscribed category is the priority date of the first applicant who cannot submit documentation to the National Visa Center for an immigrant visa. If a category is designated “current,” all applicants in the relevant category may file applications, regardless of priority date.
The “C” listing indicates that the category is current, and that applications may be filed regardless of the applicant’s priority date. The listing of a date for any category indicates that only applicants with a priority date which isearlier than the listed date may file their application.
Visit www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo for information on whether USCIS has determined that this chart can be used (in lieu of the chart in paragraph 4.A.) this month for filing applications for adjustment of status with USCIS.
| Family- Sponsored | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | CHINA- mainland born | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 01OCT09 | 01OCT09 | 01OCT09 | 01APR95 | 01SEP05 |
| F2A | 15JUN15 | 15JUN15 | 15JUN15 | 15JUN15 | 15JUN15 |
| F2B | 15DEC10 | 15DEC10 | 15DEC10 | 01APR96 | 01MAY05 |
| F3 | 01AUG05 | 01AUG05 | 01AUG05 | 01MAY95 | 01AUG95 |
| F4 | 01MAY04 | 01MAY04 | 01MAY04 | 01JUN98 | 01JAN93 |
5. Section 203(b) of the INA prescribes preference classes for allotment of Employment-based immigrant visas as follows:
EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCES
First: Priority Workers: 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required for fourth and fifth preferences.
Second: Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability: 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required by first preference.
Third: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers: 28.6% of the worldwide level, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences, not more than 10,000 of which to "*Other Workers".
Fourth: Certain Special Immigrants: 7.1% of the worldwide level.
Fifth: Employment Creation: 7.1% of the worldwide level, not less than 3,000 of which reserved for investors in a targeted rural or high-unemployment area, and 3,000 set aside for investors in regional centers by Sec. 610 of Pub. L. 102-395.
A. APPLICATION FINAL ACTION DATES FOR
EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES
EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES
On the chart below, the listing of a date for any class indicates that the class is oversubscribed (see paragraph 1); "C" means current, i.e., numbers are authorized for issuance to all qualified applicants; and "U" means unauthorized, i.e., numbers are not authorized for issuance. (NOTE: Numbers are authorized for issuance only for applicants whose priority date is earlierthan the cut-off date listed below.)
| Employment- Based |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed
| CHINA - mainland born | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| 1st | C | C | C | C | C |
| 2nd | C | 01FEB12 | 01FEB08 | C | C |
| 3rd | 01OCT15 | 01JUL12 | 15MAY04 | 01OCT15 | 01NOV07 |
| Other Workers | 01OCT15 | 01DEC06 | 15MAY04 | 01OCT15 | 01NOV07 |
| 4th | C | C | C | C | C |
| Certain Religious Workers | U | U | U | U | U |
5th
Non-Regional Center (C5 and T5) | C | 08JAN14 | C | C | C |
5th
Regional Center (I5 and R5) | U | U | U | U | U |
*Employment Third Preference Other Workers Category: Section 203(e) of the Nicaraguan and Central American Relief Act (NACARA) passed by Congress in November 1997, as amended by Section 1(e) of Pub. L. 105-139, provides that once the Employment Third Preference Other Worker (EW) cut-off date has reached the priority date of the latest EW petition approved prior to November 19, 1997, the 10,000 EW numbers available for a fiscal year are to be reduced by up to 5,000 annually beginning in the following fiscal year. This reduction is to be made for as long as necessary to offset adjustments under the NACARA program. Since the EW cut-off date reached November 19, 1997 during Fiscal Year 2001, the reduction in the EW annual limit to 5,000 began in Fiscal Year 2002.
B. DATES FOR FILING OF EMPLOYMENT-BASED
VISA APPLICATIONS
VISA APPLICATIONS
The chart below reflects dates for filing visa applications within a timeframe justifying immediate action in the application process. Applicants for immigrant visas who have a priority date earlier than the cut-off date in the chart may assemble and submit required documents to the Department of State’s National Visa Center, following receipt of notification from the National Visa Center containing detailed instructions. The cut-off date for an oversubscribed category is the priority date of the first applicant who cannot submit documentation to the National Visa Center for an immigrant visa. If a category is designated “current,” all applicants in the relevant category may file, regardless of priority date.
The “C” listing indicates that the category is current, and that applications may be filed regardless of the applicant’s priority date. The listing of a date for any category indicates that only applicants with a priority date which isearlier than the listed date may file their application.
Visit www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo for information on whether USCIS has determined that this chart can be used (in lieu of the chart in paragraph 5.A.) this month for filing applications for adjustment of status with USCIS.
| Employment- Based | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | CHINA- mainland born | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| 1st | C | C | C | C | C |
| 2nd | C | 01JAN13 | 01JUL09 | C | C |
| 3rd | 01JAN16 | 01OCT13 | 01JUL05 | 01JAN16 | 01JAN10 |
| Other Workers | 01JAN16 | 01JAN07 | 01JUL05 | 01JAN16 | 01JAN10 |
| 4th | C | C | C | C | C |
| Certain Religious Workers | C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Non-Regional Center (C5 and T5) | C | 01MAY15 | C | C | C |
| 5th Regional Center (I5 and R5) | C | 01MAY15 | C | C | C |
