China (mainland-born) — Visa Bulletin October 2016
Final Action Dates, verbatim from the U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin for October 2016.
| Category | Cutoff | Movement vs prev. |
|---|---|---|
| EB-1 (Priority Workers) | Current (C) | — |
| EB-2 (Advanced Degree / NIW) | Mar 1, 2013 | ▼ -92 days |
| EB-3 (Skilled / Professional) | May 1, 2014 | ▼ -365 days |
| EB-3 Other Workers | Aug 1, 2009 | no change |
| EB-4 (Special Immigrants) | Current (C) | — |
| EB-5 (Investor, Unreserved) | Jun 15, 2014 | ▼ -320 days |
What changed this month for China (mainland-born)
Compared with the previous verified bulletin, the China (mainland-born) employment cutoffs moved as follows: Retrogressed: EB-2 (Advanced Degree / NIW), EB-3 (Skilled / Professional), EB-5 (Investor, Unreserved). No change: EB-3 Other Workers.
An advancing cutoff means more China (mainland-born) applicants became eligible to file or proceed that month; a retrogressing cutoff pulls the eligibility line backward, so anyone with a priority date between the old and new dates must keep waiting. Because employment cutoffs can move several weeks in either direction month to month, the safest planning step is to watch your specific category's trend (links below) rather than react to a single month.
How these cutoffs are sourced and verified
Each Final Action Date on this page is transcribed verbatim from the U.S. Department of State monthly Visa Bulletin. Visafig re-checks every bulletin against the official DOS release and publishes only values that are confirmed — we do not estimate, forecast, or interpolate a cutoff. "C" (Current) and "U" (Unavailable) are reproduced exactly as published. The Visa Bulletin is the authoritative source that governs employment-based and family-based green-card timing for every chargeability area, including China (mainland-born).
Track this category over time
EB-1 (Priority Workers)
China (mainland-born) EB1 cutoff trend and reverse-planning.
View tracker →EB-2 (Advanced Degree / NIW)
China (mainland-born) EB2 cutoff trend and reverse-planning.
View tracker →EB-3 (Skilled / Professional)
China (mainland-born) EB3 cutoff trend and reverse-planning.
View tracker →EB-3 Other Workers
China (mainland-born) EB3OW cutoff trend and reverse-planning.
View tracker →EB-4 (Special Immigrants)
China (mainland-born) EB4 cutoff trend and reverse-planning.
View tracker →EB-5 (Investor, Unreserved)
China (mainland-born) EB5 cutoff trend and reverse-planning.
View tracker →Frequently Asked Questions
What were the October 2016 employment cutoffs for China (mainland-born)?
The Final Action Dates for China (mainland-born) in October 2016 are listed in the table below, reproduced verbatim from the U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin. Cutoffs marked “Current (C)” mean all priority dates are eligible; “Unavailable (U)” means no numbers may be granted that month for that category and chargeability.
How do I read the movement column?
The movement column compares this month's cutoff with the previous verified month for the same category and chargeability. A positive number (▲) means the cutoff advanced — more priority dates became eligible; a negative number (▼) means retrogression — some applicants who were eligible slipped back; “no change” means the date held steady.
What does an advancing or retrogressing cutoff mean for my case?
When a cutoff advances, applicants with a priority date earlier than the new cutoff can move forward with adjustment of status or immigrant-visa processing. When it retrogresses, only applicants with a priority date earlier than the revised (earlier) cutoff may proceed — anyone between the old and new dates must wait. Track your specific category above and use the Visa Bulletin Calculator to test your priority date against this month's cutoff.
Where does this data come from and how is it verified?
Every cutoff on this page is transcribed verbatim from the U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin Final Action Dates chart for the employment-based categories. Visafig re-verifies each monthly bulletin against the official DOS release and never estimates or interpolates a cutoff. The Visa Bulletin is published monthly by the Department of State and drives all employment-based and family-based green-card timing.