EB-3 Petitions Move Forward to October 2023

There is positive news for applicants in the Employment-Based Third Preference (EB-3) category. According to the latest Visa Bulletin, the EB-3 Dates for Filing have advanced from July 1, 2023, to October 1, 2023, for all areas except India and China.

EB-3 filing date is now October 1, 2023. If your priority date is earlier than this date, you may be eligible to file your Adjustment of Status (Form I-485). This represents a three-month forward movement and allows more applicants to proceed in the green card process.

While India and China did not see advancement in this category, the forward movement for the rest of the world is an encouraging development following prior retrogressions.

If your priority date is earlier than the applicable cutoff date for your country, you may now be eligible to move forward with your green card process. Filing an I-485 can provide important benefits, including eligibility for employment authorization (EAD), advance parole for travel.

Visa Bulletin movement, however, can change quickly depending on demand. Retrogression is always possible if filings increase significantly.

Given this advancement, we strongly recommend that eligible EB-3 applicants prepare and file as soon as possible once USCIS confirms that the Dates for Filing chart may be used. When categories move forward, it often leads to a surge in filings, which can later result in retrogression. Filing early not only secures your place in line but also allows you to obtain interim benefits such as work authorization and travel permission.

Now is a good time to check your priority date and speak with us to see whether this advancement creates a new opportunity for you.