September 2016 Visa Bulletin update

Learn whether your priority date is current (meaning you are closer to receiving a green card) in the latest Visa Bulletin. The U.S. Department of State has released the September 2016 edition. Get a rundown on how to read the charts in Introducing the New Visa Bulletin.

September 2016 family-based Visa Bulletin
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services released a bulletin informing foreign nationals with pending family-based green card petitions that they may use the Dates for Filing Visa Applications chart to determine when to file Form I-485, the Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.

Month-to-month changes
The dates on this chart remained the same as August 2016.

Month-to-month changes 

• F-1: Most areas advanced around three months.
• F-2A: No movement.
• F-2B: Most areas advanced a week to multiple weeks while the Philippines advanced more than two months.
• F-3: Mexico advanced two weeks while the Philippines advanced three months.

Family-based green card categories:

• F-1: Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens
• F-2A: Spouses and children of legal permanent residents (LPRs)
• F-2B: Unmarried adult children of LPRs
• F-3: Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens
• F-4: Brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens

September 2016 employment-based Visa Bulletin
Unfortunately, foreign nationals with employment-based green card petitions aren’t able to use the Dates for Filing chart (below) and must use the Application Final Action Dates chart to determine when to file Form I-485.

Month-to-month changes
The dates on this chart remained the same as August 2016.

Month-to-month changes 

• EB-1: No movement.
• EB-2: No movement in any areas except India, which advanced more than two months.
• EB-3 and Other Workers: Each area advanced around a couple months except China.
• EB-4 and Certain Religious Workers and EB-5: No movement.

 Employment-based green card categories:

• EB-1: Priority workers with extraordinary abilities, outstanding professors or researchers, and executives or managers who’ve transferred to the United States
• EB-2: Individuals with advanced degrees, exceptional abilities, or those holding national interest waivers
• EB-3: Skilled workers, professionals and others who don’t qualify for EB-1 or EB-2
• EB-4: Religious workers, broadcasters, Iraq/Afghan translators, Iraqis who have assisted the United States, physicians, Armed Forces members, Panama Canal Zone employees, Retired NATO-6 employees, spouses and children of deceased NATO-6 employees
• EB-5: Investors who are investing in a new commercial enterprise

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