The Visa Bulletin is released monthly by the Department of State and is used to determine when a sponsored foreign national can submit the final step of the green card process, or if already pending, when the final step can be adjudicated.

Below is a summary of the January Visa Bulletin, including Final Action Dates and changes from the previous month.

China: EB-1 moves ahead just one week to May 22, 2017; EB-2 creeps forward eight days to July 1, 2015; and EB-3 advances one month to December 1, 2015

India: EB-1 remains stalled at January 1, 2015; EB-2 crawls ahead three days to May 18, 2009; and EB-3 remains stalled at January 1, 2009

Philippines: EB-1 advances two and a half months to October 1, 2018; EB-2 remains current; and EB-3 advances two weeks to March 15, 2018

All Other Countries: EB-1 jumps ahead two and a half months to October 1, 2018; EB-2 and EB-3 remain current

NOTE:         USCIS has not yet announced if it will accept I-485 applications in January based on the Department of State’s Dates for Filing chart.