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.

Nepalese applicants will be subject to the enhanced screening protocols. The impact is expected to be consistent with other non-VWP countries not facing specific diplomatic hurdles.

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.

The investigation in Minnesota signals a nationwide shift that affects all EB-3 chargeability areas. Nepalese applicants will likely see an increase in the time it takes for USCIS to verify the authenticity of their labor certifications.

Nepal typically has current priority dates in the EB-3 category. The fee hike is a general increase in the cost of immigration services for those choosing to expedite.

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.

While the volume of applicants is lower than other regions, the increased vetting will apply universally, resulting in longer wait times for final adjudication of green cards.

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.

The fee increase affects the I-140 and related forms for Nepalese workers. As part of the 'Rest of World' group, the impact is primarily financial rather than related to additional wait times.

Nepalese EB-3 candidates are affected by the stay on the 2024 USCIS fee rule, which impacts the filing fees and supplemental program fees required for their employer-sponsored petitions.

The mandate ensures that all fees for Nepalese EB-3 petitions are handled electronically. This procedural shift aims to modernize the filing process and ensure faster confirmation of fee receipt by USCIS.

Nepalese EB-3 applicants should expect more rigorous verification of their professional backgrounds as USCIS increases its focus on fraud detection within the skilled worker category.

The new policy's emphasis on 'high-paid' workers will likely disadvantage Nepalese applicants in the EB-3 skilled and other worker categories. Increased prevailing wage requirements will make it more difficult for smaller US employers to sponsor Nepalese nationals.

Nepalese applicants often utilize the EB-3 category for service-sector roles. Special agents will likely focus on whether these positions are truly permanent and if the employer has the actual intent to employ the foreign national.

Nepalese applicants benefit from the increased reliability of electronic fund transfers compared to traditional checks. This change helps prevent unnecessary delays in the initial stages of the EB-3 green card process.

Nepalese applicants in the EB-3 'Other Workers' category will face stricter verification of their prior work history. USCIS is looking to eliminate the use of 'purchased' experience letters common in some labor-export markets.

Nepalese applicants will face the standard increase in processing times associated with the new USCIS requirement to vet for ideological alignment.

This policy update provides Nepali families with greater peace of mind, as the 'Dates for Filing' chart typically allows for an earlier freezing of a child's age than the 'Final Action' chart.

The cost of filing an I-140 petition for Nepalese workers has increased under the new schedule. This affects the total cost of the green card process for Nepalese skilled workers and their U.S. employers.

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.

The guidance clarifies the steps USCIS must take before denying a petition based on derogatory information, providing Nepalese skilled workers and their employers with a fairer opportunity to sustain their cases.

Nepalese applicants will see a reduction in the total cost of immigration by avoiding the need for multiple medical exams during the pendency of their I-485 applications.

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.

Nepalese nationals adjusting status in the EB-3 category will no longer be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination. This streamlines the medical clearance process and reduces the overall administrative burden for the applicant.

The update requires Nepalese nationals to adhere to new USCIS filing standards. As they fall under the 'Rest of World' category, the primary concern is administrative accuracy rather than visa availability.

Nepalese applicants with appointments on Jan. 9, 2025, will face rescheduling. This administrative event impacts the domestic portion of the EB-3 application process.

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.