January 2017 Visa Bulletin: Filing Dates Stagnant; EB-1 Cutoff Looming?

As the hustle and bustle of the holidays comes to an end, we take a look at January 2017 Visa Bulletin listing the priority dates eligible for “Application Final Action,” i.e. when an I-485 adjustment of status (AOS) application may be approved or an immigrant visa (IV) issued, and the priority dates eligible for “Filing Applications,” i.e. when an AOS or IV application may be filed.

Since the new fiscal year began in October 2016, we have seen across the board advances in the “Application Final Action Dates” in the family-based categories, with each of the family-based categories advancing at least a few weeks.  That remains the case in January, as every category will advance with the exception of the Mexican second-preference for unmarried sons and daughters of Permanent Residents (F2B) ​, which does not advance.

In the employment-based categories, the EB-1 category remains current for all countries.  There will be minimal movement in the other categories with the exception of EB-3 India, which will remain at March 15, 2005.

The “Dates for Filing” for all family- and employment-based categories and all countries will remain the same as the December 2016 visa bulletin.

Looking ahead, in a December meeting with the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Charles Oppenheim, Chief of the Visa Control and reporting Division at the Department of State, indicated that a final action cutoff date will need to be imposed in the EB-1 category for India and China later this year.  Mr. Oppenheim also expects a final action cutoff date in EB-2 Worldwide due to heavy demand, as well as stagnation in the EB-2 category for China.
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You can view the visa bulletin in its entirety below. Please contact us with any questions.

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