• Source:JND
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The US Department of State’s December Visa Bulletin has brought long-awaited relief for thousands of Indian green card applicants, particularly in the EB-1 and EB-2 categories. After months of stagnation and minimal movement, the bulletin shows meaningful forward progress across key employment-based categories, breaking a prolonged phase of retrogression and uncertainty.

For Indian applicants in the EB-1 category, the Final Action Date has advanced one month to March 15, 2022, up from February 15, 2022. Although modest, this advancement indicates continued recovery after earlier retrogressions and signals cautious optimism for highly skilled professionals waiting in the queue.

The EB-2 category, often the most heavily backlogged for India, also moved forward. The Final Action Date now stands at May 15, 2013, advancing one month and 14 days from the previous cut-off of April 1, 2013. While still deep within the decade-long backlog, the forward movement reflects steady, if gradual, progress.

The EB-3 category has shown similar improvement, with the Final Action Date advancing one month to September 22, 2013, offering additional relief to applicants waiting nearly 11 years.

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Dates for Filing Remain Unchanged 

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed that it will continue to use the Dates for Filing chart for both family-based and employment-based applicants. This offers a crucial advantage: eligible applicants can file Adjustment of Status (AOS) earlier, gaining access to employment authorisation documents (EAD), advance parole (travel permits), and priority date protection.

The Dates for Filing cut-offs remain unchanged:

EB-1 India: April 15, 2023

EB-2 India: December 1, 2013

EB-3 India: August 15, 2014

EB-5 Unreserved: April 1, 2022

Applicants whose priority dates fall before these cut-offs should begin preparing documentation. Those with pending AOS cases, however, must wait until their Final Action Dates become current for green card approval.

Family-Based Categories Mostly Stagnant

While employment-based categories saw positive shifts, family-based visa categories remain largely unchanged. Final Action Dates for F1, F2A, F2B, F3, and F4 show no significant movement. The only exception is F2A, where applicants can file one month earlier from November 22, 2025.

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The December Visa Bulletin signals renewed momentum for Indian green card applicants after a prolonged period of minimal progress. With USCIS allowing early filing through the Dates for Filing chart, many applicants can secure key immigration benefits even before green card numbers become available, providing a much-needed sense of relief and stability.

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