February 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 March 1st 2012 August 1st 2008 Current Current
3rd October 1st 2015 October 1st 2012 June 15th 2004 October 1st 2015 January 8th 2008
Other Workers October 1st 2015 December 22nd 2006 June 15th 2004 October 1st 2015 January 8th 2008
4th Current Current Current Current Current
Certain Religious Workers Current Current Current Current Current

5th Non-Regional Center (C5 and T5)

Current January 15th 2014 Current Current Current

5th Regional Center (I5 and R5)

Current January 15th 2014 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 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 July 8th 2008 July 8th 2008 July 8th 2008 January 1st 1995 November 1st 2003
F2A September 1st 2014 September 1st 2014 September 1st 2014 June 8th 2014 September 1st 2014
F2B May 15th 2009 May 15th 2009 May 15th 2009 September 8th 1995 February 1st 2005
F3 October 1st 2004 October 1st 2004 October 1st 2004 September 8th 1994 November 22nd 1993
F4 June 8th 2003 June 8th 2003 June 8th 2003 April 1st 1997 August 8th 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