EB-1 China Priority Date Tracker
Latest September 2026 cut-off dates for Employment-Based First Preference (EB-1) China.
Consular processing and green card approvals are currently frozen because the annual category limit has been reached.
Applicants with priority dates earlier than this date can submit documentation or file I-485 packets.
The Employment-Based First Preference (EB-1) category is the highest priority immigrant visa classification in the United States. It encompasses three distinct pathways: EB-1A (Aliens of Extraordinary Ability), EB-1B (Outstanding Professors and Researchers), and EB-1C (Multinational Managers and Executives).
In the September 2026 Visa Bulletin, the Final Action Date (Chart A) for EB-1 China stands at July 1, 2023, and the Dates for Filing (Chart B) stands at December 1, 2023. Applicants whose priority dates are earlier than these cut-offs are eligible for immigrant visa issuance or adjustment of status filings when authorized by USCIS.
Understanding the Backlog (EB-1 China)
While EB-1 was historically "Current" year-round for all countries, elevated demand from Chinese professionals has created a persistent waiting queue. However, EB-1 China moves significantly faster than EB-2 or EB-3, with typical backlogs ranging between 1.5 to 3 years.
Strategic Considerations for Chinese EB-1 Applicants:
- Self-Petitioning Without an Employer: EB-1A does not require a job offer or a U.S. employer sponsor, nor does it require a PERM labor certification from the Department of Labor.
- Cross-Chargeability Bypass: If your spouse was born in Taiwan, Hong Kong, or any non-backlogged country, you can charge your priority date to your spouse's nationality and file immediately under Current status.
- Premium Processing (Form I-907): Form I-140 petitions for all EB-1 subcategories qualify for 15-business-day expedited adjudication from USCIS.
12-Month Priority Date Movement History
Month-by-month tracking of Chart A (Final Action) and Chart B (Dates for Filing) cut-off movements.
| Bulletin Month | Chart A (Final Action) | Chart B (Dates for Filing) | USCIS Filing Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 2026September 2026 | Jul 1, 2023 —No change (Held) | Dec 1, 2023 —No change (Held) | Steady; cut-off held unchanged. |
| August 2026August 2026 | Jul 1, 2023 +0 mo 30 d | Dec 1, 2023 —No change (Held) | Regular monthly processing. |
| July 2026July 2026 | Jun 1, 2023 +2 mo | Dec 1, 2023 —No change (Held) | Chart A advances 2 full months to June 2023. |
| June 2026June 2026 | Apr 1, 2023 —No change (Held) | Dec 1, 2023 —No change (Held) | Steady; cut-off held unchanged. |
| May 2026May 2026 | Apr 1, 2023 —No change (Held) | Dec 1, 2023 —No change (Held) | Steady; cut-off held unchanged. |
| April 2026April 2026 | Apr 1, 2023 +1 mo 1 d | Dec 1, 2023 —No change (Held) | Regular monthly processing. |
| March 2026March 2026 | Mar 1, 2023 +28 d | Dec 1, 2023 +4 mo | Chart B reaches Dec 2023; wide filing window for I-485. |
| February 2026February 2026 | Feb 1, 2023 —No change (Held) | Aug 1, 2023 —No change (Held) | Steady; cut-off held unchanged. |
| January 2026January 2026 | Feb 1, 2023 +10 d | Aug 1, 2023 +2 mo 17 d | Chart B jumps 2.5 months to Aug 2023. |
| December 2025December 2025 | Jan 22, 2023 +1 mo 1 d | May 15, 2023 —No change (Held) | Regular monthly processing. |
| November 2025November 2025 | Dec 22, 2022 —No change (Held) | May 15, 2023 —No change (Held) | Steady; cut-off held unchanged. |
| October 2025October 2025 | Dec 22, 2022 +1 mo 7 d | May 15, 2023 +4 mo 12 d | FY26 begins; Chart B opens to May 2023 for early filing. |
How to Use This 12-Month Movement Data for Your Strategy
Department of State annual visa quotas replenish every October 1st. First-quarter bulletins (Oct-Jan) typically offer the widest Chart B filing windows, spring bulletins reach peak Chart A advancement, and summer months carry heightened risk of retrogression or category exhaustion.
Priority Date Movement (Historical Trend)
23-Month Trend
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