Wednesday, February 19, 2020 – The U.S Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs has published the March 2020 Visa Bulletin, revealing significant advancement of “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing” for EB-5 visa applicants from China, Vietnam, and India.
The March “Final Action Dates” are as follows:
China: May 15, 2015, advancing 23+ weeks from February
Vietnam: January 15, 2017, advancing 4+ weeks
India: October 22, 2018, advancing 7+ weeks
All other countries: Current
Beginning March 1, 2020: Chinese, Vietnamese and Indian EB-5 visa applicants who filed their I-526 petitions on or before the March “Final Action Dates” will be eligible for interviews with the Department of State Consular offices as well as issuance of immigrant visas to enter the U.S.
The March “Dates for Filing” are as follows:
China: December 15, 2015, advancing 30+ weeks from February
Vietnam: Current
India: Current
All other countries: Current
There has been a very rapid advancement of the China-mainland born fifth preference “Dates for Filing” the month of March. The March “Date for Filing” for China born applicants advanced 30+ weeks from the last visa Bulletin to December 15, 2015. In addition, USCIS will continue accepting Chart B dates for filing for EB-5 applications in March 2020. Eligible EB-5 applicants from China may file DS-260 Immigrant Visa Electronic Application (IVEA) or I-485 Adjustment of Status (AOS) if their priority date is earlier than December 15, 2015.
According to the Department of State, “This action has been taken in an effort to generate an increased level of demand. Despite the large amount of registered China fifth preference demand, currently there are not enough applicants who are actively pursuing final action on their case to fully utilize the amount of numbers which are expected to be available under the annual limit.”
The Department of State anticipates that if large numbers apply, corrective action may be required to control number use within the annual limit. This could result in retrogression. We encourage all eligible China born petitioners to apply as soon as possible.
All other counties remain current. Eligible EB-5 visa applicants from all countries (except mainland China) who are physically in the U.S. may file DS-260 IVEA or I-485 AOS upon I-526 petition approval.