January 2024 Visa Bulletin Update

December 27, 2023
Quick Recap 
  • Next month, USCIS will accept employment-based adjustment of status applications from foreign nationals with a priority date that is earlier than the Dates for Filing listed in the State Department’s January Visa Bulletin.
  • To be eligible to file an employment-based adjustment application in January, foreign national must have a priority date that is earlier than the date listed below for their preference category and country:
    • EB-1
      • China: January 1, 2023
      • India: January 1, 2021
      • All other countries: Current
    • EB-2
      • China: June 1, 2020*
      • India: May 15, 2012
      • All other countries: February 15, 2023
      • *Note: The State Department website erroneously repeats last month’s date of January 1, 2020 for this category, and the error is repeated on the USCIS website. However, the Official January Visa Bulletin, which is understood to be the most accurate source, lists a June 1, 2020 date. 
    • EB-3
      • China: June 1, 2017
      • India: August 1, 2012
      • Philippines: May 15, 2020
      • All other countries: December 15, 2020
    • EB-4
      • All countries: September 1, 2019
    • EB-5 Unreserved
      • China: January 1, 2017
      • India: April 1, 2022
      • All other countries: Current
    • EB-5 Set-Asides
      • Rural: Current for all countries
      • High Unemployment: Current for all countries
      • Infrastructure: Current for all countries

October Visa Bulletin – Modest Advancement for China

September 21, 2023
Quick Recap

  • In October, the EB-1 Final Action Date will advance two weeks for China to February 15, 2022, while the EB-1 category for all other countries will become current again (with the exception of India, which is January 1, 2017). 
  • The EB-2 Final Action Date for China will advance nearly three months, to October 1, 2019. For all other countries except India (which is January 1, 2012), it will advance by one week to July 8, 2022.
  • The EB-3 Professional/Skilled Worker Final Action Date will advance by four months for China, to January 1, 2020, and by nineteen months for all other countries (with the exception of India, which is May 1, 2012).
  • EB-5 Unreserved Final Action Dates will advance by three weeks for China.
  • In October, USCIS will accept employment-based adjustment of status applications from foreign nationals with a priority date that is earlier than the Dates for Filing listed in the State Department’s October 2023 Visa Bulletin.
For more details please visit the State Department’s October Visa Bulletin.

Effective immediately: All visitors are required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination

December 16, 2021


Effective immediately and pursuant to New York Governor Hochul’s mandate, our office will require all visitors (12 years of age or older*) to show proof of full vaccination prior to entry. In accordance with CDC’s definition, fully vaccinated is defined as 14 days past an individual’s last vaccination dose in their initial vaccine series. We accept Excelsior Pass, Excelsior Pass Plus, SMART Health Cards issued outside of New York State, full-course vaccination through NYC COVID Safe app, a CDC Vaccination Card, or other official immunization record. This mandate is scheduled to be reassessed on January 15, 2022. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

* Vaccines for children ages 5 – 11 have only been available since November 2021. Therefore, children ages 5 – 11 only have to show proof of having had at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccination.