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Visa Bulletin for January 2012

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

36 final action dates advanced and 0 retrogressed compared with December 2011. Biggest moves: EB-2 (China and India) advanced 9.6 months to Jan 1, 2009; F1 (Philippines) advanced 45 days to Apr 15, 1997; F1 (all countries, China and India) advanced 44 days to Oct 15, 2004.

Final Action Dates — January 2012

An immigrant visa or green card can be approved only if the priority date is earlier than the date shown. Changes compared with December 2011 are shown under each date.

Family	All countries*	China	India	Mexico	Philippines
F1	Oct 15, 2004 +44 d	Oct 15, 2004 +44 d	Oct 15, 2004 +44 d	Apr 15, 1993 +7 d	Apr 15, 1997 +45 d
F2A	Apr 22, 2009 +31 d	Apr 22, 2009 +31 d	Apr 22, 2009 +31 d	Mar 22, 2009 +42 d	Apr 22, 2009 +31 d
F2B	Sep 8, 2003 +24 d	Sep 8, 2003 +24 d	Sep 8, 2003 +24 d	Dec 1, 1992 +9 d	Sep 1, 2001 +17 d
F3	Nov 1, 2001 +24 d	Nov 1, 2001 +24 d	Nov 1, 2001 +24 d	Dec 22, 1992 +7 d	Jul 15, 1992 +7 d
F4	Aug 15, 2000 +31 d	Aug 15, 2000 +31 d	Aug 15, 2000 +31 d	May 8, 1996 +7 d	Oct 8, 1988 +30 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	Jan 1, 2009 +9.6 mo	Jan 1, 2009 +9.6 mo	Current no change	Current no change
EB-3	Feb 1, 2006 +17 d	Oct 15, 2004 +37 d	Aug 8, 2002 +7 d	Feb 1, 2006 +17 d	Feb 1, 2006 +17 d
EB-3 Other Workers	Feb 1, 2006 +31 d	Apr 22, 2003 no change	Aug 1, 2002 +10 d	Feb 1, 2006 +31 d	Feb 1, 2006 +31 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 2012 Visa Bulletin?

EB-2 (China and India) advanced 9.6 months to Jan 1, 2009; F1 (Philippines) advanced 45 days to Apr 15, 1997; F1 (all countries, China and India) advanced 44 days to Oct 15, 2004; F2A (Mexico) advanced 42 days to Mar 22, 2009; EB-3 (China) advanced 37 days to Oct 15, 2004; F2A (all countries, China, India and Philippines) advanced 31 days to Apr 22, 2009; F4 (all countries, China and India) advanced 31 days to Aug 15, 2000; EB-3 Other Workers (all countries, Mexico and Philippines) advanced 31 days to Feb 1, 2006.

Sources.

Visa Bulletin for January 2012 (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.