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.

The order emphasizes cooperation with 'trusted foreign governments.' Given the current diplomatic climate, Venezuela is unlikely to participate in reciprocal CHRI exchange, which may lead to increased scrutiny and potential denials for EB-3 applicants if their records cannot be verified.

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.

Given the political and economic climate, Venezuelan applicants often face higher scrutiny regarding their documentation. The new fraud oversight will likely result in even more stringent requirements for proving the legitimacy of their U.S. job offers.

Given the political situation, many Venezuelans seek rapid processing to secure status. The fee increase makes this expedited path more expensive for those in the 'Rest of World' category.

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.

Section 3(d) maintains the suspension of immigrant entry for nationals of Venezuela. This prevents Venezuelan EB-3 applicants from completing consular processing or entering the U.S. to activate their permanent residency, regardless of labor certification status.

Given the difficulty in obtaining official documents from Venezuela, increased scrutiny on the 'vetting' of these documents could lead to significant delays or denials if standards are not met.

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.

For Venezuelan professionals seeking permanent residency through employment, the FY 2026 fee increase represents a higher financial hurdle. This affects both the petitioning employer and the applicant's adjustment costs.

Venezuelan nationals seeking EB-3 status are impacted by the fee rule stay, which affects the total cost of the I-140 petition filed by their U.S. employers.

The shift to electronic payments affects the administrative handling of EB-3 cases for Venezuelan nationals. This change is part of a broader effort to modernize USCIS intake and reduce delays caused by physical payment processing.

With many Venezuelans seeking professional pathways, the increased audit risk will require more detailed evidence of specialized skills and valid employer sponsorship to navigate the heightened USCIS scrutiny.

The $100,000 fee for H-1B entry and the subsequent increase in prevailing wage levels for EB-3 will make it significantly harder for Venezuelan nationals to secure permanent employment in the US. The prioritization of high-salary earners may also disadvantage those in non-STEM professional fields.

Given the political and economic climate in Venezuela, USCIS agents may more aggressively verify the prior work experience claims of EB-3 applicants to ensure they meet the specific requirements of the labor certification.

For Venezuelans, who may face complex financial logistics, the ability to use electronic funds for USCIS fees provides a more accessible and reliable payment route. This helps ensure that their EB-3 petitions are not delayed by payment processing issues.

Due to the difficulty of verifying documents from Venezuela, USCIS will apply heightened scrutiny to work experience claims. Applicants must ensure that any secondary evidence provided is robust and verifiable to avoid fraud allegations.

USCIS officers may apply more rigorous vetting to Venezuelan nationals to ensure no alignment with anti-U.S. political movements, potentially leading to higher RFE (Request for Evidence) rates for EB-3 petitions.

The policy provides a consistent mechanism for Venezuelan dependents to maintain eligibility, which is crucial given the complexities and potential delays in international document procurement.

For Venezuelan professionals applying for EB-3 visas, the new fee schedule adds to the financial complexity of the immigration process, though they remain under the 'Rest of World' quota for visa availability.

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 provides a mechanism for Venezuelan petitioners to address derogatory information that may arise from documentation challenges or background checks, ensuring a more predictable adjudication process.

Venezuelan nationals applying for EB-3 status will benefit from the indefinite validity of their medicals, ensuring that their path to residency is not delayed by the need for updated health documentation.

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.

Venezuelan nationals adjusting status will find the medical exam process less burdensome. This is a positive change for those navigating the transition from temporary protected status or other work visas to EB-3 permanent residency.

The update streamlines or modifies the filing process for I-140s. Venezuelan nationals, often applying under skilled worker categories, must ensure their legal counsel uses the correct filing addresses to avoid delays.

Venezuelan nationals with pending EB-3 adjustment applications will have their Jan. 9 appointments moved. This is a routine administrative delay due to the temporary office 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.