October 2023 Visa Bulletin: New Fiscal Year Brings Some Advancement for Most Employment-Based Categories

By: Gladys Gervacio

 

Introduction

The United States Department of State has released the October 2023 Visa Bulletin. For the new fiscal year, Final Action Dates for EB-1 advances by five years for India and two weeks for China, while all other countries become current.

DOS stated that there are potential date advancements throughout the fiscal year but actual date movements will depend on visa demand and patterns of visa issuance.  

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it will honor the Dates for Filing chart to file adjustment of status applications.  

October 2023 Final Action Dates: 

• EB-1: All other countries are current again except India which advances to January 1, 2017 and China which advances to February 15, 2022.
• EB-2: India advances to January 1, 2012. China advances to October 1, 2019. All other countries have slightly advanced to July 8, 2022.
• EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers: India advances to May 1, 2012 while China advances to January 1, 2020. All other countries have advanced significantly to December 1, 2021.
• EB-5 Unreserved (C5, T5, I5, and R5): India advances to December 15, 2018 and China advances to October 15, 2015. Other countries remain current. EB-5 set-aside categories such as Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure also remain current for all countries.

 October 2023 Dates for Filing:

    EB-1:  

• China: August 1, 2022  
• India: July 1, 2019  
• All other countries: Current  

EB-2:  

• China: January 1, 2020 
• India: May 15, 2012  
• All other countries: January 1, 2023  

EB-3 Professional and Skilled Workers:  

• China: September 1, 2020
• India: August 1, 2012 
• Philippines: January 1, 2023
• All other countries: February 1, 2023 

EB-3 Other Workers:  

• China: June 1, 2017  
• India: August 1, 2012 
• Philippines: May 15, 2020
• All other countries: December 15, 2020 

EB-4:  

• All countries: March 1, 2019

EB-5 Unreserved:  

• China: January 1, 2017 
• India: April 1, 2022
• All other countries: Current  

Conclusion 

For any questions or assistance regarding the October 2023 Visa Bulletin, applying for an immigrant visa and filing for adjustment of status, please contact your trusted Chugh, LLP immigration professional.