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.

Vietnamese professionals applying for EB-2 visas will face standardized screening against US criminal justice databases. This policy ensures that any US-based criminal history is identified early in the screening and vetting mission.

With EB-2 dates for Vietnam subject to the 'Rest of World' cutoff, applicants must now pay more to expedite their petitions. This is particularly relevant for those attempting to transition from F-1 OPT status to permanent residency.

USCIS is expected to reallocate resources toward fraud detection following the Minnesota investigation, which will slow down standard processing for Vietnamese applicants. This increased oversight may lead to higher rates of petition denials for cases with minor documentation inconsistencies.

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.

Vietnamese applicants will face more detailed inquiries into their employment history and educational credentials as part of the enhanced screening process for employment-based visas.

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 inflation-adjusted fees will apply to all Vietnamese nationals seeking EB-2 status. This adds to the overall cost of the green card process during a period where the EB-2 category for the rest of the world remains retrogressed.

The stay on the DHS fee rule means that Vietnamese applicants and their employers must verify the current fee schedule for I-140 petitions. Incorrect fee payments under the contested rule could lead to administrative setbacks for Vietnamese professionals.

Vietnamese applicants will need to utilize electronic payment methods for all EB-2 related fees. This change is part of a global USCIS initiative to improve efficiency and reduce the handling of physical checks.

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.

Operation Twin Shield's focus on labor certification fraud means Vietnamese applicants will need to provide more robust evidence of their employment terms. This change is expected to increase the overall processing time for employment-based petitions from the region.

As Vietnam becomes a larger source of STEM graduates, the $100,000 H-1B fee and higher EB-2 wage floors will likely prevent U.S. companies from recruiting entry-level Vietnamese professionals who rely on the EB-2 path for long-term residency.

Vietnamese professionals seeking EB-2 status will experience more rigorous checks on their educational history. USCIS agents will focus on ensuring that the credentials provided match the high standards required for the advanced degree category.

Vietnamese applicants will find the electronic payment system more accessible than traditional U.S. bank-based payment methods. This administrative update ensures that the filing process is more aligned with global digital banking standards.

Vietnamese applicants will see increased verification of their educational and professional backgrounds. This ensures that the NIW and PERM processes remain integrity-focused as demand from Vietnam continues to grow.

The policy introduces a new discretionary factor for USCIS officers, but Vietnamese EB-2 applicants are not expected to face disproportionate scrutiny compared to other Rest of World (ROW) countries. Applicants should focus on maintaining a clean record of public statements.

Vietnamese applicants in the EB-2 category are subject to the worldwide backlog. The ability to use the 'Dates for Filing' chart provides a buffer against the fluctuating final action dates that previously caused children to lose eligibility.

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 applies to all Vietnamese nationals filing for EB-2 status. While Vietnam does not have a country-specific backlog like China, applicants are still impacted by the general retrogression affecting the global EB-2 pool.

This procedural update guarantees that Vietnamese EB-2 petitioners can review and contest derogatory information that USCIS might otherwise have used to deny a case without full disclosure.

Vietnam has seen specific retrogression in other categories, and this policy provides a safety net for EB-2 applicants if similar backlogs occur. It removes the expiration pressure from the adjustment of status phase.

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.

Vietnamese nationals adjusting status under the EB-2 category will no longer need to demonstrate COVID-19 vaccination compliance. This change simplifies the medical screening process and reduces the likelihood of delays caused by vaccine availability or documentation discrepancies.

Vietnamese applicants in the EB-2 category generally see current or near-current priority dates. The updated guidance reduces the risk of Request for Evidence (RFE) notices, making the NIW a more reliable path for high-skilled Vietnamese nationals.

Vietnamese applicants in the EB-2 category are currently subject to 'Rest of World' retrogression. The updated I-140 filing procedures require precise execution to ensure that petitions are not returned, which would delay the applicant's ability to eventually file for adjustment of status.

Vietnamese applicants with biometrics or interview appointments on Jan. 9 will have their cases pushed back. This delay is purely operational and does not reflect a change in visa availability for Vietnam.

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.