July Visa Bulletin
/Each month, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) publishes the Visa Bulletin, listing all "preference" categories and states whether a backlog exists for each one. In addition, the categories are folded into two charts: “Final Action” chart and a “Dates for Filing” chart for Family-Based immigration and Employment-Based immigration.
For July 2022, USCIS has indicated that for Employment-Based immigration, the “Final Action Dates” chart should be used in establishing eligibility to file the I-485 Adjustment of Status petitions. This means that those who filed an Immigrant Petition [Form I-140] on or before the date given in the Visa Bulletin may file an application for permanent resident status [Form I-485].
In July, the EB-1 preference category on the Final Action Chart for all countries including China and India remains “current.” This means the I-485 applications may be filed immediately with the Form I-140. Also, any otherwise qualified national of China or India with an approved EB-1, I-140 may file the I-485 in July.
The EB-2 preference category remains “current” for all countries other than China and India, which means that individuals in these categories may immediately file I-485 applications. China and India remain backlogged on both the Final Action and Dates for Filing Charts.
The EB-3 preference category is also “current” for all countries other than China and India. In June, the final action dates for EB-3 preference categories for Chinese and Indian nationals were March 22, 2018, and January 15, 2012, respectively. They have progressed slightly for July and are respectively April 1, 2018, and January 22, 2012.
The EB-5 preference category has been reformed under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act. The May visa bulletin added three new categories for EB-5 processing, which remain on July’s visa bulletin. All EB-5 preference categories are “current” except for EB-5 Unreserved (I5 and R5) for China.
The complete Visa Bulletin, including priority dates for family-based immigrant applications, can be found on the Department of State website.
If you have questions about planning, please schedule a consultation with one of the attorneys at Iandoli, Desai & Cronin (info@iandoli.com).
