The January Visa Bulletin from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs indicates no substantial movement in the filing dates for employment-based green cards. However, there has been minor progress in the final action dates for the second and third preference categories (skilled workers), with each advancing by 15 days.
Similarly, the third preference category for unskilled workers also experienced a 15-day advancement. The filing and final action dates for the first preference category remain current.
For January, applicants in the U.S. under the first preference category may file their I-485 green card application concurrently with an I-140 petition. Those outside the U.S. do not need to await the visa bulletin’s final action date as the visa remains current.
However, due to backlogs at U.S. embassies, securing immigrant visa interviews for applicants abroad continues to take a considerable amount of time.
For employment-based second preference green cards, the priority date for filing I-485 remains August 1, 2023. Applicants abroad with priority dates preceding April 1, 2023, may secure visa interviews and immigrant visas in January.
In the third preference category, applicants who filed their labor certification before March 1, 2023, may submit their I-485 green card applications in January concurrently with an I-140 petition. For applicants awaiting visas abroad, those with labor certifications filed and approved before December 1, 2022, can expect interviews in January.
For unskilled workers in the third preference category, this date is December 8, 2020. In the U.S., unskilled workers with labor certifications filed before May 22, 2021, may file I-485 applications.
Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
