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Visa Bulletin for January 2005

Final action dates for family-sponsored and employment-based green cards, as published by the U.S. Department of State.

22 final action dates advanced and 3 retrogressed compared with December 2004. Biggest moves: EB-3 (China, India and Philippines) retrogressed to Jan 1, 2002; F3 (Mexico) advanced 6.7 months to Jan 22, 1995; F1 (Mexico) advanced 3 months to Oct 15, 1994.

Final Action Dates — January 2005

An immigrant visa or green card can be approved only if the priority date is earlier than the date shown. Changes compared with December 2004 are shown under each date.

Family	All countries*	China	India	Mexico	Philippines
F1	Dec 22, 2000 +30 d	Dec 22, 2000 +30 d	Dec 22, 2000 +30 d	Oct 15, 1994 +3 mo	Oct 15, 1990 no change
F2A	Aug 15, 2000 +45 d	Aug 15, 2000 +45 d	Aug 15, 2000 +45 d	Oct 15, 1997 +23 d	Aug 15, 2000 +45 d
F2B	Aug 1, 1995 +10 d	Aug 1, 1995 +10 d	Aug 1, 1995 +10 d	Feb 15, 1992 +45 d	Aug 1, 1995 +10 d
F3	Dec 22, 1997 +21 d	Dec 22, 1997 +21 d	Dec 22, 1997 +21 d	Jan 22, 1995 +6.7 mo	Jun 1, 1990 no change
F4	Nov 22, 1992 +45 d	Nov 22, 1992 +45 d	Apr 8, 1992 +53 d	Nov 22, 1992 +45 d	Sep 22, 1982 no change

Employment	All countries*	China	India	Mexico	Philippines
EB-1	Current no change	Current no change	Current no change	Current no change	Current no change
EB-2	Current no change	Current no change	Current no change	Current no change	Current no change
EB-3	Current no change	Jan 1, 2002 retrogressed	Jan 1, 2002 retrogressed	Current no change	Jan 1, 2002 retrogressed
EB-3 Other Workers	Current no change	Current no change	Current no change	Current no change	Current no change
EB-4	Current no change	Current no change	Current no change	Current no change	Current no change
EB-5 Unreserved	Current no change	Current now current	Current no change	Current no change	Current no change

* "All countries" = All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed. "Current" means no backlog: any priority date qualifies. Dates are copied from the official bulletin; always confirm on travel.state.gov before acting.

Summary

What changed in the January 2005 Visa Bulletin?

EB-3 (China, India and Philippines) retrogressed to Jan 1, 2002; F3 (Mexico) advanced 6.7 months to Jan 22, 1995; F1 (Mexico) advanced 3 months to Oct 15, 1994; F4 (India) advanced 53 days to Apr 8, 1992; F2A (all countries, China, India and Philippines) advanced 45 days to Aug 15, 2000; F2B (Mexico) advanced 45 days to Feb 15, 1992; F4 (all countries, China and Mexico) advanced 45 days to Nov 22, 1992; F1 (all countries, China and India) advanced 30 days to Dec 22, 2000.

Sources.

Visa Bulletin for January 2005 (travel.state.gov)

Figures are copied from the official files without changes; derived numbers (changes, backlog estimates) are explained on the methodology page. Not legal advice.