Archive
October 2020 Employment-Based Visa Numbers – Eligibility to File Adjustment of Status Applications
Employment-
|
All CountriesExcept
|
CHINA-
|
EL SALVADOR
|
INDIA |
MEXICO |
PHILIPPINES |
1st |
C |
01SEP20 |
C |
01SEP20 |
C |
C |
2nd |
C |
01OCT16 |
C |
15MAY11 |
C |
C |
3rd |
C |
01JUN18 |
C |
01JAN15 |
C |
C |
Other Workers |
C |
01OCT08 |
C |
01JAN15 |
C |
C |
4th |
C |
C |
01FEB18 |
C |
C |
C |
Certain Religious Workers |
C |
C |
01FEB18 |
C |
C |
C |
5th Non-RegionalCenter(C5 and T5) |
C |
15DEC15 |
C |
C |
C |
C |
5th RegionalCenter(I5 and R5) |
C |
15DEC15 |
C |
C |
C |
C |
August 2020 Employment-Based Visa Numbers – Eligibility to File Adjustment of Status Applications
Employment-
|
All CountriesExcept
|
CHINA-
|
El-SalvadorGuatemalaHonduras |
India |
Mexico |
Philippines |
Vietnam |
1st |
C |
08FEB18 |
C |
08FEB18 |
C |
C |
C |
2nd |
C |
15JAN16 |
C |
08JUL09 |
C |
C |
C |
3rd |
01APR19 |
15FEB17 |
01APR19 |
01OCT09 |
01APR19 |
01APR19 |
01APR19 |
OtherWorkers |
01APR19 |
01AUG08 |
01APR19 |
01OCT09 |
01APR19 |
01APR19 |
01APR19 |
4th |
C |
C |
01APR17 |
C |
15JUN18 |
C |
C |
Certain ReligiousWorkers |
C |
C |
01APR17 |
C |
15JUN18 |
C |
C |
5th Non-RegionalCenter(C5 and T5) |
C |
08AUG15 |
C |
C |
C |
C |
22JUL17 |
5th RegionalCenter(I5 and R5) |
C |
08AUG15 |
C |
C |
C |
C |
22JUL17 |
U.S. Dept of State resumes Consular Operations in a Phased Manner
The State Dept. suspended consular operations across the world in March 2020 as a result of global COVID-19 pandemic. The State Dept. recently announced that beginning on July 15, 2020, consular posts may begin a phased reopening of routine visa services, depending on local conditions. The State Dept. also indicated that visa applicants/stakeholders should monitor embassy and consular post websites for updates on the status of their services. Some posts have already begun posting relevant guidance. It is imperative to note that the State Dept. does not have a specific date regarding each consular post’s resumption of operations. Consular websites could be found here: https://www.usembassy.gov
July 2020 Employment-Based Visa Numbers – Eligibility to File Adjustment of Status Applications
Employment-Based |
All CountriesAreas ExceptThose Listed |
CHINA-mainlandBorn |
El-SalvadorGuatemalaHonduras |
India |
Mexico |
Philippines |
Vietnam |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1st |
C |
22AUG17 |
C |
08MAY17 |
C |
C |
C |
2nd |
C |
08NOV15 |
C |
08JUL09 |
C |
C |
C |
3rd |
15APR18 |
22JUN16 |
15APR18 |
01JUN09 |
15APR18 |
15APR18 |
15APR18 |
OtherWorkers |
15APR18 |
22JUL08 |
15APR18 |
01JUN09 |
15APR18 |
15APR18 |
15APR18 |
4th |
C |
C |
01FEB17 |
C |
15JUN18 |
C |
C |
CertainReligiousWorkers |
C |
C |
01FEB17 |
C |
15JUN18 |
C |
C |
5thNon-RegionalCenter(C5 and T5) |
C |
22JUL15 |
C |
C |
C |
C |
15MAY17 |
5thRegionalCenter(I5 and R5) |
C |
22JUL15 |
C |
C |
C |
C |
15MAY17 |
President Trump Signs Executive Order Suspending Entry of Certain Immigrants
President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order (EO) on April 22, 2020 suspending entry of immigrants into the United States. The rationale provided by the President for signing the EO was that immigrants present risk to the U.S. labor market during the economic recovery following the COVID-19 outbreak.
Effective Date; Duration: The EO goes into effect at 11:59 p.m. EDT tonight (April 23), expiring 60 days from April 23, i.e. Monday June 22, 2020.
Leaves Room for Continuation and/or Modification: Whenever appropriate, but no later than 50 days from April 23, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Labor, recommend whether the President should continue or modify the EO.
Leaves Room of Future Impact on Nonimmigrant Visa Programs Esp. Work Visas: The EO does not impact foreign workers in visa programs such as H-1B, L-1, TN and other nonimmigrant visa types at this time. However, within 30 days from April 23, the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall review nonimmigrant programs and shall recommend to the President other measures appropriate to stimulate the United States economy and ensure the prioritization, hiring, and employment of United States workers.
Who is Included in the EO (Subject to Suspension):
- The entry of immigrants who are outside the United States and do not have a valid immigrant visa (i.e. a green card equivalent stamp typically issued by a U.S. consular post) as of the effective date of EO, or do not have an official travel document other than an immigrant visa (such as a transportation letter, an appropriate boarding foil, or an advance parole document) that is valid on the effective date or issued on any date thereafter that permits him or her to travel to the United States and seek entry or admission. Immigrant Visa refers to the individuals seeking permanent residence, i.e. green card.
Who is Not Included in the EO (Exempt):
- Lawful Permanent Residents of the United States, i.e. Green Card holders. If outside the U.S., they are not subject to the suspension of entry as a result of this EO.
- Nonimmigrant visa applicants or holders (such as H-1B, L-1, F-1, etc.). However, as mentioned above, there is a 30 day-window within which Secretaries of the three Federal agencies are required to notify the President if any additional measures are necessary to protect the U.S. workforce.
- Individuals with pending Form I-485 adjustment applications, holding an advance parole to return to the U.S.
- Physicians, nurses, or other healthcare professionals entering the U.S. to perform medical research or other research intended to combat the spread of COVID-19; or to perform work essential to combating, recovering from, or otherwise alleviating the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak, as determined by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or their respective designees; and any spouse and unmarried children under 21 years old of any such alien who are accompanying or following to join such professionals.
- EB-5 immigrant investors.
- Spouses of U.S. citizens.
- Individuals under the age of 21 that are either the children of U.S. citizens or prospective adoptees.
- Individuals who further important United States law enforcement objectives, as determined by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or their respective designees, based on a recommendation of the Attorney General or his designee.
- Any member of the United States Armed Forces and any spouse and children of a member of the United States Armed Forces.
- Any individual seeking to enter the United States pursuant to a Special Immigrant Visa in the SI (Iraqi and Afghan interpreters/translators) or SQ (Iraqis Who Worked for/on Behalf of the U.S. Government) classification, subject to such conditions as the Secretary of State may impose, and any spouse and children of any such individual.
- Any individual whose entry would be in the U.S. national interest, as determined by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or their respective designees.
- Individuals seeking asylum or refugee status.
Implementation/Enforcement at the Consulates: The consular officers shall determine whether an immigrant has established his or her eligibility for any of the above-mentioned exceptions.
Quick Analysis: It is imperative to note that the EO does not suspend or restrict immigrant (such as I-140, I-130 etc.) or nonimmigrant (H-1B, L-1, etc.) visa petition filings with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the U.S.; does not prevent employers from applying for LCAs (Labor Condition Applications), PERM/Labor filings for individuals seeking permanent residence, or filing of selected H-1B cap-subject petitions. The EO does not suspend or restrict filing of adjustment applications (I-485) by eligible foreign nationals physically present in the U.S. seeking to obtain permanent residence. All applications that are typically filed with USCIS will continue to be accepted and are otherwise not impacted by the EO, at least for the next 30 days.
Our office will closely monitor the implementation of the EO and any actions taken by the Trump Administration pursuant to the EO over the course of next 60 days.
April 2020 Employment-Based Visa Numbers – Eligibility to File Adjustment of Status Applications
EmploymentBased |
All CountriesAreas except Those Listed |
CHINA-mainlandBorn |
El-SalvadorGuatemalaHonduras |
India |
Mexico |
Philippines |
Vietnam |
1st |
01JUN19 |
08JUN17 |
01JUN19 |
01MAY15 |
01JUN19 |
01JUN19 |
01JUN19 |
2nd |
C |
01SEP15 |
C |
25MAY09 |
C |
C |
C |
3rd |
01JAN17 |
15APR16 |
01JAN17 |
22JAN09 |
01JAN17 |
01JAN17 |
01JAN17 |
OtherWorkers |
01JAN17 |
01JUL08 |
01JAN17 |
22JAN09 |
01JAN17 |
01JAN17 |
01JAN17 |
4th |
C |
C |
15JUL16 |
C |
22JAN18 |
C |
C |
CertainReligious Workers |
C |
C |
15JUL16 |
C |
22JAN18 |
C |
C |
5thNon-Regional Center(C5 and T5) |
C |
15MAY15 |
C |
01JAN19 |
C |
C |
08FEB17 |
5thRegional Center(I5 and R5) |
C |
15MAY15 |
C |
01JAN19 |
C |
C |
08FEB17 |
October 2019 Visa Bulletin – Employment-Based Visa Numbers – Eligibility to File Adjustment of Status Applications
For Employment-Based Preference Filings:
You must use the Dates for Filing chart in the Department of State Visa Bulletin for October 2019.
Employment-
|
All Chargeability
|
CHINA-
|
EL SALVADOR
|
INDIA |
MEXICO |
PHILIPPINES |
1st |
01JUL19 |
01SEP17 |
01JUL19 |
15MAR17 |
01JUL19 |
01JUL19 |
2nd |
C |
01AUG16 |
C |
01JUL09 |
C |
C |
3rd |
C |
01MAR17 |
C |
01FEB10 |
C |
C |
Other Workers |
C |
01AUG08 |
C |
01FEB10 |
C |
C |
4th |
C |
C |
15AUG16 |
C |
C |
C |
Certain Religious Workers |
C |
C |
15AUG16 |
C |
C |
C |
5th Non-Regional Center(C5 and T5) |
C |
01JAN15 |
C |
C |
C |
C |
5th Regional Center(I5 and R5) |
C |
01JAN15 |
C |
C |
C |
C |
August 2019 Visa Bulletin – Employment-Based Visa Numbers – Eligibility to File Adjustment of Status Applications
For Employment-Based Preference Filings:
You must use the Final Action Dates chart in the Department of State Visa Bulletin for August 2019.
Employment- Based |
All ChargeabilityAreas ExceptThose Listed |
CHINA-mainlandborn |
El SalvadorGuatemalaHonduras |
INDIA |
MEXICO |
PHILIPPINES |
VIETNAM |
1st |
01JUL16 |
01JUL16 |
01JUL16 |
01JAN15 |
01JUL16 |
01JUL16 |
01JUL16 |
2nd |
01JAN17 |
01JAN17 |
01JAN17 |
02MAY09 |
01JAN17 |
01JAN17 |
01JAN17 |
3rd |
01JUL16 |
01JUL16 |
01JUL16 |
01JAN06 |
01JUL16 |
01JUL16 |
01JUL16 |
Other Workers |
01JUL16 |
22NOV07 |
01JUL16 |
01JAN06 |
01JUL16 |
01JUL16 |
01JUL16 |
4th |
C |
C |
01JUL16 |
C |
01JUL16 |
C |
C |
Certain Religious Workers |
C |
C |
01JUL16 |
C |
01JUL16 |
C |
C |
5thNon-RegionalCenter(C5 and T5) |
C |
15OCT14 |
C |
15OCT14 |
C |
C |
15OCT14 |