Policy Updates

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-3 Rest of World (2026-03)

The Department of State advanced the EB-3 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2023-06-01 to 2023-10-01 in the 2026-03 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Brazilian applicants will be subject to the new CHRI integration standards. While Brazil is not currently a VWP country, it may be approached for a 'Preventing and Combating Serious Crime' agreement as described in Section 3, which would formalize data sharing.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-3 Rest of World (2026-02)

The Department of State advanced the EB-3 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2023-04-22 to 2023-06-01 in the 2026-02 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

While Brazil does not face the same level of retrogression as India or China, the nationwide shift toward rigorous oversight will likely result in longer processing times for I-140 petitions. Applicants should expect more detailed inquiries into the legitimacy of the employer-employee relationship.

As part of the 'Rest of World' category, Brazilian applicants usually have current priority dates. The fee increase is a financial inconvenience but does not carry the same strategic weight as it does for backlogged countries.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-3 Rest of World (2026-01)

The Department of State advanced the EB-3 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2023-04-15 to 2023-04-22 in the 2026-01 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

The policy change means that even routine EB-3 applications from Brazil will be subject to deeper dives into financial and employment history, increasing the likelihood of RFEs.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-3 Rest of World (2025-12)

The Department of State advanced the EB-3 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2023-04-01 to 2023-04-15 in the 2025-12 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

While Brazil typically falls under the 'Rest of World' visa availability, the fee increase raises the initial barrier for U.S. employers seeking to sponsor Brazilian professionals. The inflation adjustment affects the I-140 and subsequent adjustment of status filings.

Brazil typically falls under the 'Rest of World' chargeability. The stay on the fee rule primarily affects the financial planning of the sponsoring employer regarding the I-140 filing costs rather than visa availability.

Brazilian applicants typically fall under the 'Rest of World' category with shorter wait times. The move to electronic payments is expected to reduce mail-room processing delays, though it requires petitioners to ensure US-based electronic funds are available.

While Brazil typically falls under the 'Rest of World' category with more current priority dates, the heightened audit risk will likely increase the average processing time for I-140 petitions. Applicants should prepare for more rigorous documentation requirements.

Brazilian applicants typically fall under the 'Rest of World' quota, but the new $100,000 H-1B fee and increased prevailing wage requirements create significant economic barriers. Employers may be less likely to sponsor Brazilian professionals for EB-3 if they do not meet the new 'high-paid' priority criteria.

Brazilian professionals seeking EB-3 status will face more rigorous documentation requirements. The addition of special agents suggests a shift toward criminal investigations for any perceived misrepresentations in the labor certification process.

The shift to electronic funds reduces the logistical burden on Brazilian applicants and their U.S. sponsors. This change aligns with broader efforts to digitize the immigration process and reduce manual processing delays.

With an increasing number of Brazilians seeking EB-3 visas, USCIS is intensifying its review of foreign work experience letters. Applicants must ensure that all translated documentation is perfectly aligned with original records to avoid fraud triggers.

Brazilian nationals in the EB-3 category will see a rise in processing times as USCIS implements the new vetting protocols across all service centers.

As part of the 'Rest of World' category, Brazilian applicants generally have shorter wait times, but are still vulnerable to USCIS processing backlogs. This policy provides a standardized way to protect child eligibility regardless of temporary visa unavailability.

Brazilian applicants generally fall under the 'Rest of World' visa availability. The fee increase represents a higher administrative cost for I-140 petitions but does not carry the compounded impact of severe retrogression seen in other regions.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-3 Rest of World (2025-07)

The Department of State advanced the EB-3 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2023-02-08 to 2023-04-01 in the 2025-07 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

While Brazil generally falls under the 'Rest of World' processing times, the guidance ensures a fair opportunity to rebut derogatory information. This reduces the likelihood of arbitrary denials and provides a more stable environment for Brazilian skilled workers.

While Brazilian applicants typically fall under 'Rest of World' dates, USCIS processing delays can still exceed two years. This change removes the risk of medical expiration while waiting for I-485 adjudication.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-3 Rest of World (2025-06)

The Department of State advanced the EB-3 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2023-01-01 to 2023-02-08 in the 2025-06 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-3 Rest of World (2025-04)

The Department of State advanced the EB-3 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2022-12-01 to 2023-01-01 in the 2025-04 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Brazilian applicants, who generally fall under the 'Rest of World' category for visa availability, will benefit from a faster medical exam process. This reduces the overall time from filing Form I-485 to receiving the physical green card.

Brazil currently falls under the 'Rest of World' category for EB-3, meaning applicants are primarily concerned with administrative efficiency rather than retrogression. The new filing procedures must be followed to avoid unnecessary I-140 processing delays.

Brazilian nationals undergoing the EB-3 process within the U.S. will experience a brief pause in processing. USCIS will automatically mail new appointment notices for those affected by the closure.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-3 Rest of World (2025-01)

The Department of State advanced the EB-3 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2022-11-15 to 2022-12-01 in the 2025-01 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-3 Rest of World (2024-10)

The Department of State advanced the EB-3 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2020-12-01 to 2022-11-15 in the 2024-10 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Retrogression: EB-3 Rest of World (2024-09)

The Department of State retrogressed the EB-3 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2021-12-01 to 2020-12-01 in the 2024-09 bulletin. Some applicants who were previously eligible may need to wait longer.

Visa Bulletin Retrogression: EB-3 Rest of World (2024-07)

The Department of State retrogressed the EB-3 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2022-11-22 to 2021-12-01 in the 2024-07 bulletin. Some applicants who were previously eligible may need to wait longer.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-3 Rest of World (2024-04)

The Department of State advanced the EB-3 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2022-09-08 to 2022-11-22 in the 2024-04 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-3 Rest of World (2024-03)

The Department of State advanced the EB-3 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2022-09-01 to 2022-09-08 in the 2024-03 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-3 Rest of World (2024-02)

The Department of State advanced the EB-3 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2022-08-01 to 2022-09-01 in the 2024-02 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-3 Rest of World (2024-01)

The Department of State advanced the EB-3 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2021-12-01 to 2022-08-01 in the 2024-01 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Advancement: EB-3 Rest of World (2023-10)

The Department of State advanced the EB-3 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2020-05-01 to 2021-12-01 in the 2023-10 bulletin. This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Retrogression: EB-3 Rest of World (2023-08)

The Department of State retrogressed the EB-3 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2022-02-01 to 2020-05-01 in the 2023-08 bulletin. Some applicants who were previously eligible may need to wait longer.

Visa Bulletin Retrogression: EB-3 Rest of World (2023-07)

The Department of State retrogressed the EB-3 Final Action Date for Rest of World chargeability from 2022-06-01 to 2022-02-01 in the 2023-07 bulletin. Some applicants who were previously eligible may need to wait longer.