The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has published the Monthly Visa Bulletin for April 2023 revealing movement in only one of the commonly-used categories of Dates for Filing and in several categories of Final Action Dates. The movement in Final Action Dates is both forward and backward. 

Dates for Filing and Final Action Dates remain current in the EB-1 category for all countries of birth except China and India, which continue to show the backlogs that appeared in the January 2023 Visa Bulletin. In terms of Dates for Filing, only the EB-3 category for individuals born in China (PRC) moderately advanced. For Final Action Dates, the EB-2 category for individuals born in China, India, and “All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed” retrogressed (significantly for those born in India), and the “Other Workers” category moderately advanced. All other Dates for Filing and Final Action Dates in the “Other Workers” category remained unchanged. 

 The EB-5 Unreserved category continues to show backlogs in the Dates for Filing and Final Action Dates for individuals born in China and India, though there were no changes from the prior month. All other EB-5 categories and countries of birth are current on both the Dates for Filing and Final Action Dates. 

 Notably, the April 2023 Visa Bulletin does not contain a separate column for individuals born in El Salvador, Guatemala, or Honduras as was the case in prior months. Individuals born in these countries are now included in the “All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed” column. 

 USCIS has confirmed on its website that beneficiaries of employment-based immigrant petitions should use the Final Action Dates to determine eligibility to file adjustment of status (“green card”) applications. 

The chart below indicates the changes in the April 2023 Visa Bulletin relative to the March 2023 Visa Bulletin:  

Foster LLP will continue to track immigrant visa availability and provide updates about any developments via Immigration Updates©, articles, and blogs on our website at www.fosterglobal.com.