US Visa Bulletin Dec: EB-1, 2, 3 Dates Advance for Indians

In a significant development for thousands of green card applicants, the Department of State has officially released the US Visa Bulletin December, outlining the latest movement in both Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing Applications. These updates determine when immigrant visa applicants can submit crucial documents to the National Visa Center based on petitions received by November 3.

For many immigrants—especially professionals from India navigating the highly backlogged employment-based system—this month’s bulletin offers a rare but welcome breath of relief.

US Visa Bulletin: Final Action Dates: Forward Movement Across Key Employment Categories

Under U.S. immigration rules, Final Action Dates dictate when a green card can be approved. Anyone applying for Adjustment of Status with USCIS must follow these dates unless the agency explicitly directs applicants to use the Filing Dates chart instead.

The US Visa Bulletin December highlights meaningful forward movement for India in the most competitive categories:

EB-1 (Priority Workers)

• Advancement: 1 month

• New Cut-Off Date: March 15, 2022
  This shift gives highly skilled researchers, executives, and professionals renewed momentum after months of limited movement.

EB-2 (Advanced Degree Professionals)

• Advancement: 1 month and 14 days

• New Cut-Off Date: May 15, 2013
  While still heavily retrogressed, the consistent progress signals cautious optimism for Indian applicants stuck in years-long backlogs.

EB-3 (Skilled and Professional Workers)

• Advancement: 1 month

• New Cut-Off Date: September 22, 2013
  This advance, though modest, offers hope to thousands waiting for long-stalled movement.

Dates for Filing Applications: No Change, but Important for Planning

While Final Action Dates moved forward, the Dates for Filing Applications remain unchanged for December:

• EB-1: April 15, 2023

• EB-2: December 1, 2013

• EB-3: August 15, 2014

• EB-5 (Unreserved): April 1, 2022

These dates allow applicants with earlier priority dates to prepare and submit their documentation to the National Visa Center upon receiving instructions.

For many Indian applicants, especially in EB-2 and EB-3, the stable Filing Dates still offer an opportunity to assemble Adjustment of Status (AOS) paperwork—even though USCIS will not process pending AOS cases until the Final Action Dates become current.

US Visa Bulletin: Why These Changes Matter

The employment-based categories—particularly EB-1 and EB-2—remain among the most popular immigration pathways for highly skilled Indian professionals aiming for long-term residency in the United States.

The forward movement in the US Visa Bulletin December reflects ongoing recalibration by immigration authorities as they balance annual visa caps, existing backlogs, and current demand. While the progress is incremental, each advancement signals potential acceleration in the coming fiscal quarters.

Understanding Filing Rules and When You Can Submit Documents

Applicants with a priority date earlier than the Filing Date listed in the bulletin are allowed to gather and submit their supporting documentation to the National Visa Center after receiving confirmation and detailed instructions.

For categories marked “current” or “C”, anyone in that category may file regardless of their priority date. The application date for oversubscribed categories, such as those for India, corresponds to the first applicant unable to submit documents due to reaching the quota limit.

USCIS may also allow applicants to use the Dates for Filing Visa Applications chart if it determines that more visas are available than known applicants—something that happens only in certain windows during the fiscal year.