March 2020 Visa Bulletin

February 19, 2020

Subsequent to the issuance of the March 2020 Visa Bulletin, USCIS has informed prospective applicants of which chart to reference when determining if they are eligible to file an application in March. Please note that there has been significant retrogression for employment-based 3^rd preference (EB-3) priority dates for employment-based applicants under the Final Action Dates Chart, and these applicants are now directed to use the Dates for Filing Chart for March 2020.

Family-Sponsored Applicants: Dates for Filing Chart (Except F2A Category)

In March 2020, most family sponsored applicants should refer to the “Dates for Filing” chart in the Department of State Visa Bulletin (below). The “C” listing indicates that the category is current, and that applications may be filed regardless of the applicant’s priority date. The listing of a date for any category indicates that only applicants with a priority date which is earlier than the listed date may file their application (Department of State, “Visa Bulletin for March 2020”).

Dates for Filing for Family-Sponsored Applicants:

 

NOTE: Applicants in the F2A category may file based on the “Final Action Dates” chart in March 2020. This category is current and includes Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents.

Final Action Dates for Family-Sponsored Applicants:

Employment-Based Applicants: Dates for Filing Chart

In March 2020, employment-based applicants should reference the “Dates for Filing” chart below. The listing of a date for any category indicates that the class is oversubscribed; “C” means that the category is current. Employment-based applicants may submit their applications if their category is listed as current or if they have a priority date earlier than the date listed for their category.

Dates for Filing for Employment-Based Applicants:

NOTE: USCIS indicates that if a particular immigrant visa category is “current” on the Final Action Dates chart or the cutoff date on the Final Action Dates chart is later than the date on the Dates for Filing chart, applicants in that immigrant visa category may file using the “Final Action Dates” chart during that month. This means that many EB-3 categories are no longer current in March 2020 as they were in February 2020. Employment-based third preference applicants (EB-3) are now directed to use the Dates for Filing Chart for March 2020.

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TAGS: Department of State, employment-based immigration, Family-based immigration, Priority Date, USCIS, Visa Bulletin