Department of State Releases December 2022 Visa Bulletin
November 17, 2022
On November 17, 2022, the Department of State released the December 2022 Visa Bulletin. Of particular note is the retrogression of India Employment Second Preference Final Action and Application filing dates. Please see the “Final Action Dates for Employment-Based Preference Cases” chart below.
| Employment- based |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
EL SALVADOR GUATEMALA HONDURAS |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| 1st | C | C | C | C | C | C |
| 2nd | 01NOV22 | 08JUN19 | 01NOV22 | 08OCT11 | 01NOV22 | 01NOV22 |
| 3rd | C | 01AUG18 | C | 15JUN12 | C | C |
| Other Workers | 01JUN20 | 22JUN13 | 01JUN20 | 15JUN12 | 01JUN20 | 01JUN20 |
| 4th | 22JUN22 | 22JUN22 | 15MAR18 | 22JUN22 | 15SEP20 | 22JUN22 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 22JUN22 | 22JUN22 | 15MAR18 | 22JUN22 | 15SEP20 | 22JUN22 |
| 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5) |
C | 22MAR15 | C | 08NOV19 | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: Rural (20%) |
C | C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: High Unemployment (10%) |
C | C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: Infrastructure (2%) |
C | C | C | C | C | C |
Following the DOS’ release of the December 2022 Visa Bulletin, USCIS advised which chart prospective green card applicants should refer to when determining if they are eligible to file an application in December 2022.
Note: Where “C” is listed, the category is current and applications may be filed regardless of the applicant’s priority date. Where a date is listed for a category, applications may be filed if the applicant’s priority date is earlier than the listed date.
Family-Sponsored Applicants: Dates for Filing Chart
In December 2022, all family-sponsored applicants should refer to the “Dates for Filing” chart below.
| Family- Sponsored |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 08AUG16 | 08AUG16 | 08AUG16 | 01DEC02 | 22APR15 |
| F2A | C | C | C | C | C |
| F2B | 01JAN17 | 01JAN17 | 01JAN17 | 01JAN02 | 01OCT13 |
| F3 | 08NOV09 | 08NOV09 | 08NOV09 | 15JUN01 | 08NOV03 |
| F4 | 15DEC07 | 15DEC07 | 22FEB06 | 01APR01 | 22APR04 |
Employment-Based Applicants: Dates for Filing Chart
In December 2022, all employment-based applicants should refer to the “Dates for Filing” chart below.
| Employment- based |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
EL SALVADOR GUATEMALA HONDURAS |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| 1st | C | C | C | C | C | C |
| 2nd | 01NOV22 | 08JUN19 | 01NOV22 | 08OCT11 | 01NOV22 | 01NOV22 |
| 3rd | C | 01AUG18 | C | 15JUN12 | C | C |
| Other Workers | 01JUN20 | 22JUN13 | 01JUN20 | 15JUN12 | 01JUN20 | 01JUN20 |
| 4th | 22JUN22 | 22JUN22 | 15MAR18 | 22JUN22 | 15SEP20 | 22JUN22 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 22JUN22 | 22JUN22 | 15MAR18 | 22JUN22 | 15SEP20 | 22JUN22 |
| 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5) |
C | 22MAR15 | C | 08NOV19 | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: Rural (20%) |
C | C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: High Unemployment (10%) |
C | C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Set Aside: Infrastructure (2%) |
C | C | C | C | C | C |
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