The Department of State (DOS) has released the April 2016 Visa Bulletin, with the Application Final Action Date chart for employment-based applications reflecting some substantial movement. The 2nd preference category for China-mainland born applicants has moved ahead one month to Sept. 1, 2012, and for India born applicants it has moved ahead a few weeks to Nov. 8, 2008. The 3rd preference and Other Workers categories have moved ahead at least one month for all applicants. The Final Action Date cut-off for China-mainland born applicants is now Feb. 1, 2014, for all 5th preference category applicants. There was no movement in the Dates for Filing chart for employment-based categories.
The family-based categories also showed slight movement in the Application Final Action Date chart, but there was no movement in the Dates for Filing chart.
As reported, last month prospective adjustment of status applicants were advised to use the Application Final Action Date chart to determine their eligibility to file applications, despite previous guidance that the Dates for Filing chart could be used. USCIS has not yet advised which April 2016 charts should be referred to in filing adjustment of status applications for family- or employment-based petitions, but anticipates that this information will be released within the week.
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