On September 9, 2015, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) and the Department of State (“DOS”), announced new procedures for determining visa availability for applicants waiting to file adjustment of status applications. These revisions are intended to implement executive actions by President Obama.

Prior to this change, DOS had published a single chart in its visa bulletin each month indicating “Final Action Dates For Employment-Based Preference Cases.” This chart determined both when an application could be filed as well as when pending applications could be adjudicated. Commencing with the October 1, 2015 visa bulletin, there will be a second chart published each month, which relates to existing DOS procedures for processing immigrant visas abroad. This second chart will now govern which cases are eligible to file for adjustment of status in the US.

These new procedures will allow individuals to apply for adjustment of status much earlier than would normally be the case, and with those applications, obtain ancillary benefits for themselves and their families such as work authorization and travel permission. The second preference category for India and the third preference category for the Philippines highlight the significance of this change, with the dates for each of those advancing by several years.   Excerpts from both bulletins follow:

Application final action dates for employment-based preference cases (normal chart):

Dates for filing of employment-based visa applications (new chart):

As with prior visa bulletins, dates may change on a monthly basis as DOS calculates visa demand. Individuals whose priority dates are close are advised to monitor the bulletin each month and be prepared to file when their dates become current on the new chart.