Visa Lawyer Blog
The U.S. Department of State has released its March 2023 Visa Bulletin.
To help you prepare for your upcoming immigrant visa or green card filing, we share what you can expect to see in the employment based and family preference categories for the month of March.
What is the Visa Bulletin?
The Department of State releases the visa bulletin on a monthly basis, which summarizes the availability of immigrant visa numbers for that particular month in the employment and family preference categories.
To be eligible to file an employment-based adjustment of status application in March 2023, foreign nationals must have a priority date that is earlier than the Dates for Filing chart as listed in the Department of State’s March Visa Bulletin.
Those currently residing in the United States, may file for adjustment of status once their priority dates become current, following the Dates for Filing chart according to the adjustment of status filing guidance published by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Adjustment of Status Filing Chart March 2023
For Family-Sponsored Filings:
Pursuant to guidance released by USCIS, for all family-sponsored preference categories, applicants must use the Dates for Filing chart in the Department of State Visa Bulletin for March 2023.
For Employment-Based Preference Filings:
All applicants, falling under employment-based preference categories, must use the Dates for Filing chart in the Department of State Visa Bulletin for March 2023.
March 2023 Visa Bulletin Dates for Filing Cutoff Dates
Employment-Based Categories
FINAL ACTION DATES FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES
According to the Department of State’s March 2023 Visa Bulletin, the following Dates For Filing cutoff dates will apply for employment-based categories, which will determine whether an adjustment of status application can be filed with USCIS in March:
- EB-1: All countries will remain current, except for India and China, which will have a cutoff date of June 1, 2022.
- EB-2: India will remain at May 1, 2012. China will remain at July 8, 2019. All other countries will remain at December 1, 2022.
- EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers: India will remain at August 1, 2012, and China will remain at September 1, 2018. All other countries will remain current.
- EB-3 Other Workers: India will remain at August 1, 2012. China will remain at November 1, 2015. All other countries will remain at February 1, 2020.
- EB-4: El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras will remain at April 15, 2018. India will retrogress over one year, to April 1, 2021, Mexico will retrogress six weeks, to September 1, 2020, and all other countries will retrogress over four months, to March 1, 2022.
- EB-5: For the EB-5 Unreserved categories (C5, T5, I5, and R5), China will remain at January 1, 2016, India will remain at December 8, 2019, and all other countries will remain current. The EB-5 “Set-Aside” categories (Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure) will also remain current.
| Employment- based |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
EL SALVADOR GUATEMALA HONDURAS |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| 1st | C | 01JUN22 | C | 01JUN22 | C | C |
| 2nd | 01DEC22 | 08JUL19 | 01DEC22 | 01MAY12 | 01DEC22 | 01DEC22 |
| 3rd | C | 01SEP18 | C | 01AUG12 | C | C |
| Other Workers | 01FEB20 | 01NOV15 | 01FEB20 | 01AUG12 | 01FEB20 | 01FEB20 |
| 4th | 01MAR22 | 01MAR22 | 15APR18 | 01APR21 | 01SEP20 | 01MAR22 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 01MAR22 | 01MAR22 | 15APR18 | 01APR21 | 01SEP20 | 01MAR22 |
| 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5) |
C | 01JAN16 | C | 08DEC19 | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: (Rural – 20%) |
C | C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: (High Unemployment – 10%) |
C | C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: (Infrastructure – 2%) |
C | C | C | C | C | C |
Dates for Filing for March 2023
EB-1
China: June 1, 2022
India: June 1, 2022
All other countries: Current
EB-2
China: July 8, 2019
India: May 1, 2012
All other countries: December 1, 2022
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
China: September 1, 2018
India: August 1, 2012
All other countries: Current
EB-3 Other Workers
China: November 1, 2015
India: August 1, 2012
All other countries: February 1, 2020
EB-4*
El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras: April 15, 2018
Mexico: September 1, 2020
India: April 1, 2021
Philippines: March 1, 2022
All other countries: March 1, 2022
EB-5 Unreserved (Regional Center and Non-Regional Center)
China: January 1, 2016
India: December 8, 2019
All other countries: Current
EB-5 Set-Asides
Rural: Current for all countries
High Unemployment: Current for all countries
Infrastructure: Current for all countries
FINAL ACTION DATES FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES
According to the Department of State’s March 2023 Visa Bulletin, the following Final Action cutoff dates will apply for employment-based categories, which will determine whether an adjustment of status or immigrant visa application can be approved in March:
- EB-1: All countries will remain current, except for India and China, which will have a cutoff date of February 1, 2022.
- EB-2: India will remain at October 8, 2011. China will remain at June 8, 2019. All other countries will remain at November 1, 2022.
- EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers: India will remain at June 15, 2012, and China will remain at August 1, 2018. All other countries will remain current.
- EB-3 Other Workers: China will advance by over six months, to July 1, 2014. India will remain at June 15, 2012, and all other countries will remain at January 1, 2020.
- EB-4: El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras will remain at March 15, 2018. India will retrogress over one year, to March 1, 2021, Mexico will retrogress six weeks, to August 1, 2020, and all other countries will retrogress over four months, to February 1, 2022.
- EB-5: For the EB-5 Unreserved categories (C5, T5, I5, and R5), China will advance over three months, to July 8, 2015, India will retrogress by over 17 months, to June 1, 2018, and all other countries will remain current. The EB-5 “Set-Aside” categories (Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure) will also remain current.
| Employment- based |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
EL SALVADOR GUATEMALA HONDURAS |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| 1st | C | 01FEB22 | C | 01FEB22 | C | C |
| 2nd | 01NOV22 | 08JUN19 | 01NOV22 | 08OCT11 | 01NOV22 | 01NOV22 |
| 3rd | C | 01AUG18 | C | 15JUN12 | C | C |
| Other Workers | 01JAN20 | 01JUL14 | 01JAN20 | 15JUN12 | 01JAN20 | 01JAN20 |
| 4th | 01FEB22 | 01FEB22 | 15MAR18 | 01MAR21 | 01AUG20 | 01FEB22 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 01FEB22 | 01FEB22 | 15MAR18 | 01MAR21 | 01AUG20 | 01FEB22 |
| 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5) |
C | 08JUL15 | C | 01JUN18 | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: Rural (20%) |
C | C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: High Unemployment (10%) |
C | C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: Infrastructure (2%) |
C | C | C | C | C | C |
Final Action Dates for March 2023
EB-1
- China: February 1, 2022
- India: February 1, 2022
- All other countries: Current
EB-2
- China: June 8, 2019
- India: October 8, 2011
- All other countries: November 1, 2022
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
- China: August 1, 2018
- India: June 15, 2012
- All other countries: Current
EB-4
- El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras: March 15, 2018
- Mexico: August 1, 2020
- India: March 1, 2021
- Philippines: February 1, 2022
- All other countries: February 1, 2022
EB-5 Unreserved (Regional Center and Non-Regional Center)
- China: July 8, 2015
- India: June 1, 2018
- All other countries; Current
EB-5 Set-Asides
- Rural: Current for all countries
- High Unemployment: Current for all countries
- Infrastructure: Current for all countries
Employment-Based Summary
In summary, for the employment-based categories in March 2023 there is an increase in demand in the EB-2 and EB-3 categories, which may require corrective action in the EB-2 category and a worldwide Final Action date cutoff in the EB-3 Professional/Skilled Worker category in the next few months.
Family-Sponsored Categories
DATES FOR FILING FOR FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASES
According to the Department of State’s March 2023 Visa Bulletin, the following Dates for Filing cutoff dates will apply for family-sponsored categories, which will determine whether an adjustment of status application can be filed with USCIS in March:
*No change from February 2023 Visa Bulletin
| Family- Sponsored |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 08AUG16 | 08AUG16 | 08AUG16 | 01DEC02 | 22APR15 |
| F2A | C | C | C | C | C |
| F2B | 01JAN17 | 01JAN17 | 01JAN17 | 01JAN02 | 01OCT13 |
| F3 | 08NOV09 | 08NOV09 | 08NOV09 | 15JUN01 | 08NOV03 |
| F4 | 15DEC07 | 15DEC07 | 22FEB06 | 01APR01 | 22APR04 |
Dates for Filing March 2023
F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- China, India, World: August 8, 2016
- Mexico: December 1, 2002
- Philippines: April 22, 2015
F-2A Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
- Current for all countries
F-2B Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents
- China, India, World: January 1, 2017
- Mexico: January 1, 2002
- Philippines: October 1, 2013
F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- China, India, World: November 8, 2009
- Mexico: June 15, 2001
- Philippines: November 8, 2003
F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- China, World: December 15, 2007
- India: February 22, 2006
- Mexico: April 1, 2001
- Philippines: April 22, 2004
FINAL ACTION DATES FOR FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASES
According to the Department of State’s March 2023 Visa Bulletin, the following Final Action cutoff dates will apply for family-sponsored categories which will determine whether an adjustment of status or immigrant visa application can be approved in March:
*No change from February 2023 Visa Bulletin
| Family- Sponsored |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA-mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 01DEC14 | 01DEC14 | 01DEC14 | 01APR01 | 01MAR12 |
| F2A | C | C | C | C | C |
| F2B | 22SEP15 | 22SEP15 | 22SEP15 | 01JUN01 | 22OCT11 |
| F3 | 22NOV08 | 22NOV08 | 22NOV08 | 01NOV97 | 08JUN02 |
| F4 | 22MAR07 | 22MAR07 | 15SEP05 | 01AUG00 | 22AUG02 |
Final Action Dates for March 2023
F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- China, India, World: December 1, 2014
- Mexico: April 1, 2001
- Philippines: March 1, 2012
F-2A Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
- Current for all countries
F-2B Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents
- China, India, World: September 22, 2015
- Mexico: June 1, 2001
- Philippines: October 22, 2011
F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- China, India, World: November 22, 2008
- Mexico: November 1, 1997
- Philippines: June 8, 2002
F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- China: March 22, 2007
- India: September 15, 2005
- Mexico: August 1, 2000
- Philippines: August 22, 2002
- World: March 22, 2007
The Takeaway
With the exception of an increase in demand in the EB-2 and EB-3 categories, not much movement can be seen in the employment-based categories. Additionally, no change is reported in the family-based preference categories from the February 2023 Visa Bulletin.
We will continue to monitor the trends and progressions of the Visa Bulletin and report them here.
Questions? If you would like to schedule a consultation, please text 619-483-4549 or call 619-819-9204.
Helpful Links
- March Visa Bulletin
- Adjustment of Status Filing Dates from Visa Bulletin
- USCIS Processing Times
- Chats with Charlie YouTube Channel
- Immigrant Visa Backlog Report
- DOS Visa Services Operating Status Update
- ImmigrationLawyerBlog
- ImmigrationU Membership
- Success stories
- Youtube channel
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