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

The October Visa Bulletin reveals modest forward movement in the Dates for Filing under the EB-2 India category but backwards movement in the EB-3 and Other Workers categories for individuals born in India. The Dates for Filing in the EB-3 category for individuals born in China (PRC) also moved backwards.

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 posted on its website that beneficiaries of employment-based immigrant petitions may file Applications to Adjust Status (“green card” applications) based on the October Visa Bulletin’s Dates for Filing chart. Beneficiaries who have pending green card applications should look at the Final Action chart to see if their priority dates are current for purposes of approving their green card applications.

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