This year's March Visa Bulletin reveals advancements in the Final Action Dates of all employment-based categories except EB-3 India. Notably, the Final Action Date for EB-2 China advanced by five months from March 1, 2012 to August 1, 2012, and EB-3 China from October 1, 2012 to June 1, 2013. While only slight advancements are seen in the Final Action Dates of all family-sponsored categories except F1 Philippines, and F2B and F4 Mexico, which remained stagnant, USCIS information on family-sponsored cases that in March, family-sponsored applicants may use the Dates for Filing chart, rather than the Final Action Dates chart, to determine when to file an adjustment of status application.

The U.S. Department of State has released the February 2016 Visa Bulletin. EB-2 India has moved from February 1, 2008 to August 1, 2008.

The Department of State released the January 2016 Visa Bulletin. EB-3 China (July 1, 2012) is still ahead of EB-2 China (February 1, 2012). Visa numbers are not available in the Certain Religious Workers (EB-4) and EB-5 Regional Center classes for China. The unavailability of EB-5 Regional Center visa numbers reflects the expiration of the EB-5 Pilot Program on December 11, 2015. If Congress acts to extend these Programs, the cut-off dates for the EB-5 Regional Center class would immediately become "Current" for all countries except China, which would be subject to a January 8, 2014 cut-off date.

USCIS Issued When to File Your Adjustment of Status Application for Family-Sponsored or Employment-Based Preference Visas: December 2015 to help readers determine if it is time to file their I-485 Application to Adjustment of Status to Lawful Permanent Resident (green card application). Earlier this year, the Department of State began issuing the monthly visa bulletin in a USCIS on new visa bulletin format with "Final Action Dates" and "Dates for Filing Applications."

The Department of State has released the August 2015 Visa Bulletin, and EB-3 Rest of World has advanced to July 15, 2015.

Read Kathryn Karam's latest article in the Houston Business Journal: What Donald Trump is Missing in the Immigration Debate.

The Department of State has released the April 2015 visa bulletin. Notably, EB-3 Rest-of-World has moved up to October 1, 2014.

The Department of State issued the February 2015 Visa Bulletin. EB-3 has advanced in all categories, particularly EB-3 Rest-of-World, China, Mexico and the Philippines. EB-2 China and EB-2 India have also advanced.

The Department of State has issued the January 2015 Visa Bulletin. Notable movement includes EB-3 China moving up to

The U.S. Department of State has issued the December 2014 Visa Bulletin. Notable changes include: