January 2016
Application Final Action Dates For Employment-based Preference Cases
| Employment-Based | All Charge-ability Areas Except Those Listed |
China: mainland born | India | Mexico | Philippines |
| 1st | Current | Current | Current | Current | Current |
| 2nd | Current | February 1st 2012 | February 1st 2008 | Current | Current |
| 3rd | October 1st 2015 | July 1st 2012 | May 15th 2004 | October 1st 2015 | November 1st 2007 |
| Other Workers | October 1st 2015 | December 1st 2006 | May 15th 2004 | October 1st 2015 | November 1st 2007 |
| 4th | Current | Current | Current | Current | Current |
| Certain Religious Workers | Unavailable | Unavailable | Unavailable | Unavailable | Unavailable |
|
5th Non-Regional Center (C5 and T5) |
Current | January 8th 2014 | Current | Current | Current |
|
5th Regional Center (I5 and R5) |
Unavailable | Unavailable | Unavailable | Unavailable | Unavailable |
Dates For Filing Of Employment-based Visa Applications
| Employment- Based | All Charge-ability Areas Except Those Listed | China: mainland born | India | Mexico | Philippines |
| 1st | Current | Current | Current | Current | Current |
| 2nd | Current | January 1st 2013 | July 1st 2009 | Current | Current |
| 3rd | January 1st 2016 | October 1st 2013 | July 1st 2005 | January 1st 2016 | January 1st 2010 |
| Other Workers | January 1st 2016 | January 1st 2007 | July 1st 2005 | January 1st 2016 | January 1st 2010 |
| 4th | Current | Current | Current | Current | Current |
| Certain Religious Workers | Current | Current | Current | Current | Current |
| 5th Non-Regional Center (C5 and T5) | Current | May 1st 2015 | Current | Current | Current |
| 5th Regional Center (I5 and R5) | Current | May 1st 2015 | Current | Current | Current |
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.
Application Final Action Dates For Family-sponsored Preference Cases
| Family-Sponsored | All Charge-ability Areas Except Those Listed | China: mainland born | India | Mexico | Philippines |
| F1 | May 15th 2008 | May 15th 2008 | May 15th 2008 | December 22nd 1994 | June 1st 2003 |
| F2A | August 1st 2014 | August 1st 2014 | August 1st 2014 | June 1st 2014 | August 1st 2014 |
| F2B | April 1st 2009 | April 1st 2009 | April 1st 2009 | September 8th 1995 | January 1st 2005 |
| F3 | August 1st 2004 | August 1st 2004 | August 1st 2004 | August 1st 1994 | November 1st 1993 |
| F4 | April 22nd 2003 | April 22nd 2003 | April 22nd 2003 | April 1st 1997 | July 22nd 1992 |
Dates For Filing Family-sponsored Visa Applications
| Family- Sponsored | All Charge-ability Areas Except Those Listed | China: mainland born | India | Mexico | Philippines |
| F1 | October 1st 2009 | October 1st 2009 | October 1st 2009 | April 1st 1995 | September 1st 2005 |
| F2A | June 15th 2015 | June 15th 2015 | June 15th 2015 | June 15th 2015 | June 15th 2015 |
| F2B | December 15th 2010 | December 15th 2010 | December 15th 2010 | April 1st 1996 | May 1st 2005 |
| F3 | August 1st 2005 | August 1st 2005 | August 1st 2005 | May 1st 1995 | August 1st 1995 |
| F4 | May 1st 2004 | May 1st 2004 | May 1st 2004 | June 1st 1998 | January 1st 1993 |
First: (F1) Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
Second: Spouses and Children, and Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents
A. (F2A) Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
B. (F2B) Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents
Third: (F3) Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
Fourth: (F4) Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens