February 16, 2023
The U.S. Department of State (“DOS”) has released the March 2023 Visa Bulletin. The visa bulletin shows little movement in key categories (e.g., EB-1, EB-2 and EB-3 final action and application filing dates remain the same as last month’s visa bulletin). Please see the “Final Action Dates for Employment-Based Preference Cases” chart below. Additionally, the DOS has noted increased demand in the EB-2 and EB-3 categories. For the EB-2 category, the DOS has indicated that this will necessitate corrective action in the coming months. For the EB-3 category, the DOS may need to establish a worldwide final action cutoff date (including Mexico and Philippines) in the coming months.
Employment-
based |
All Chargeability
Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA-
mainland born |
EL SALVADOR
GUATEMALA HONDURAS |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
1st | C | 01FEB22 | C | 01FEB22 | C | C |
2nd | 01NOV22 | 08JUN19 | 01NOV22 | 08OCT11 | 01NOV22 | 01NOV22 |
3rd | C | 01AUG18 | C | 15JUN12 | C | C |
Other Workers | 01JAN20 | 01JUL14 | 01JAN20 | 15JUN12 | 01JAN20 | 01JAN20 |
4th | 01FEB22 | 01FEB22 | 15MAR18 | 01MAR21 | 01AUG20 | 01FEB22 |
Certain Religious Workers | 01FEB22 | 01FEB22 | 15MAR18 | 01MAR21 | 01AUG20 | 01FEB22 |
5th Unreserved
(including C5, T5, I5, R5) |
C | 08JUL15 | C | 01JUN18 | 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 March 2023 Visa Bulletin, USCIS advised which chart prospective green card applicants should refer to when determining if they are eligible to file an application in March 2023.
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 March 2023, 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 March 2023, 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 | 01JUN22 | C | 01JUN22 | C | C |
2nd | 01DEC22 | 08JUL19 | 01DEC22 | 01MAY12 | 01DEC22 | 01DEC22 |
3rd | C | 01SEP18 | C | 01AUG12 | C | C |
Other Workers | 01FEB20 | 01NOV15 | 01FEB20 | 01AUG12 | 01FEB20 | 01FEB20 |
4th | 01MAR22 | 01MAR22 | 15APR18 | 01APR21 | 01SEP20 | 01MAR22 |
Certain Religious Workers | 01MAR22 | 01MAR22 | 15APR18 | 01APR21 | 01SEP20 | 01MAR22 |
5th Unreserved
(including C5, T5, I5, R5) |
C | 01JAN16 | C | 08DEC19 | 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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