EB-3 China Priority Date Tracker
Latest September 2026 cut-off dates for Employment-Based Third Preference (EB-3) 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 Third Preference (EB-3) category covers skilled workers, professionals, and other workers born in mainland China.
For the September 2026 Visa Bulletin, the EB-3 China Final Action date is January 1, 2022, and the Dates for Filing is set to January 8, 2022. Candidates close to the cut-off dates should prepare their adjustments and document collections.
Understanding the Backlog (EB-3 China)
The EB-3 China queue frequently moves ahead of or behind the EB-2 China queue. This creates situations where Master's degree holders choose to file in EB-3 (downgrade) to file their I-485 forms sooner.
Important Tips:
- The Downgrade Strategy: If your priority date is current under EB-3 but not EB-2, your employer can file a new I-140 under EB-3 alongside an I-485 adjustment package.
- Priority Date Carry-Over: Ensure your first I-140 remains approved for 180 days so your priority date is permanently locked and protected.
- Maintain H-1B/L-1 Status: Even after filing an I-485 and receiving an EAD/AP, it is highly recommended to maintain your nonimmigrant visa status as a safety net in case of I-485 denial.
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 | Jan 1, 2022 —No change (Held) | Jan 8, 2022 —No change (Held) | Steady; cut-off held unchanged. |
| August 2026August 2026 | Jan 1, 2022 +10 d | Jan 8, 2022 +7 d | Chart A reaches 2022, officially overtaking EB-2 China. |
| July 2026July 2026 | Dec 22, 2021 +4 mo 21 d | Jan 1, 2022 —No change (Held) | Chart A advances 4.7 months to Dec 2021. |
| June 2026June 2026 | Aug 1, 2021 +1 mo 17 d | Jan 1, 2022 —No change (Held) | Regular monthly processing. |
| May 2026May 2026 | Jun 15, 2021 —No change (Held) | Jan 1, 2022 —No change (Held) | Steady; cut-off held unchanged. |
| April 2026April 2026 | Jun 15, 2021 +1 mo 15 d | Jan 1, 2022 —No change (Held) | Regular monthly processing. |
| March 2026March 2026 | May 1, 2021 —No change (Held) | Jan 1, 2022 —No change (Held) | Steady; cut-off held unchanged. |
| February 2026February 2026 | May 1, 2021 —No change (Held) | Jan 1, 2022 —No change (Held) | Steady; cut-off held unchanged. |
| January 2026January 2026 | May 1, 2021 +0 mo 30 d | Jan 1, 2022 —No change (Held) | Regular monthly processing. |
| December 2025December 2025 | Apr 1, 2021 +1 mo 1 d | Jan 1, 2022 —No change (Held) | Regular monthly processing. |
| November 2025November 2025 | Mar 1, 2021 —No change (Held) | Jan 1, 2022 —No change (Held) | Steady; cut-off held unchanged. |
| October 2025October 2025 | Mar 1, 2021 +2 mo 29 d | Jan 1, 2022 +12 mo 10 d | Chart B advances 12+ months to Jan 2022. |
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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