The February 2021 Visa Bulletin was released today. No major changes to note for the upcoming month with steady movement in most categories. Please note that USCIS has indicated that the Final Action Dates chart is to be used this month by applicants filing for their employment-based greencards.
Commentary:
February 2021
For all countries except India, China, Philippines, and Mexico: F2A category priority date remains current, F2B preference advances 7 days to a PD of 15 July 2015, F4 category advances 7 days to 15 October 2006; EB1 remains current; EB2 remains current; and EB3 remains current.
For India only: F2A category remains current, F2B preference advances 7 days to 15 July 2015, F4 remains at a PD of 15 March 2005; EB1 advances 122 days to a PD of 1 January 2020; EB2 advances 4 days to 12 October 2009; EB3 advances 10 days to a PD of 1 April 2010; EB5 Non-Regional Center remains current and the Regional Center is once again current as well.
For China only: EB1 advances 122 days to a PD of 1 January 2020; EB2 advances 14 days to a PD of 15 June 2016; EB3 advances 17 days to a PD of 1 January 2018; EB5 Non-Regional Center remains at a PD of 15 August 2015 and the Regional Center is now at a PD of 15 August 2015 as well.
For Vietnam only: EB5 Non-Regional Center advances 16 days to a PD of 1 October 2017 and the Regional Center is now is now at a PD of 1 October 2017 as well.
Can file your immigrant applications if PD before:
F2A 1 January 2021; F2B 22 May 2016 for All Areas, except 22 December 1999 for Mexico and 15 April 2012 for Philippines; F4 1 October 2007 for All Areas, except 1 December 2005 for India, 8 May 1999 for Mexico, and 1 October 2002 for Philippines.
EB1 Current for all countries, except 1 November 2020 for China and 1 November 2020 for India; EB2 All countries except India and China are current; EB3 Current for all countries except India and China; EB2 India remains at 15 May 2011; EB3 India remains at 1 January 2014; EB2 China remains at 1 October 2016; EB3 China remains at 1 June 2018; EB5 China (RC and Non-RC) remains at 15 December 2015; Vietnam is not individually listed and should use the all countries category.
Notes copied from the Department of State regarding Visa availability:
D. FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION ON VISA PROCESSING AT U.S. EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, PLEASE VISIT THE BUREAU OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS WEBSITE AT TRAVEL.STATE.GOV
E. VISA AVAILABILITY IN THE COMING MONTHS
FAMILY-sponsored categories (potential monthly movement)
Worldwide dates:
F1: Up to two weeks
F2A: Current
F2B: Up to two weeks
F3: Up to three weeks
F4: Up to two weeks
EMPLOYMENT-based categories (potential monthly movement)
Employment First:
Worldwide: Current
China: Up to six months
India: Up to six months
Employment Second:
Worldwide: Current
China: Up to three weeks
India: Up to two weeks
Employment Third:
Worldwide: Current
China: Up to one month
India: Up to three weeks
Mexico: Current
Philippines: Current
Employment Fourth: Current for most countries
El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras: Up to three months
Mexico: Up to one month
Employment Fifth: The category will remain “Current” for most countries
China: No forward movement
Vietnam: Up to three weeks
The above final action date projections for the Family and Employment categories indicate what is likely to happen on a monthly basis through May. The determination of the actual monthly final action dates is subject to fluctuations in applicant demand and a number of other variables impacting processing.
F. ANNUAL REPORT OF IMMIGRANT VISA APPLICANTS IN THE FAMILY-SPONSORED AND EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCES REGISTERED AT THE NATIONAL VISA CENTER AS OF NOVEMBER 1, 2020
The National Visa Center has provided the totals of applicants who are registered in the various numerically-limited immigrant categories for processing at overseas posts. This information is available on the Consular Affairs www.travel.state.gov website. The direct link to the item is:
G. OBTAINING THE MONTHLY VISA BULLETIN
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