February 2021 Visa Bulletin

Summary

According to the State Department’s February Visa Bulletin, final action cutoff dates for issuance of an immigrant visa will be as follows: 

• According to the State Department’s February Visa Bulletin, final action cutoff dates for issuance of an immigrant visa will be as follows: 
• EB-1 China and EB-1 India Final Action dates will advance by four months to January 1, 2020. 
• EB-2 China will advance by two weeks to June 15, 2016, and EB-2 India will advance by four days to October 12, 2009.
• EB-3 China will advance by two weeks to January 1, 2018, and EB-3 India will advance by more than one week to April 1, 2010.
• EB-5 China will remain at August 15, 2015, and EB-5 Vietnam will advance by two weeks to October 1, 2017.
• USCIS has announced that it will honor Final Action dates for employment-based adjustment of status applications.

A closer look 

According to the State Department’s February Visa Bulletin, final action cutoff dates for issuance of an immigrant visa will be as follows: 

• EB-1: All countries except for China and India will remain current in February. China and India will advance by four months to January 1, 2020.
• EB-2: China will advance by two weeks to June 15, 2016, while India will advance by four days to October 12, 2009. All other countries will remain current.
• EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers: Cutoff dates for China will advance two weeks to January 1, 2018, and for India will advance more than one week to April 1, 2010. All other countries will remain current in February.
• EB-5: The Regional and Non-Regional Center programs will remain current for all countries except China and Vietnam. China will remain at August 15, 2015, while Vietnam will advance by two weeks to October 1, 2017.​

USCIS Employment-based Priority Date Cut-offs in February 2021

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced on its Visa Bulletin web page that it will honor the State Department’s Final Action Date chart for adjustment of status filings in February. To be eligible to file an employment-based adjustment application in February, employer-sponsored foreign nationals must have a priority date that is earlier than the date listed below for their preference category and country.

Impact of Presidential Proclamation

Prior to leaving office, former President Trump extended the April 22 proclamation temporarily suspending the entry of certain immigrants to March 31, 2021. It remains unclear as to whether President Biden will rescind the proclamation. Until further notice, the bar will continue to limit the issuance of immigrant visas by U.S. consulates abroad.

Projections for Employment-based Immigrant Visa Availability

In the February Bulletin, the State Department provides projections for immigrant visa availability through May 2021. Actual movement can depart from projections, but the State Department currently predicts the following potential monthly cut-off date movement:

• EB-1: China and India could advance up to six months. Other countries to remain Current.
• EB-2: China could advance up to three weeks and India up to two weeks. Other countries to remain Current.
• EB-3: China could advance up to one month and India up to three weeks. Other countries to remain Current.
• EB-5: No forward movement for China. Up to three weeks for Vietnam. Other countries to remain Current.