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Visa Bulletin for January 2009

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

33 final action dates advanced and 0 retrogressed compared with December 2008. Biggest moves: EB-3 (China) advanced 3.9 months to Jun 1, 2002; EB-3 (Mexico) advanced 2.5 months to Nov 15, 2002; EB-3 Other Workers (all countries, China, India, Mexico and Philippines) advanced 59 days to Mar 15, 2003.

Final Action Dates — January 2009

An immigrant visa or green card can be approved only if the priority date is earlier than the date shown. Changes compared with December 2008 are shown under each date.

Family	All countries*	China	India	Mexico	Philippines
F1	Jun 15, 2002 +24 d	Jun 15, 2002 +24 d	Jun 15, 2002 +24 d	Oct 1, 1992 +9 d	Jul 15, 1993 +44 d
F2A	May 15, 2004 +44 d	May 15, 2004 +44 d	May 15, 2004 +44 d	Aug 15, 2001 +14 d	May 15, 2004 +44 d
F2B	Mar 22, 2000 +36 d	Mar 22, 2000 +36 d	Mar 22, 2000 +36 d	May 1, 1992 no change	Sep 1, 1997 +48 d
F3	Aug 1, 2000 +10 d	Aug 1, 2000 +10 d	Aug 1, 2000 +10 d	Oct 1, 1992 no change	May 22, 1991 +7 d
F4	Feb 8, 1998 +38 d	Aug 22, 1997 +38 d	Nov 1, 1997 +47 d	Mar 8, 1995 +21 d	May 1, 1986 +16 d

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	Jul 8, 2004 +37 d	Jul 1, 2003 +30 d	Current no change	Current no change
EB-3	May 1, 2005 no change	Jun 1, 2002 +3.9 mo	Oct 15, 2001 +14 d	Nov 15, 2002 +2.5 mo	May 1, 2005 no change
EB-3 Other Workers	Mar 15, 2003 +59 d	Mar 15, 2003 +59 d	Mar 15, 2003 +59 d	Mar 15, 2003 +59 d	Mar 15, 2003 +59 d
EB-4	Current no change	Current no change	Current no change	Current no change	Current no change
EB-5 Unreserved	Current no change	Current no change	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 2009 Visa Bulletin?

EB-3 (China) advanced 3.9 months to Jun 1, 2002; EB-3 (Mexico) advanced 2.5 months to Nov 15, 2002; EB-3 Other Workers (all countries, China, India, Mexico and Philippines) advanced 59 days to Mar 15, 2003; F2B (Philippines) advanced 48 days to Sep 1, 1997; F4 (India) advanced 47 days to Nov 1, 1997; F1 (Philippines) advanced 44 days to Jul 15, 1993; F2A (all countries, China, India and Philippines) advanced 44 days to May 15, 2004; F4 (all countries) advanced 38 days to Feb 8, 1998.

Sources.

Visa Bulletin for January 2009 (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.