December 2016
Application Final Action Dates For Employment-Based Preference Cases
| Employ- ment based | All Charge- ability Areas Except Those Listed | China: mainland born | El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras | India | Mexico | Philippines |
| 1st | Current | Current | Current | Current | Current | Current |
| 2nd | Current | September 22nd 2012 | Current | February 1st 2008 | Current | Current |
| 3rd | July 1st 2016 | July 1st 2013 | July 1st 2016 | March 15th 2005 | July 1st 2016 | June 1st 2011 |
| Other Workers | July 1st 2016 | November 1st 2005 | July 1st 2016 | March 15th 2005 | July 1st 2016 | June 1st 2011 |
| 4th | Current | Current | July 15th 2015 | Current | July 15th 2015 | Current |
| Certain Religious Workers | Current | Current | July 15th 2015 | Current | July 15th 2015 | Current |
| 5th Non-Regional Center (C5 and T5) | Current | March 22nd 2014 | Current | Current | Current | Current |
| 5th Regional Center (I5 and R5) | Current | March 22nd 2014 | Current | Current | Current | Current |
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 | March 1st 2013 | April 22nd 2009 | Current | Current |
| 3rd | Current | May 1st 2014 | July 1st 2005 | Current | September 1st 2013 |
| Other Workers | Current | August 1st 2009 | July 1st 2005 | Current | September 1st 2013 |
| 4th | Current | Current | Current | Current | Current |
| Certain Religious Workers | Current | Current | Current | Current | Current |
| 5th Non-Regional Center (C5 and T5) | Current | June 15th 2014 | Current | Current | Current |
| 5th Regional Center (I5 and R5) | Current | June 15th 2014 | 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 | December 1st 2009 | December 1st 2009 | December 1st 2009 | April 15th 1995 | September 15th 2005 |
| F2A | February 22nd 2015 | February 22nd 2015 | February 22nd 2015 | February 15th 2015 | February 22nd 2015 |
| F2B | May 8th 2010 | May 8th 2010 | May 8th 2010 | October 15th 1995 | March 1st 2006 |
| F3 | February 15th 2005 | February 15th 2005 | February 15th 2005 | December 8th 1994 | August 15th 1994 |
| F4 | December 22nd 2003 | October 1st 2003 | April 1st 2003 | May 15th 1997 | May 22nd 1993 |
Dates For Filing Family-sponsored Visa Applications
| Family- Sponsored | All Charge-ability Areas Except Those Listed | China: mainland born | India | Mexico | Philippines |
| F1 | January 1st 2011 | January 1st 2011 | January 1st 2011 | June 1st 1995 | May 1st 2006 |
| F2A | November 22nd 2015 | November 22nd 2015 | November 22nd 2015 | November 22nd 2015 | November 22nd 2015 |
| F2B | February 8th 2011 | February 8th 2011 | February 8th 2011 | June 1st 1996 | February 1st 2007 |
| F3 | August 22nd 2005 | August 22nd 2005 | August 22nd 2005 | May 1st 1995 | January 1st 1995 |
| F4 | July 1st 2004 | July 1st 2004 | May 1st 2004 | December 1st 1997 | April 1st 1994 |
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