By: Jacqueline Valle and Toni Ordona

The United States State Department has released the January 2022 Visa Bulletin. Applicants should refer to the new final action dates and dates for filing in employment-based categories. After an increase in demand resulted in significant regression in November 2021, EB-3 visa cut-off dates remain consistent.

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services will accept adjustment of status applications based on the Dates for Filing chart. Foreign nationals whose priority dates are earlier than the cut-off date listed for their preference category and country may file their applications for adjustment of status beginning in January.

Final action dates chart

Dates for filing chart 

consular operations 

COVID-19-related visa backlogs, reduced operations, and increased holiday continue to limit the number of visas issued. Trump-era immigration bans have been lifted, resulting in some previously held back immigrant visa applicants advancing. Applicants rejected under an immigrant visa ban may receive further instruction from their local consulate. However, all visa applicants will be impacted by consular office backlogs and delays.

eb-5 regional center program 

The EB-5 Regional Center program expired on June 30, 2021. The program concluded adjudications of immigrant visas and adjustments of status on that date. The visa category is now listed as “unavailable.” Discussions regarding the future of the visa program are still ongoing in Congress.

conclusion

For any questions or assistance related to adjusting to legal permanent resident, contact your trusted Chugh, LLP immigration specialist.