FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCES
First: (F1) Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens: 23,400 plus any numbers not required for fourth preference.
Second: Spouses and Children, and Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents: 114,200, plus the number (if any) by which the worldwide family preference level exceeds 226,000, plus any unused first preference numbers:
A. (F2A) Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents: 77% of the overall second preference limitation, of which 75% are exempt from the per-country limit;
B. (F2B) Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents: 23% of the overall second preference limitation.
Third: (F3) Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens: 23,400, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences.
Fourth: (F4) Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens: 65,000, plus any numbers not required by first three preferences.
A. FINAL ACTION DATES FOR FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASES
On the chart below, the listing of a date for any class indicates that the class is oversubscribed (see paragraph 1); “C” means current, i.e., numbers are authorized for issuance to all qualified applicants; and “U” means unauthorized, i.e., numbers are not authorized for issuance. (NOTE: Numbers are authorized for issuance only for applicants whose priority date is earlier than the final action date listed below.)
| Family- Sponsored |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA-mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 22MAR11 | 22MAR11 | 22MAR11 | 22JUL96 | 15OCT05 |
| F2A | 22MAR16 | 22MAR16 | 22MAR16 | 01MAR16 | 22MAR16 |
| F2B | 01MAR11 | 01MAR11 | 01MAR11 | 15OCT96 | 08SEP06 |
| F3 | 15DEC05 | 15DEC05 | 15DEC05 | 22JUN95 | 22MAR95 |
| F4 | 22AUG04 | 22AUG04 | 01FEB04 | 15NOV97 | 22NOV94 |
*NOTE: For March, F2A numbers EXEMPT from per-country limit are authorized for issuance to applicants from all countries with priority dates earlier than 01MAR16. F2A numbers SUBJECT to per-country limit are authorized for issuance to applicants chargeable to all countries EXCEPT MEXICO with priority dates beginning 01MAR16 and earlier than 22MAR16. All F2A numbers provided for MEXICO are exempt from the per-country limit.
B. DATES FOR FILING FAMILY-SPONSORED VISA APPLICATIONS
The chart below reflects dates for filing visa applications within a timeframe justifying immediate action in the application process. Applicants for immigrant visas who have a priority date earlier than the application date in the chart below may assemble and submit required documents to the Department of State’s National Visa Center, following receipt of notification from the National Visa Center containing detailed instructions. The application date for an oversubscribed category is the priority date of the first applicant who cannot submit documentation to the National Visa Center for an immigrant visa. If a category is designated “current,” all applicants in the relevant category may file applications, regardless of priority date.
The “C” listing indicates that the category is current, and that applications may be filed regardless of the applicant’s priority date. The listing of a date for any category indicates that only applicants with a priority date which is earlier than the listed date may file their application.
Visit www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo for information on whether USCIS has determined that this chart can be used (in lieu of the chart in paragraph 4.A.) this month for filing applications for adjustment of status with USCIS.
| Family- Sponsored |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 01JAN12 | 01JAN12 | 01JAN12 | 08SEP97 | 01OCT07 |
| F2A | 01MAY17 | 01MAY17 | 01MAY17 | 01MAY17 | 01MAY17 |
| F2B | 01SEP11 | 01SEP11 | 01SEP11 | 01JAN97 | 01SEP07 |
| F3 | 01DEC05 | 01DEC05 | 01DEC05 | 01APR97 | 15JUN95 |
| F4 | 22JAN05 | 22JAN05 | 22JUN04 | 08FEB98 | 01MAR95 |
EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCES
First: Priority Workers: 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required for fourth and fifth preferences.
Second: Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability: 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required by first preference.
Third: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers: 28.6% of the worldwide level, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences, not more than 10,000 of which to “*Other Workers”.
Fourth: Certain Special Immigrants: 7.1% of the worldwide level.
Fifth: Employment Creation: 7.1% of the worldwide level, not less than 3,000 of which reserved for investors in a targeted rural or high-unemployment area, and 3,000 set aside for investors in regional centers by Sec. 610 of Pub. L. 102-395.
A. FINAL ACTION DATES FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES
On the chart below, the listing of a date for any class indicates that the class is oversubscribed (see paragraph 1); “C” means current, i.e., numbers are authorized for issuance to all qualified applicants; and “U” means unauthorized, i.e., numbers are not authorized for issuance. (NOTE: Numbers are authorized for issuance only for applicants whose priority date is earlier than the final action date listed below.)
| Employment- based |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
EL SALVADOR GUATEMALA HONDURAS |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| 1st | C | C | C | C | C | C |
| 2nd | C | 08DEC13 | C | 15DEC08 | C | C |
| 3rd | C | 15NOV14 | C | 01JAN07 | C | 01MAY16 |
| Other Workers | C | 01MAR07 | C | 01JAN07 | C | 01MAY16 |
| 4th | C | C | 01DEC15 | C | 01JUL16 | C |
| Certain Religious Workers | C | C | 01DEC15 | C | 01JUL16 | C |
| 5th Non-Regional Center (C5 and T5) |
C | 22JUL14 | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Regional Center (I5 and R5) |
C | 22JUL14 | C | C | C | C |
B. DATES FOR FILING OF EMPLOYMENT-BASED VISA APPLICATIONS
The chart below reflects dates for filing visa applications within a timeframe justifying immediate action in the application process. Applicants for immigrant visas who have a priority date earlier than the application date in the chart may assemble and submit required documents to the Department of State’s National Visa Center, following receipt of notification from the National Visa Center containing detailed instructions. The application date for an oversubscribed category is the priority date of the first applicant who cannot submit documentation to the National Visa Center for an immigrant visa. If a category is designated “current,” all applicants in the relevant category may file, regardless of priority date.
The “C” listing indicates that the category is current, and that applications may be filed regardless of the applicant’s priority date. The listing of a date for any category indicates that only applicants with a priority date which is earlier than the listed date may file their application.
| Employment- based |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
EL SALVADOR GUATEMALA HONDURAS |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| 1st | C | C | C | C | C | C |
| 2nd | C | 01FEB15 | C | 08FEB09 | C | C |
| 3rd | C | 01JAN16 | C | 01JAN08 | C | 01OCT16 |
| Other Workers | C | 01JUN08 | C | 01JAN08 | C | 01OCT16 |
| 4th | C | C | 15APR16 | C | C | C |
| Certain Religious Workers | C | C | 15APR16 | C | C | C |
| 5th Non-Regional Center (C5 and T5) |
C | 01SEP14 | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Regional Center (I5 and R5) |
C | 01SEP14 | C | C | C | C |
