APRIL 2022 VISA BULLETIN: ADVANCEMENT FOR EB-2 INDIA, LITTLE MOVEMENT IN OTHER CATEGORIES

By: Diya Mathews

The United States State Department has released its April 2022 Visa Bulletin. The bulletin features limited movement in Final Action Dates for most categories. However, EB-2 India advances two months in the Final Action Dates chart and a full year in the Dates for Filing chart. EB-3 China Other Workers advance one month in the Dates for Filing chart.

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will accept adjustment of status applications based on the Dates for Filing chart. Applicants can apply for adjustment of status if their priority date is earlier than the cutoff date for their nationality and preference category in the Dates for Filing chart.

APRIL 2022 FINAL ACTION DATES 
The final action dates for employment-based visas are as follows in the April 2022 bulletin:

• EB-1:All countries remain current.
• EB-2:China remains on March 1, 2019. India advances approximately two months to July 8, 2013. All other countries remain current.
• EB-3 Professional and Skilled Workers: China remains on March 22, 2018, and India remains on January 15, 2012. All other countries remain current.
• EB-3 Other Workers: China advances one month to June 1, 2012, and India remains on January 15, 2012. All other countries remain current.
• EB-4: The final action for El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras is May 1, 2017. For Mexico the final action date is now April 1, 2020. All other countries remain current.
• EB-5 Non-Regional (C5, T5): All countries are current.

APRIL 2022 DATES FOR FILING 

• EB-1:
  • All filing dates remain current.
• EB-2:
  • China: April 1, 2019
  • India: September 1, 2014
  • All other countries: Current
• EB-3 Professional and Skilled Workers:
  • China: April 1, 2018
  • India: January 22, 2012
  • All other countries: Current
• EB-3 Other Workers:
  • China: August 1, 2015
  • India: January 22, 2012
  • All other countries: Current
• EB-4:
  • El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras: June 1, 2017
  • All other countries: Current
• EB-5:
  • China: December 15, 2015
  • All other countries: Current

EB-3 OTHER WORKERS 
In the case of high number use in the EB-3 Other Workers category, a worldwide new Final Action date may be established due to the fiscal year 2022 annual limit.

EB-5 REGIONAL CENTER 
President Biden reauthorized the EB-5 Regional Center Program on March 15, 2022, as part of the omnibus appropriations bill. The program has been extended through September 30, 2027. While some parts of the program will go into effect in May, the program is still unavailable for April.

DELAYS IN CONSULAR OPERATIONS 
Consular operations continue to be affected by COVID-19 public health concerns and result in visa backlogs and low visa issuance abroad. Applicants who applied for immigrant visas that are no longer affected by the Trump era immigration bans might see progress in their cases, however delays are unavoidable. Applicants denied immigrant visas due to the ban should expect further instruction from the consulate that is handling their application.

CONCLUSION
For any questions or assistance adjusting to permanent resident status, contact your trusted Chugh, LLP immigration professional.