Policy Updates

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-2 Rest of World (2026-03)

The Department of State advanced the EB-2 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2024-04-01 to 2024-10-15 in the 2026-03 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

EB-2 applicants from Bangladesh will be subject to the new requirement for DHS to access CHRI to the maximum extent permitted by law. This ensures a more comprehensive review of an applicant's background within the United States.

Applicants from Bangladesh in the EB-2 category will now face higher fees for expedited adjudication. This is particularly impactful for those in academia where grant-funded positions have strict start dates.

The fraud investigation in Minnesota will lead to a more cautious approach by USCIS officers when adjudicating EB-2 petitions from Bangladesh. This will likely result in more frequent RFEs and a general slowdown in the processing of these cases.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-2 Rest of World (2026-01)

The Department of State advanced the EB-2 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2024-02-01 to 2024-04-01 in the 2026-01 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

EB-2 applicants from Bangladesh will face more detailed screening of their petitions, contributing to a general slowdown in the adjudication of employment-based green cards.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-2 Rest of World (2025-12)

The Department of State advanced the EB-2 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2023-12-01 to 2024-02-01 in the 2025-12 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

The cost of filing I-140 petitions will increase for Bangladeshi nationals. This affects the growing number of researchers and professionals from Bangladesh applying for US permanent residency.

The stay on the DHS fee rule impacts the filing strategy for Bangladeshi applicants. Employers must verify the applicable Asylum Program Fee to ensure that I-140 petitions for Bangladeshi talent are not returned for insufficient funds.

Applicants from Bangladesh must now use electronic means for fee payment. This is a standard procedural update aimed at modernizing the USCIS fee collection system for all employment-based categories.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-2 Rest of World (2025-10)

The Department of State advanced the EB-2 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2023-09-01 to 2023-12-01 in the 2025-10 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

The enhanced verification measures will require Bangladeshi applicants to provide more comprehensive documentation of their job offers. This is part of a USCIS effort to crack down on immigration fraud in the employment-based categories.

Bangladesh provides a steady stream of STEM talent to the U.S. The new policy's focus on high-wage earners will likely exclude many Bangladeshi early-career professionals from the EB-2 PERM process due to the increased salary floors.

Bangladeshi applicants in STEM fields often use the NIW subcategory. The new law enforcement authorities will likely lead to more detailed audits of research publications and citations to ensure they meet the 'substantial merit' threshold.

Bangladeshi applicants will benefit from the reduced risk of payment-related petition rejections. Electronic funds transfer provides a more efficient alternative to traditional money orders, which can be difficult to manage from abroad.

Bangladeshi researchers and professionals will face rigorous checks on their publication records and professional standing. The policy aims to eliminate fraudulent claims of exceptional ability within the academic community.

While Bangladesh is subject to standard security screenings, the 'Anti-Americanism' memo adds a specific ideological component that officers must now consider. This may lead to minor delays in interview scheduling or final adjudication.

Bangladeshi families are subject to the worldwide EB-2 retrogression. The use of the 'Dates for Filing' chart for CSPA age calculation provides a necessary buffer against the current multi-month or multi-year wait times.

Visa Bulletin Retrogression: EB-2 Rest of World (2025-08)

The Department of State retrogressed the EB-2 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2023-10-15 to 2023-09-01 in the 2025-08 bulletin. Some applicants who were previously eligible may need to wait longer.

The fee hike impacts all EB-2 filings for Bangladeshi nationals. As the worldwide EB-2 category is currently retrogressed, these applicants are paying more for a process that currently involves a waiting period for visa availability.

This policy update ensures that Bangladeshi applicants are given a fair chance to respond to any negative information USCIS uncovers during the background or adjudication phases.

By making the medical exam valid indefinitely, USCIS reduces the likelihood of issuing an RFE for a new medical exam, which was a common cause of delay for Bangladeshi applicants.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-2 Rest of World (2025-06)

The Department of State advanced the EB-2 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2023-06-22 to 2023-10-15 in the 2025-06 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-2 Rest of World (2025-04)

The Department of State advanced the EB-2 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2023-05-15 to 2023-06-22 in the 2025-04 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-2 Rest of World (2025-03)

The Department of State advanced the EB-2 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2023-04-01 to 2023-05-15 in the 2025-03 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Bangladeshi nationals will see a reduction in the complexity of their adjustment of status medical exams. The removal of the COVID-19 mandate ensures that the civil surgeon's focus remains on standard health screenings, speeding up the overall process.

Bangladeshi applicants in technical and scientific fields will find the updated manual helpful for structuring their petitions. The lack of a country-specific backlog means that an approved NIW leads quickly to a green card.

Bangladeshi applicants must ensure their I-140 petitions are filed according to the new USCIS guidelines. With the EB-2 category currently backlogged, avoiding filing rejections is key to maintaining a place in the visa queue.

The one-day closure of USCIS offices will result in the rescheduling of appointments for Bangladeshi applicants. This is an administrative delay that affects the speed of final case adjudication for those with appointments on that date.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-2 Rest of World (2025-01)

The Department of State advanced the EB-2 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2023-03-15 to 2023-04-01 in the 2025-01 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-2 Rest of World (2024-07)

The Department of State advanced the EB-2 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2023-01-15 to 2023-03-15 in the 2024-07 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-2 Rest of World (2024-04)

The Department of State advanced the EB-2 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2022-11-22 to 2023-01-15 in the 2024-04 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-2 Rest of World (2024-03)

The Department of State advanced the EB-2 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2022-11-15 to 2022-11-22 in the 2024-03 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-2 Rest of World (2024-02)

The Department of State advanced the EB-2 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2022-11-01 to 2022-11-15 in the 2024-02 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-2 Rest of World (2024-01)

The Department of State advanced the EB-2 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2022-07-15 to 2022-11-01 in the 2024-01 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-2 Rest of World (2023-11)

The Department of State advanced the EB-2 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2022-07-08 to 2022-07-15 in the 2023-11 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-2 Rest of World (2023-10)

The Department of State advanced the EB-2 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2022-07-01 to 2022-07-08 in the 2023-10 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-2 Rest of World (2023-09)

The Department of State advanced the EB-2 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2022-04-01 to 2022-07-01 in the 2023-09 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-2 Rest of World (2023-08)

The Department of State advanced the EB-2 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2022-02-15 to 2022-04-01 in the 2023-08 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Retrogression: EB-2 Rest of World (2023-05)

The Department of State retrogressed the EB-2 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2022-07-01 to 2022-02-15 in the 2023-05 bulletin. Some applicants who were previously eligible may need to wait longer.

Visa Bulletin Retrogression: EB-2 Rest of World (2023-04)

The Department of State retrogressed the EB-2 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2022-11-01 to 2022-07-01 in the 2023-04 bulletin. Some applicants who were previously eligible may need to wait longer.