The March 2021 Visa Bulletin was released late yesterday afternoon. Most categories saw steady movement, with employment-based categories (particularly EB2 India and EB3 India) seeing fairly significant movement compared to recent months. EB1, EB2, and EB3 All Countries all remain current, which is always welcome. Please note that USCIS has indicated that the Final Action Dates chart is to be used this month by applicants filing for their greencards in the employment-based and F2A categories.
Commentary:
March 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 22 July 2015, F4 category advances 7 days to 22 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 22 July 2015, F4 advances 7 days to a PD of 22 March 2005; EB1 advances 213 days to a PD of 1 August 2020; EB2 advances 95 days to 15 January 2010; EB3 advances 91 days to a PD of 1 July 2010; EB5 Non-Regional Center and Regional Center remains current.
For China only: EB1 advances 213 days to a PD of 1 August 2020; EB2 advances 30 days to a PD of 15 July 2016; EB3 advances 38 days to a PD of 8 February 2018; EB5 Non-Regional Center and Regional Center remains at a PD of 15 August 2015.
For Vietnam only: EB5 Non-Regional Center and Regional Center advances 21 days to a PD of 22 October 2017.
Can file your immigrant applications if PD before:
(Note that the Final Action Dates chart is being used this month for employment-based and F2A categories, so applicants falling under those categories should refer to the above PDs to determine whether they can file their immigrant applications).
F2A 1 February 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, including China and 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. REPORTING CHANGES OF ADDRESS FOR CASES BEING PROCESSED OVERSEAS
All readers should be aware that any change of address or email for applicants processing their case overseas should always be reported to the National Visa Center (NVC). It is essential that NVC have the correct address and email so they can send information regarding the processing of the case to the applicant.
When contacting NVC directly about an immigrant visa petition, always include the following information:
- NVC case number or USCIS receipt number
- Principal applicant’s name
- Principal applicant’s date of birth
- Petitioner’s name
CEAC (Consular Electronic Application Center)
Email addresses can be added or updated by logging into your CEAC portal at https://ceac.state.gov/iv.
Email
For updates to your physical address or for other questions, you may email NVC by using the online Public Inquiry Form located at: https://nvc.state.gov/inquiry.
Telephone – (603) 334-0700
Customer Service Representatives can speak with you Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to Midnight (Eastern Time), excluding holidays.
F. OBTAINING THE MONTHLY VISA BULLETIN
To be placed on the Department of State’s E-mail subscription list for the “Visa Bulletin”, please send an E-mail to the following E-mail address:
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