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November 2021 Visa Bulletin – Some Modest Forward Movement and Significant Retrogression

14 Oct

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has published the Monthly Visa Bulletin for November 2021, revealing a mix of backward and forward movement on both the “Dates for Filing” and “Final Action Dates” charts.   

The November Visa Bulletin reveals modest forward movement in the Dates for Filing and Final Action Dates under the EB-2 category for individuals born in China (PRC) or India; however, there is significant retrogression in both Dates for Filing and Final Action Dates in the EB-3 category for individuals born in these countries. The Other Workers category is mixed with modest forward movement in the Final Action Date for individuals born in China (PRC) but significant retrogression in both the Date for Filing and Final Action Date for individuals born in India. 

Dates for Filing and Final Action Dates remain current in the EB-1 category for all countries of birth. The dates also remain current for those born outside of China (PRC) and India in the EB-2, EB-3, and Other Workers categories. EB-5 remains current on the Dates for Filing for those born outside of China (PRC) and Vietnam. The EB-5 Regional Center category remains unavailable for the Final Action Dates as the Regional Center program remains suspended until Congress renews it. 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has not yet confirmed on its website whether beneficiaries of employment-based immigrant petitions immigrant petitions should use the Final Action Dates rather than the Dates for Filing, when filing adjustment of status (“green card”) applications. In October, USCIS advised such beneficiaries to use the Dates for Filing.

Please review the chart here for the specific changes shown on the November 2021 Visa Bulletin relative to the October 2021 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.