March 2023 Visa Bulletin Shows Little Movement

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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