Visa Bulletin Tracker

EB-3 China priority date: cut-off history, movement and forecast

As of the October 2026 Visa Bulletin, the EB-3 China Final Action Date is 8 Jan 2022, which lags the bulletin month by about 4.7 years. Over the last 12 bulletins it moved an average of 26 days per month (0.86 months of priority date per calendar month), so on pure arithmetic the backlog age is growing. Since October 2015 it has retrogressed in 6 bulletins; the largest move back was 1,322 days in June 2016.

8 Jan 2022Final Action Date, Oct 2026
1 Apr 2024Date for Filing, Oct 2026
4.7 yearscut-off lags bulletin month
+26 d/moavg. movement, last 12 bulletins

Chart: where the cut-off has been

EB-3 China: Final Action Date and Date for Filing, last 10 yearsLine chart of the cut-off date by bulletin month from November 2016 to October 2026. The dashed diagonal marks a cut-off equal to the bulletin month, i.e. no wait. Latest Final Action Date: 8 Jan 2022.2012201420162018202020222024202620182020202220242026Priority-date cut-offBulletin monthForecast range (80%)Final Action Date 2016-11: 15 Apr 2013Final Action Date 2016-12: 1 Jul 2013Final Action Date 2017-01: 8 Sep 2013Final Action Date 2017-02: 1 Oct 2013Final Action Date 2017-03: 15 Mar 2014Final Action Date 2017-04: 15 Aug 2014Final Action Date 2017-05: 1 Oct 2014Final Action Date 2017-07: 1 Jan 2012Final Action Date 2017-10: 1 Jan 2014Final Action Date 2017-11: 1 Feb 2014Final Action Date 2017-12: 8 Mar 2014Final Action Date 2018-01: 15 Apr 2014Final Action Date 2018-02: 15 Sep 2014Final Action Date 2018-03: 15 Nov 2014Final Action Date 2018-04: 1 Jun 2015Final Action Date 2018-07: 1 Jan 2013Final Action Date 2018-08: 1 Jul 2014Final Action Date 2018-09: 1 Nov 2014Final Action Date 2018-10: 1 Jun 2015Final Action Date 2018-12: 8 Jun 2015Final Action Date 2019-02: 1 Jul 2015Final Action Date 2019-03: 8 Jul 2015Final Action Date 2019-04: 1 Aug 2015Final Action Date 2019-05: 22 Aug 2015Final Action Date 2019-06: 15 Sep 2015Final Action Date 2019-07: 1 Jan 2016Final Action Date 2019-08: 1 Jul 2016Final Action Date 2019-09: 1 Jan 2014Final Action Date 2019-10: 1 Nov 2015Final Action Date 2020-01: 1 Dec 2015Final Action Date 2020-02: 1 Jan 2016Final Action Date 2020-03: 22 Mar 2016Final Action Date 2020-04: 15 Apr 2016Final Action Date 2020-05: 15 May 2016Final Action Date 2020-06: 15 Jun 2016Final Action Date 2020-07: 22 Jun 2016Final Action Date 2020-08: 15 Feb 2017Final Action Date 2020-10: 1 Jul 2017Final Action Date 2020-11: 1 Oct 2017Final Action Date 2020-12: 1 Nov 2017Final Action Date 2021-01: 15 Dec 2017Final Action Date 2021-02: 1 Jan 2018Final Action Date 2021-03: 8 Feb 2018Final Action Date 2021-04: 15 Mar 2018Final Action Date 2021-05: 15 May 2018Final Action Date 2021-06: 1 Sep 2018Final Action Date 2021-07: 1 Jan 2019Final Action Date 2021-08: 8 Jan 2019Final Action Date 2021-11: 22 Mar 2018Final Action Date 2022-08: 22 Apr 2018Final Action Date 2022-10: 15 Jun 2018Final Action Date 2022-12: 1 Aug 2018Final Action Date 2023-04: 1 Nov 2018Final Action Date 2023-05: 1 Apr 2019Final Action Date 2023-08: 1 Jun 2019Final Action Date 2023-09: 1 Sep 2019Final Action Date 2023-10: 1 Jan 2020Final Action Date 2023-12: 22 Jan 2020Final Action Date 2024-01: 1 Sep 2020Final Action Date 2024-10: 1 Apr 2020Final Action Date 2025-01: 1 Jun 2020Final Action Date 2025-02: 1 Jul 2020Final Action Date 2025-03: 1 Aug 2020Final Action Date 2025-04: 1 Nov 2020Final Action Date 2025-06: 22 Nov 2020Final Action Date 2025-07: 1 Dec 2020Final Action Date 2025-10: 1 Mar 2021Final Action Date 2025-12: 1 Apr 2021Final Action Date 2026-01: 1 May 2021Final Action Date 2026-04: 15 Jun 2021Final Action Date 2026-06: 1 Aug 2021Final Action Date 2026-07: 22 Dec 2021Final Action Date 2026-08: 1 Jan 2022Final Action Date 2026-10: 8 Jan 2022Date for Filing 2016-11: 1 May 2014Date for Filing 2017-05: 1 Sep 2015Date for Filing 2018-02: 1 Jan 2016Date for Filing 2018-10: 8 Aug 2015Date for Filing 2018-12: 1 Dec 2015Date for Filing 2019-01: 1 Jan 2016Date for Filing 2019-07: 1 Jun 2016Date for Filing 2019-10: 1 Mar 2017Date for Filing 2020-08: 1 May 2017Date for Filing 2020-10: 1 Jun 2018Date for Filing 2021-04: 1 Aug 2018Date for Filing 2021-05: 1 Sep 2018Date for Filing 2021-06: 1 Jan 2019Date for Filing 2021-07: 1 Jul 2019Date for Filing 2021-10: 15 Jan 2019Date for Filing 2021-11: 1 Apr 2018Date for Filing 2022-08: 22 May 2018Date for Filing 2022-10: 15 Jul 2018Date for Filing 2022-12: 1 Sep 2018Date for Filing 2023-04: 1 Feb 2019Date for Filing 2023-05: 1 Jun 2019Date for Filing 2023-08: 1 Sep 2019Date for Filing 2023-09: 1 Nov 2019Date for Filing 2023-10: 1 Sep 2020Date for Filing 2024-01: 1 Jul 2021Date for Filing 2024-10: 15 Nov 2020Date for Filing 2025-06: 22 Dec 2020Date for Filing 2025-10: 1 Jan 2022Date for Filing 2026-08: 8 Jan 2022Date for Filing 2026-10: 1 Apr 2024
Hover or focus points for values. Priority dates below the line are not yet reached; the vertical gap to the dashed diagonal is the backlog age.
EB-3 China: Final Action Date, full historyEB-3 China: Final Action Date, full history since January 2005.20002005201020152020202520052010201520202025Priority-date cut-offBulletin monthFinal Action Date 2005-01: 1 Jan 2002Final Action Date 2005-03: 1 Mar 2002Final Action Date 2005-04: 1 Apr 2002Final Action Date 2005-05: 1 Jun 2002Final Action Date 2005-07: UnavailableFinal Action Date 2005-08: UnavailableFinal Action Date 2005-09: UnavailableFinal Action Date 2005-10: 1 May 2000Final Action Date 2005-12: 1 Jan 2001Final Action Date 2006-01: 1 Apr 2001Final Action Date 2006-02: 22 Apr 2001Final Action Date 2006-03: 1 May 2001Final Action Date 2006-06: 1 Jul 2001Final Action Date 2006-07: 1 Oct 2001Final Action Date 2006-09: 1 Mar 2002Final Action Date 2006-10: 1 May 2002Final Action Date 2006-11: 1 Jul 2002Final Action Date 2006-12: 1 Aug 2002Final Action Date 2007-06: 1 Jun 2003Final Action Date 2007-07: CurrentFinal Action Date 2007-08: UnavailableFinal Action Date 2007-09: UnavailableFinal Action Date 2007-10: 1 Sep 2001Final Action Date 2007-12: 15 Oct 2001Final Action Date 2008-01: 1 Nov 2001Final Action Date 2008-02: 15 Nov 2001Final Action Date 2008-03: 1 Dec 2002Final Action Date 2008-04: 8 Feb 2003Final Action Date 2008-05: 22 Mar 2003Final Action Date 2008-07: UnavailableFinal Action Date 2008-08: UnavailableFinal Action Date 2008-09: UnavailableFinal Action Date 2008-10: 1 Oct 2001Final Action Date 2008-11: 1 Feb 2002Final Action Date 2009-01: 1 Jun 2002Final Action Date 2009-02: 1 Oct 2002Final Action Date 2009-03: 22 Oct 2002Final Action Date 2009-04: 1 Mar 2003Final Action Date 2009-05: UnavailableFinal Action Date 2009-06: UnavailableFinal Action Date 2009-07: UnavailableFinal Action Date 2009-08: UnavailableFinal Action Date 2009-09: UnavailableFinal Action Date 2009-10: 22 Feb 2002Final Action Date 2009-11: 1 Jun 2002Final Action Date 2010-01: 1 Aug 2002Final Action Date 2010-02: 22 Sep 2002Final Action Date 2010-03: 15 Dec 2002Final Action Date 2010-04: 1 Feb 2003Final Action Date 2010-05: 22 Apr 2003Final Action Date 2010-06: 22 Jun 2003Final Action Date 2010-07: 15 Aug 2003Final Action Date 2010-08: 22 Sep 2003Final Action Date 2010-09: 22 Oct 2003Final Action Date 2010-10: 8 Nov 2003Final Action Date 2010-11: 22 Nov 2003Final Action Date 2010-12: 8 Dec 2003Final Action Date 2011-01: 15 Dec 2003Final Action Date 2011-02: 1 Jan 2004Final Action Date 2011-03: 22 Jan 2004Final Action Date 2011-04: 1 Mar 2004Final Action Date 2011-05: 15 Apr 2004Final Action Date 2011-06: 15 May 2004Final Action Date 2011-07: 1 Jul 2004Final Action Date 2011-08: 8 Jul 2004Final Action Date 2011-09: 15 Jul 2004Final Action Date 2011-10: 8 Aug 2004Final Action Date 2011-11: 22 Aug 2004Final Action Date 2011-12: 8 Sep 2004Final Action Date 2012-01: 15 Oct 2004Final Action Date 2012-02: 1 Dec 2004Final Action Date 2012-03: 1 Jan 2005Final Action Date 2012-04: 1 Mar 2005Final Action Date 2012-05: 1 Apr 2005Final Action Date 2012-06: 8 Aug 2005Final Action Date 2012-07: 22 Sep 2005Final Action Date 2012-08: 8 Nov 2005Final Action Date 2012-09: 15 Dec 2005Final Action Date 2012-10: 8 Feb 2006Final Action Date 2012-11: 15 Apr 2006Final Action Date 2012-12: 1 Jul 2006Final Action Date 2013-01: 22 Sep 2006Final Action Date 2013-02: 15 Nov 2006Final Action Date 2013-03: 22 Jan 2007Final Action Date 2013-04: 22 Apr 2007Final Action Date 2013-05: 1 Dec 2007Final Action Date 2013-06: 1 Sep 2008Final Action Date 2013-07: 1 Jan 2009Final Action Date 2013-09: 1 Jul 2010Final Action Date 2013-11: 1 Oct 2010Final Action Date 2013-12: 1 Oct 2011Final Action Date 2014-01: 1 Apr 2012Final Action Date 2014-02: 1 Jun 2012Final Action Date 2014-03: 1 Sep 2012Final Action Date 2014-04: 1 Oct 2012Final Action Date 2014-06: 1 Oct 2006Final Action Date 2014-08: 1 Nov 2008Final Action Date 2014-10: 1 Apr 2009Final Action Date 2014-11: 1 Jan 2010Final Action Date 2014-12: 1 Jun 2010Final Action Date 2015-01: 1 Mar 2011Final Action Date 2015-02: 1 Sep 2011Final Action Date 2015-03: 22 Oct 2011Final Action Date 2015-04: 1 Jan 2011Final Action Date 2015-05: 1 May 2011Final Action Date 2015-06: 1 Sep 2011Final Action Date 2015-08: 1 Jun 2004Final Action Date 2015-09: 22 Dec 2004Final Action Date 2015-10: 15 Oct 2011Final Action Date 2015-11: 1 Jan 2012Final Action Date 2015-12: 15 Apr 2012Final Action Date 2016-01: 1 Jul 2012Final Action Date 2016-02: 1 Oct 2012Final Action Date 2016-03: 1 Jun 2013Final Action Date 2016-04: 15 Aug 2013Final Action Date 2016-06: 1 Jan 2010Final Action Date 2016-10: 22 Jan 2013Final Action Date 2016-11: 15 Apr 2013Final Action Date 2016-12: 1 Jul 2013Final Action Date 2017-01: 8 Sep 2013Final Action Date 2017-02: 1 Oct 2013Final Action Date 2017-03: 15 Mar 2014Final Action Date 2017-04: 15 Aug 2014Final Action Date 2017-05: 1 Oct 2014Final Action Date 2017-07: 1 Jan 2012Final Action Date 2017-10: 1 Jan 2014Final Action Date 2017-11: 1 Feb 2014Final Action Date 2017-12: 8 Mar 2014Final Action Date 2018-01: 15 Apr 2014Final Action Date 2018-02: 15 Sep 2014Final Action Date 2018-03: 15 Nov 2014Final Action Date 2018-04: 1 Jun 2015Final Action Date 2018-07: 1 Jan 2013Final Action Date 2018-08: 1 Jul 2014Final Action Date 2018-09: 1 Nov 2014Final Action Date 2018-10: 1 Jun 2015Final Action Date 2018-12: 8 Jun 2015Final Action Date 2019-02: 1 Jul 2015Final Action Date 2019-03: 8 Jul 2015Final Action Date 2019-04: 1 Aug 2015Final Action Date 2019-05: 22 Aug 2015Final Action Date 2019-06: 15 Sep 2015Final Action Date 2019-07: 1 Jan 2016Final Action Date 2019-08: 1 Jul 2016Final Action Date 2019-09: 1 Jan 2014Final Action Date 2019-10: 1 Nov 2015Final Action Date 2020-01: 1 Dec 2015Final Action Date 2020-02: 1 Jan 2016Final Action Date 2020-03: 22 Mar 2016Final Action Date 2020-04: 15 Apr 2016Final Action Date 2020-05: 15 May 2016Final Action Date 2020-06: 15 Jun 2016Final Action Date 2020-07: 22 Jun 2016Final Action Date 2020-08: 15 Feb 2017Final Action Date 2020-10: 1 Jul 2017Final Action Date 2020-11: 1 Oct 2017Final Action Date 2020-12: 1 Nov 2017Final Action Date 2021-01: 15 Dec 2017Final Action Date 2021-02: 1 Jan 2018Final Action Date 2021-03: 8 Feb 2018Final Action Date 2021-04: 15 Mar 2018Final Action Date 2021-05: 15 May 2018Final Action Date 2021-06: 1 Sep 2018Final Action Date 2021-07: 1 Jan 2019Final Action Date 2021-08: 8 Jan 2019Final Action Date 2021-11: 22 Mar 2018Final Action Date 2022-08: 22 Apr 2018Final Action Date 2022-10: 15 Jun 2018Final Action Date 2022-12: 1 Aug 2018Final Action Date 2023-04: 1 Nov 2018Final Action Date 2023-05: 1 Apr 2019Final Action Date 2023-08: 1 Jun 2019Final Action Date 2023-09: 1 Sep 2019Final Action Date 2023-10: 1 Jan 2020Final Action Date 2023-12: 22 Jan 2020Final Action Date 2024-01: 1 Sep 2020Final Action Date 2024-10: 1 Apr 2020Final Action Date 2025-01: 1 Jun 2020Final Action Date 2025-02: 1 Jul 2020Final Action Date 2025-03: 1 Aug 2020Final Action Date 2025-04: 1 Nov 2020Final Action Date 2025-06: 22 Nov 2020Final Action Date 2025-07: 1 Dec 2020Final Action Date 2025-10: 1 Mar 2021Final Action Date 2025-12: 1 Apr 2021Final Action Date 2026-01: 1 May 2021Final Action Date 2026-04: 15 Jun 2021Final Action Date 2026-06: 1 Aug 2021Final Action Date 2026-07: 22 Dec 2021Final Action Date 2026-08: 1 Jan 2022Final Action Date 2026-10: 8 Jan 2022
Final Action Date since January 2005.

Final Action DateDate for FilingNo wait (cut-off = bulletin month)○ Current   ✕ Unavailable   shaded: forecast range

EB-3 China: days the Final Action Date moved each month, with 12-month averageBars show monthly movement in days (green = advance, red = retrogression); the line is the 12-month average.-240-180-120-6006012018024020182020202220242026Days moved per month2016-11: +832016-12: +772017-01: +692017-02: +232017-03: +1652017-04: +1532017-05: +472017-07: -10042017-10: +7312017-11: +312017-12: +352018-01: +382018-02: +1532018-03: +612018-04: +1982018-07: -8812018-08: +5462018-09: +1232018-10: +2122018-12: +72019-02: +232019-03: +72019-04: +242019-05: +212019-06: +242019-07: +1082019-08: +1822019-09: -9122019-10: +6692020-01: +302020-02: +312020-03: +812020-04: +242020-05: +302020-06: +312020-07: +72020-08: +2382020-10: +1362020-11: +922020-12: +312021-01: +442021-02: +172021-03: +382021-04: +352021-05: +612021-06: +1092021-07: +1222021-08: +72021-11: -2922022-08: +312022-10: +542022-12: +472023-04: +922023-05: +1512023-08: +612023-09: +922023-10: +1222023-12: +212024-01: +2232024-10: -1532025-01: +612025-02: +302025-03: +312025-04: +922025-06: +212025-07: +92025-10: +902025-12: +312026-01: +302026-04: +452026-06: +472026-07: +1432026-08: +102026-10: +7
Green bars: the cut-off advanced; red bars: it retrogressed. Very large moves are clipped at the chart edge.

Forecast for EB-3 China

HorizonCentral estimateLikely range (80%)Bulletin month
3 monthsFeb 2022Dec 2021 – Sep 2022Jan 2027
6 monthsMar 2022Oct 2021 – Apr 2023Apr 2027
12 monthsJun 2022Oct 2021 – Feb 2024Oct 2027

Extrapolates the recent pace with a damping factor of 0.5; the range is the 10th–90th percentile of this method’s past errors across all categories. It is a rough guide, not a prediction, and cannot foresee policy changes. How it works and how accurate it was.

Retrogression and advance history

9 retrogressions since December 2001 (the bulletin data start). Most recent changes of direction or availability:

BulletinEventBeforeAfterMove
Oct 2024Retrogressed1 Sep 20201 Apr 2020−153 d
Nov 2021Retrogressed8 Jan 201922 Mar 2018−292 d
Sep 2019Retrogressed1 Jul 20161 Jan 2014−912 d
Jul 2018Retrogressed1 Jun 20151 Jan 2013−881 d
Jul 2017Retrogressed1 Oct 20141 Jan 2012−1,004 d
Jun 2016Retrogressed15 Aug 20131 Jan 2010−1,322 d
Aug 2015Retrogressed1 Sep 20111 Jun 2004−2,648 d
Apr 2015Retrogressed22 Oct 20111 Jan 2011−294 d
Jun 2014Retrogressed1 Oct 20121 Oct 2006−2,192 d
Oct 2009ReopenedUnavailable22 Feb 2002
May 2009Became Unavailable1 Mar 2003Unavailable
Oct 2008ReopenedUnavailable1 Oct 2001

Fiscal-year view

Fiscal yearFirst bulletin (Oct)Last bulletin (Sep)Net move (days)Retrogression months
FY2027 (to Oct 2026)8 Jan 20228 Jan 2022+00
FY20261 Mar 20211 Jan 2022+3060
FY20251 Apr 20201 Dec 2020+2441
FY20241 Jan 20201 Sep 2020+2440
FY202315 Jun 20181 Sep 2019+4430
FY20228 Jan 201922 Apr 2018-2611
FY20211 Jul 20178 Jan 2019+5560
FY20201 Nov 201515 Feb 2017+4720
FY20191 Jun 20151 Jan 2014-5161
FY20181 Jan 20141 Nov 2014+3041
FY201722 Jan 20131 Jan 2012-3871
FY201615 Oct 20111 Jan 2010-6521

Seasonal pattern

Since October 2015, the largest average advance came in October (+456 days) and the weakest in July (-136 days). Retrogressions were most common in July and June. Fiscal years start in October, so dates often jump at the start of a year and stall or retreat near the end.

JanJan: +52 d+52FebFeb: +34 d+34MarMar: +57 d+57AprApr: +67 d+67MayMay: +28 d+28JunJun: -99 d-99JulJul: -136 d-136AugAug: +98 d+98SepSep: -63 d-63OctOct: +456 d+456NovNov: -1 d-1DecDec: +32 d+32

Recent bulletins

Last 24 bulletins (table)
BulletinFinal Action DateDate for FilingFAD move (days)
Oct 20268 Jan 20221 Apr 2024+7
Sep 20261 Jan 20228 Jan 20220
Aug 20261 Jan 20228 Jan 2022+10
Jul 202622 Dec 20211 Jan 2022+143
Jun 20261 Aug 20211 Jan 2022+47
May 202615 Jun 20211 Jan 20220
Apr 202615 Jun 20211 Jan 2022+45
Mar 20261 May 20211 Jan 20220
Feb 20261 May 20211 Jan 20220
Jan 20261 May 20211 Jan 2022+30
Dec 20251 Apr 20211 Jan 2022+31
Nov 20251 Mar 20211 Jan 20220
Oct 20251 Mar 20211 Jan 2022+90
Sep 20251 Dec 202022 Dec 20200
Aug 20251 Dec 202022 Dec 20200
Jul 20251 Dec 202022 Dec 2020+9
Jun 202522 Nov 202022 Dec 2020+21
May 20251 Nov 202015 Nov 20200
Apr 20251 Nov 202015 Nov 2020+92
Mar 20251 Aug 202015 Nov 2020+31
Feb 20251 Jul 202015 Nov 2020+30
Jan 20251 Jun 202015 Nov 2020+61
Dec 20241 Apr 202015 Nov 20200
Nov 20241 Apr 202015 Nov 20200

About this category

EB-3 is the preference category for: skilled workers, professionals. This is the column for applicants born in mainland China (Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan are charged separately).

Check the priority-date calculator to compare your date, the FAQ for how to read these dates, and the official October 2026 bulletin. Informational only, not legal advice.

EB-3 in other countries: EB-3 Rest of World · EB-3 India · EB-3 Philippines

Other categories for China: EB-1 China · EB-2 China · F4 China