Policy Updates

Visa Bulletin Update: EB-2 (2026-03)

The Department of State updated EB-2 Final Action Dates in the 2026-03 Visa Bulletin: - India: moved from 2013-07-15 to 2013-09-15 - Philippines: moved from 2024-04-01 to 2024-10-15 - Mexico: moved from 2024-04-01 to 2024-10-15 - Rest of World: moved from 2024-04-01 to 2024-10-15 This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

The policy directs DHS to maximize its use of criminal history record information (CHRI) for screening and vetting missions. This includes reciprocal data sharing with foreign governments, which will likely be utilized during the adjudication of EB-2 visas and National Interest Waivers.

The investigation focuses on identifying fraudulent activities within USCIS filings in the Minnesota region. EB-2 applicants may experience heightened vetting procedures, including more frequent Requests for Evidence (RFEs) and audits of employer credentials. This initiative is part of a broader DHS effort to ensure the integrity of employment-based immigration programs.

The fee for Form I-907 is being adjusted upwards, impacting EB-2 petitioners who utilize expedited processing. This change is part of a broader USCIS effort to adjust fees for inflation and maintain service levels.

Visa Bulletin Update: EB-2 (2026-01)

The Department of State updated EB-2 Final Action Dates in the 2026-01 Visa Bulletin: - India: moved from 2013-05-15 to 2013-07-15 - China: moved from 2021-06-01 to 2021-09-01 - Philippines: moved from 2024-02-01 to 2024-04-01 - Mexico: moved from 2024-02-01 to 2024-04-01 - Rest of World: moved from 2024-02-01 to 2024-04-01 This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

The entry of nationals from countries like Nigeria, Tanzania, and Syria as immigrants is suspended. This includes individuals seeking EB-2 visas, including those with National Interest Waivers (NIW), who are currently outside the United States.

Increased screening measures will apply to EB-2 filings, potentially impacting processing times. USCIS will focus on verifying qualifications and, for NIW cases, the national importance of the proposed endeavor.

Visa Bulletin Update: EB-2 (2025-12)

The Department of State updated EB-2 Final Action Dates in the 2025-12 Visa Bulletin: - India: moved from 2013-04-01 to 2013-05-15 - China: moved from 2021-04-01 to 2021-06-01 - Philippines: moved from 2023-12-01 to 2024-02-01 - Mexico: moved from 2023-12-01 to 2024-02-01 - Rest of World: moved from 2023-12-01 to 2024-02-01 This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

The inflation adjustment applies to Form I-140, the primary petition for EB-2 visas. This will increase the financial burden on both employer-sponsored applicants and self-petitioned National Interest Waiver (NIW) candidates.

A partial stay on the 2024 USCIS Fee Rule affects how filing fees are calculated for employment-based petitions. This includes potential changes to the $600 Asylum Program Fee and the base filing fee for Form I-140. Petitioners should verify the current fee schedule to avoid immediate rejection of filings due to incorrect payment.

This procedural change requires petitioners to use electronic payment methods for Form I-140 and Form I-907 filings, including National Interest Waiver (NIW) cases. Legal representatives and employers must update their internal accounting and submission workflows to comply with the new digital payment requirements to avoid filing rejections.

Visa Bulletin Update: EB-2 (2025-10)

The Department of State updated EB-2 Final Action Dates in the 2025-10 Visa Bulletin: - India: moved from 2013-01-01 to 2013-04-01 - China: moved from 2020-12-15 to 2021-04-01 - Philippines: moved from 2023-09-01 to 2023-12-01 - Mexico: moved from 2023-09-01 to 2023-12-01 - Rest of World: moved from 2023-09-01 to 2023-12-01 This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

The investigation results indicate systemic misuse of the PERM process. USCIS is expected to increase the frequency of audits and Request for Evidence (RFE) issuances to verify the legitimacy of job offers and the employer's ability to pay.

Section 4(a) of the proclamation directs the Secretary of Labor to revise prevailing wage levels to prioritize high-paid workers. This change will directly affect EB-2 petitions that require a Labor Certification (PERM), as employers will be required to meet higher salary thresholds to sponsor foreign professionals for permanent residency.

With new law enforcement authorities, USCIS can more effectively investigate falsified academic credentials or fraudulent NIW claims. Applicants may face more thorough vetting of the evidence provided to support the national importance and merit of their proposed endeavors.

The introduction of electronic funds for fee payments applies to EB-2 filings, including National Interest Waivers. This update facilitates a more secure and faster payment process during the Form I-140 filing stage.

Applicants for EB-2 visas must ensure that all educational credentials and work experience letters are legitimate. USCIS is prioritizing the detection of falsified information within the labor certification and waiver processes.

The policy update allows USCIS to consider 'Anti-Americanism' as a factor in benefit requests. This is particularly relevant for NIW applicants whose 'national interest' justification may now be weighed against perceived ideological stances.

Applicants in the EB-2 category, including those under NIW, can now use the 'Dates for Filing' chart to freeze their child's age. This is particularly beneficial for applicants from backlogged countries like India and China, providing a more stable path for family unity during the green card process.

Visa Bulletin Update: EB-2 (2025-08)

The Department of State updated EB-2 Final Action Dates in the 2025-08 Visa Bulletin: - Philippines: moved from 2023-10-15 to 2023-09-01 - Mexico: moved from 2023-10-15 to 2023-09-01 - Rest of World: moved from 2023-10-15 to 2023-09-01 Some applicants who were previously eligible may need to wait longer.

Applicants in the EB-2 category must use the new fee amounts for Form I-140. This update is part of a broader adjustment to USCIS's fee schedule based on legislative mandates.

Visa Bulletin Update: EB-2 (2025-07)

The Department of State updated EB-2 Final Action Dates in the 2025-07 Visa Bulletin: - China: moved from 2020-12-01 to 2020-12-15 This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

EB-2 petitioners, including those filing for National Interest Waivers, are affected by these procedural safeguards. The guidance mandates that USCIS provide a summary of derogatory information, allowing the petitioner to provide rebuttal evidence before a denial is issued.

EB-2 applicants, including those under the National Interest Waiver (NIW), will benefit from indefinite medical exam validity for forms signed after Nov. 1, 2023. This is significant for applicants facing visa retrogression, as it eliminates the need for repeat medical exams while waiting for a priority date to become current.

Visa Bulletin Update: EB-2 (2025-06)

The Department of State updated EB-2 Final Action Dates in the 2025-06 Visa Bulletin: - China: moved from 2020-10-01 to 2020-12-01 - Philippines: moved from 2023-06-22 to 2023-10-15 - Mexico: moved from 2023-06-22 to 2023-10-15 - Rest of World: moved from 2023-06-22 to 2023-10-15 This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Update: EB-2 (2025-04)

The Department of State updated EB-2 Final Action Dates in the 2025-04 Visa Bulletin: - India: moved from 2012-12-01 to 2013-01-01 - China: moved from 2020-05-08 to 2020-10-01 - Philippines: moved from 2023-05-15 to 2023-06-22 - Mexico: moved from 2023-05-15 to 2023-06-22 - Rest of World: moved from 2023-05-15 to 2023-06-22 This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Update: EB-2 (2025-03)

The Department of State updated EB-2 Final Action Dates in the 2025-03 Visa Bulletin: - India: moved from 2012-10-15 to 2012-12-01 - China: moved from 2020-04-22 to 2020-05-08 - Philippines: moved from 2023-04-01 to 2023-05-15 - Mexico: moved from 2023-04-01 to 2023-05-15 - Rest of World: moved from 2023-04-01 to 2023-05-15 This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Update: EB-2 (2025-02)

The Department of State updated EB-2 Final Action Dates in the 2025-02 Visa Bulletin: - India: moved from 2012-10-01 to 2012-10-15 This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Applicants in the EB-2 category, including those with National Interest Waivers, no longer need to fulfill the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for their Form I-693 medical report. This applies to all pending and future adjustment of status applications.

The updated guidance clarifies the evidentiary requirements for the three-prong framework used to evaluate NIW requests. It specifically addresses how officers should assess the national importance of a proposed endeavor and the applicant's well-positioned status to advance it.

The update covers all EB-2 filings requiring Form I-140. This includes administrative changes to where petitions are mailed and how they are processed upon receipt by USCIS.

The temporary closure of USCIS facilities on January 9, 2025, affects EB-2 applicants, including those under the National Interest Waiver (NIW), who have scheduled biometrics or interviews. Applicants should wait for a new appointment notice in the mail following this closure.

Visa Bulletin Update: EB-2 (2025-01)

The Department of State updated EB-2 Final Action Dates in the 2025-01 Visa Bulletin: - India: moved from 2012-08-01 to 2012-10-01 - China: moved from 2020-03-22 to 2020-04-22 - Philippines: moved from 2023-03-15 to 2023-04-01 - Mexico: moved from 2023-03-15 to 2023-04-01 - Rest of World: moved from 2023-03-15 to 2023-04-01 This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Update: EB-2 (2024-12)

The Department of State updated EB-2 Final Action Dates in the 2024-12 Visa Bulletin: - India: moved from 2012-07-15 to 2012-08-01 This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Update: EB-2 (2024-10)

The Department of State updated EB-2 Final Action Dates in the 2024-10 Visa Bulletin: - China: moved from 2020-03-01 to 2020-03-22 This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Update: EB-2 (2024-08)

The Department of State updated EB-2 Final Action Dates in the 2024-08 Visa Bulletin: - India: moved from 2012-06-15 to 2012-07-15 This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Update: EB-2 (2024-07)

The Department of State updated EB-2 Final Action Dates in the 2024-07 Visa Bulletin: - India: moved from 2012-04-15 to 2012-06-15 - China: moved from 2020-02-01 to 2020-03-01 - Philippines: moved from 2023-01-15 to 2023-03-15 - Mexico: moved from 2023-01-15 to 2023-03-15 - Rest of World: moved from 2023-01-15 to 2023-03-15 This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Update: EB-2 (2024-04)

The Department of State updated EB-2 Final Action Dates in the 2024-04 Visa Bulletin: - India: moved from 2012-03-01 to 2012-04-15 - China: moved from 2020-01-01 to 2020-02-01 - Philippines: moved from 2022-11-22 to 2023-01-15 - Mexico: moved from 2022-11-22 to 2023-01-15 - Rest of World: moved from 2022-11-22 to 2023-01-15 This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Update: EB-2 (2024-03)

The Department of State updated EB-2 Final Action Dates in the 2024-03 Visa Bulletin: - Philippines: moved from 2022-11-15 to 2022-11-22 - Mexico: moved from 2022-11-15 to 2022-11-22 - Rest of World: moved from 2022-11-15 to 2022-11-22 This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Update: EB-2 (2024-02)

The Department of State updated EB-2 Final Action Dates in the 2024-02 Visa Bulletin: - Philippines: moved from 2022-11-01 to 2022-11-15 - Mexico: moved from 2022-11-01 to 2022-11-15 - Rest of World: moved from 2022-11-01 to 2022-11-15 This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Update: EB-2 (2024-01)

The Department of State updated EB-2 Final Action Dates in the 2024-01 Visa Bulletin: - India: moved from 2012-01-01 to 2012-03-01 - China: moved from 2019-10-22 to 2020-01-01 - Philippines: moved from 2022-07-15 to 2022-11-01 - Mexico: moved from 2022-07-15 to 2022-11-01 - Rest of World: moved from 2022-07-15 to 2022-11-01 This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Update: EB-2 (2023-12)

The Department of State updated EB-2 Final Action Dates in the 2023-12 Visa Bulletin: - China: moved from 2019-10-01 to 2019-10-22 This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Update: EB-2 (2023-11)

The Department of State updated EB-2 Final Action Dates in the 2023-11 Visa Bulletin: - Philippines: moved from 2022-07-08 to 2022-07-15 - Mexico: moved from 2022-07-08 to 2022-07-15 - Rest of World: moved from 2022-07-08 to 2022-07-15 This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Update: EB-2 (2023-10)

The Department of State updated EB-2 Final Action Dates in the 2023-10 Visa Bulletin: - India: moved from 2011-01-01 to 2012-01-01 - China: moved from 2019-07-08 to 2019-10-01 - Philippines: moved from 2022-07-01 to 2022-07-08 - Mexico: moved from 2022-07-01 to 2022-07-08 - Rest of World: moved from 2022-07-01 to 2022-07-08 This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Update: EB-2 (2023-09)

The Department of State updated EB-2 Final Action Dates in the 2023-09 Visa Bulletin: - Philippines: moved from 2022-04-01 to 2022-07-01 - Mexico: moved from 2022-04-01 to 2022-07-01 - Rest of World: moved from 2022-04-01 to 2022-07-01 This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Update: EB-2 (2023-08)

The Department of State updated EB-2 Final Action Dates in the 2023-08 Visa Bulletin: - China: moved from 2019-06-08 to 2019-07-08 - Philippines: moved from 2022-02-15 to 2022-04-01 - Mexico: moved from 2022-02-15 to 2022-04-01 - Rest of World: moved from 2022-02-15 to 2022-04-01 This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Update: EB-2 (2023-05)

The Department of State updated EB-2 Final Action Dates in the 2023-05 Visa Bulletin: - Philippines: moved from 2022-07-01 to 2022-02-15 - Mexico: moved from 2022-07-01 to 2022-02-15 - Rest of World: moved from 2022-07-01 to 2022-02-15 Some applicants who were previously eligible may need to wait longer.

Visa Bulletin Update: EB-2 (2023-04)

The Department of State updated EB-2 Final Action Dates in the 2023-04 Visa Bulletin: - India: moved from 2011-10-08 to 2011-01-01 - Philippines: moved from 2022-11-01 to 2022-07-01 - Mexico: moved from 2022-11-01 to 2022-07-01 - Rest of World: moved from 2022-11-01 to 2022-07-01 Some applicants who were previously eligible may need to wait longer.

Visa Bulletin Update: EB-2 (2022-12)

The Department of State updated EB-2 Final Action Dates in the 2022-12 Visa Bulletin: - India: moved from 2012-04-01 to 2011-10-08 - Philippines: retrogressed from Current to 2022-11-01 - Mexico: retrogressed from Current to 2022-11-01 - Rest of World: retrogressed from Current to 2022-11-01 Some applicants who were previously eligible may need to wait longer.