Policy Updates

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-1 India (2026-03)

The Department of State advanced the EB-1 Final Action Date for India chargeability from 2023-02-01 to 2023-03-01 in the 2026-03 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

While India is not a Visa Waiver Program member, the mandate for DHS to access all available criminal history record information (CHRI) will likely increase the frequency of administrative processing (221g) for Indian executives. This adds a layer of delay to a population already navigating multi-year wait times for EB-1C priority dates.

With India often experiencing backlogs in the EB-1 category, premium processing is a critical tool for multinational managers to secure priority dates. The fee increase adds a financial burden to applicants who are already navigating complex, long-term immigration pathways.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-1 India (2026-01)

The Department of State advanced the EB-1 Final Action Date for India chargeability from 2022-03-15 to 2023-02-01 in the 2026-01 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

With EB-1C being a primary route for Indian multinational transfers, increased vetting will likely result in a surge of RFEs regarding the relationship between parent and subsidiary companies. This adds significant administrative delay to a category already burdened by severe per-country cap backlogs.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-1 India (2025-12)

The Department of State advanced the EB-1 Final Action Date for India chargeability from 2022-02-15 to 2022-03-15 in the 2025-12 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

As India continues to face substantial retrogression in the EB-1 category, the fee increase adds a financial burden to a process that often requires multiple filings and long-term visa maintenance. Employers sponsoring Indian multinational managers must account for these higher costs within a multi-year immigration strategy.

The partial stay on the 2024 fee rule, particularly the $600 Asylum Program Fee, provides substantial cost savings for multinational corporations sponsoring Indian managers. Given the extreme backlogs in EB-2 and EB-3, EB-1C is a high-demand pathway for Indian applicants, making any change to I-140 filing costs highly impactful.

Given the EB-1 backlog for India, any delay in filing due to payment errors or system downtime could result in a later priority date. Multinational corporations must synchronize their US-based electronic payment systems with USCIS requirements to maintain filing efficiency in a competitive category.

Given the high volume of EB-1C petitions from Indian technology and consulting firms, Operation Twin Shield will likely result in more frequent site visits and rigorous audits of managerial roles. This is particularly impactful due to the existing backlog, where any delay in I-140 approval further postpones the ability to file for adjustment of status.

Indian applicants often utilize EB-1C to bypass severe EB-2 and EB-3 backlogs. The introduction of law enforcement agents will likely lead to more site visits and detailed audits of multinational corporate structures common in the IT services sector, leading to increased RFE rates and processing delays.

As a high-volume country for EB-1C petitions, Indian applicants will benefit from reduced administrative friction during the I-140 receipting phase. While this does not alleviate the underlying visa backlogs, it ensures faster processing of the initial payment and petition intake.

Indian nationals frequently utilize the EB-1C category via L-1A transfers. Increased scrutiny on corporate structures will likely lead to more Requests for Evidence (RFEs) regarding the relationship between Indian parent companies and US subsidiaries to prevent 'shell company' fraud.

While not a primary geopolitical target, the sheer volume of Indian EB-1C applicants means that expanded ideological screening will exacerbate existing backlogs. Managers may be scrutinized for past political activism or public statements made in India.

India faces substantial retrogression in the EB-1 category. By allowing the CSPA age to freeze based on the 'Dates for Filing' chart, which is often years ahead of the 'Final Action Date', many children of multinational managers who would have otherwise aged out can now remain eligible for green cards.

As one of the primary users of the EB-1C category, Indian multinational managers are disproportionately affected by any increase in I-140 fees. Because India faces severe backlogs and retrogression, these applicants must pay higher upfront costs for a benefit that may not be realized for several years due to per-country caps.

With high volumes of multinational manager petitions, Indian applicants benefit from standardized disclosure, ensuring they can respond to adverse findings before a final decision. This prevents unnecessary denials in a category where priority dates are precious and backlogs are substantial.

Due to the per-country cap and high demand, Indian applicants often wait years for a green card even in the EB-1 category. Indefinite I-693 validity eliminates the need for costly and time-consuming medical exam renewals during the long wait for a priority date to become current.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-1 India (2025-04)

The Department of State advanced the EB-1 Final Action Date for India chargeability from 2022-02-01 to 2022-02-15 in the 2025-04 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

For Indian nationals, who face significant backlogs in the EB-1 category, this policy removes a potential administrative hurdle during the Adjustment of Status (I-485) phase. It reduces the likelihood of receiving a Request for Evidence (RFE) related to medical records once their priority date finally becomes current.

Indian nationals in the EB-1C category face substantial wait times and retrogression. Any failure to adhere to the new filing protocols could result in the rejection of the I-140 petition, potentially causing a loss of priority date and further delaying an already lengthy path to permanent residency.

Given the high volume of Indian applicants in the EB-1 category, a one-day closure will result in a significant number of rescheduled appointments. While India faces long-term backlogs, this specific event causes a minor administrative ripple in the final processing stages.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-1 India (2024-07)

The Department of State advanced the EB-1 Final Action Date for India chargeability from 2021-03-01 to 2022-02-01 in the 2024-07 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-1 India (2024-04)

The Department of State advanced the EB-1 Final Action Date for India chargeability from 2020-10-01 to 2021-03-01 in the 2024-04 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-1 India (2024-03)

The Department of State advanced the EB-1 Final Action Date for India chargeability from 2020-09-01 to 2020-10-01 in the 2024-03 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-1 India (2024-01)

The Department of State advanced the EB-1 Final Action Date for India chargeability from 2017-01-01 to 2020-09-01 in the 2024-01 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-1 India (2023-10)

The Department of State advanced the EB-1 Final Action Date for India chargeability from 2012-01-01 to 2017-01-01 in the 2023-10 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Retrogression: EB-1 India (2023-08)

The Department of State retrogressed the EB-1 Final Action Date for India chargeability from 2022-02-01 to 2012-01-01 in the 2023-08 bulletin. Some applicants who were previously eligible may need to wait longer.

Visa Bulletin Retrogression: EB-1 India (2023-01)

The Department of State retrogressed the EB-1 Final Action Date for India chargeability from Current to 2022-02-01 in the 2023-01 bulletin. Applicants who previously had no priority date restriction now face a backlog.