VISA BULLETIN FOR JANUARY 2016
The Department of State (DOS) released the Visa Bulletin for the month of January. Below is a summary of employment-based green card categories listing "Final Action Dates" and "Dates For Filing."
"Final Action Dates" = individuals with priority dates before the dates listed in the chart below have a green card available to them during the month of January, therefore, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may take final action and approve their green card application.
"Dates for Filing" = individuals with priority dates before the dates listed in the chart below are eligible to file their green card applications during the month of January. When their priority dates advance to the "Final Action Dates" the USCIS will be able to approve their green card application.
Green Card "Dates for Filing" Availability Dates
|
Employment-
Based
|
All Chargeability
Areas Except
Those Listed
|
CHINA-
mainland
born
|
INDIA
|
MEXICO
|
PHILIPPINES
|
|
1st
|
Current
|
Current
|
Current
|
Current
|
Current
|
|
2nd
|
Current
|
01JAN13
|
01JUL09
|
Current
|
Current
|
|
3rd
|
01JAN16
|
01OCT13
|
01JUL05
|
01JAN16
|
01JAN10
|
|
Other Workers
|
01JAN16
|
01JAN07
|
01JUL05
|
01JAN16
|
01JAN10
|
|
4th
|
Current
|
Current
|
Current
|
Current
|
Current
|
|
Certain Religious
Workers
|
Current
|
Current
|
Current
|
Current
|
Current
|
|
5th Non-Regional
Center (C5 and T5)
|
Current
|
01MAY15
|
Current
|
Current
|
Current
|
|
5th Regional Center
(I5 and R5)
|
Current
|
01MAY15
|
Current
|
Current
|
Current
|
Green Card Approval "Final Action Dates"
|
Employment- Based
|
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed
|
CHINA - mainland born
|
INDIA
|
MEXICO
|
PHILIPPINES
|
|
1st
|
Current
|
Current
|
Current
|
Current
|
Current
|
|
2nd
|
Current
|
01FEB12
|
01FEB08
|
Current
|
Current
|
|
3rd
|
01OCT15
|
01JUL12
|
15MAY04
|
01OCT15
|
01NOV07
|
|
Other Workers
|
01OCT15
|
01DEC06
|
15MAY04
|
01OCT15
|
01NOV07
|
|
4th
|
Current
|
Current
|
Current
|
Current
|
Current
|
|
Certain Religious Workers
|
Unauthorized
|
Unauthorized
|
Unauthorized
|
Unauthorized
|
Unauthorized
|
|
5th
Non-Regional
Center
(C5 and T5)
|
Current
|
08JAN14
|
Current
|
Current
|
Current
|
|
5th
Regional
Center
(I5 and R5)
|
Unauthorized
|
Unauthorized
|
Unauthorized
|
Unauthorized
|
Unauthorized
|
Month-to-month availability of immigrant visas varies and depends on many factors. These forecasts do not guarantee future availability.
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