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.

The order's focus on 'criminal actors' will lead to more rigorous checks of Venezuelan EB-2 applicants against US-held records. The absence of a reciprocal sharing agreement means DHS will rely heavily on internal DOJ data, potentially leading to delays for applicants with common names or unresolved records.

The DHS investigation will likely result in more stringent verification of employer credentials for Venezuelan applicants. This increased oversight will contribute to slower processing times and a more challenging path to obtaining an EB-2 visa.

Venezuelan applicants often seek EB-2 visas to secure long-term stability. The fee increase represents a higher financial hurdle for those attempting to move from temporary protected status or other non-immigrant visas to an EB-2 green card.

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.

As per Section 3(d), Venezuela is subject to a continued partial suspension that specifically targets immigrant entry. This prevents Venezuelan professionals from obtaining EB-2 status and entering the U.S., regardless of their professional qualifications or labor certification status.

Venezuelan professionals applying for EB-2 visas will face more thorough background checks, which may be complicated by the difficulty of verifying certain foreign documents under current conditions.

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 fee hike impacts Venezuelan nationals seeking to transition from temporary statuses to permanent residency via the EB-2 category. This increase adds to the financial challenges faced by those fleeing economic instability.

For Venezuelan professionals, the financial burden of immigration is a significant factor. The partial stay on the 2024 Fee Rule means that applicants must stay informed on the exact fees required to avoid the rejection of their EB-2 petitions.

Venezuelan EB-2 applicants may struggle with mandatory electronic payments due to domestic economic volatility and limited access to international credit or debit systems. Ensuring a valid payment method is now a primary hurdle in the initial filing phase.

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 policy update aims to ensure that all EB-2 job offers are legitimate, which will lead to more thorough investigations of petitions from Venezuelan nationals. This could result in delays for those seeking to transition to permanent residency.

For Venezuelan professionals in the U.S., the EB-2 category is a vital path to permanent status. The increased prevailing wage requirements may disqualify many who are currently employed in sectors where wages have not kept pace with the proposed mandates.

Due to the high volume of Venezuelan professionals seeking U.S. visas, USCIS is increasing its capacity to verify academic and professional documents. Special agents will focus on ensuring that credentials from Venezuelan institutions are legitimate and meet EB-2 requirements.

Given the complexities of international mail and financial services in Venezuela, electronic payment options offer a more stable way to ensure USCIS fees are paid correctly and on time. This helps protect the applicant's filing timeline.

Venezuelan applicants may face challenges providing verifiable documentation from their home country; this policy emphasizes that any perceived falsification, even if intended to compensate for document scarcity, will be strictly penalized.

USCIS officers may apply stricter scrutiny to Venezuelan EB-2 applicants to identify potential ties to the current regime or anti-U.S. sentiment. This adds a layer of uncertainty for professionals seeking to migrate via the employment-based second preference category.

Given the high volume of Venezuelan applicants, the current EB-2 retrogression for the 'Rest of World' makes this CSPA update a significant benefit for maintaining family eligibility during the transition to permanent residency.

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 update increases the financial burden on Venezuelan professionals seeking permanent residency through the EB-2 track. These applicants are currently grouped with the 'Rest of World' category regarding priority date availability.

Venezuelan EB-2 petitioners will benefit from the requirement that USCIS disclose derogatory information, allowing them to address issues that might arise from difficult-to-verify documentation.

Venezuelan professionals in the EB-2 track benefit from this policy, especially if their cases are delayed by documentation issues or general USCIS processing times.

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.

Venezuelan professionals will find it easier to complete their medical exams without the need for COVID-19 vaccination proof. This is particularly helpful for applicants who may have had difficulty accessing specific vaccine brands or documentation in the past.

For Venezuelans with advanced degrees, the NIW provides a permanent solution compared to temporary protections. The updated guidance makes it easier for these professionals to prove their work is in the U.S. national interest.

For Venezuelans seeking EB-2 visas, the new filing procedures represent a change in the initial step of the green card process. Accuracy is vital to secure a priority date while the category remains retrogressed for all countries.

Venezuelan nationals currently in the U.S. applying for EB-2 status will see a minor delay in their processing timeline. The closure affects all in-person services, including the collection of biometrics necessary for employment authorization.

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.