EB-2 vs EB-3 for India and China: which line moved faster?
Final action dates, October 2015 to October 2026
Where are the two lines now?
India EB-2
Nov 1, 2013
India EB-3
Jan 1, 2014
China EB-2
Oct 1, 2021
China EB-3
Jan 8, 2022
Final action dates in the October 2026 bulletin. India: EB-3 ahead by 2.0 months. China: EB-3 ahead by 3.3 months.
India: how did EB-2 and EB-3 compare?
- 1EB-3 ahead: 61 of 130 bulletins (47%).
- 2EB-2 ahead: 67 bulletins (52%); the same date in 2 bulletins.
October cutoffs by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | EB-2 India | EB-3 India | Ahead (months) |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY2016 | May 1, 2005 | Mar 8, 2004 | EB-2 +13.8 |
| FY2017 | Jan 15, 2007 | Mar 1, 2005 | EB-2 +22.5 |
| FY2018 | Sep 15, 2008 | Oct 15, 2006 | EB-2 +23.0 |
| FY2019 | Mar 26, 2009 | Jan 1, 2009 | EB-2 +2.8 |
| FY2020 | May 12, 2009 | Jan 1, 2009 | EB-2 +4.3 |
| FY2021 | Sep 1, 2009 | Jan 15, 2010 | EB-3 +4.5 |
| FY2022 | Sep 1, 2011 | Jan 1, 2014 | EB-3 +28.0 |
| FY2023 | Apr 1, 2012 | Apr 1, 2012 | same |
| FY2024 | Jan 1, 2012 | May 1, 2012 | EB-3 +4.0 |
| FY2025 | Jul 15, 2012 | Nov 1, 2012 | EB-3 +3.6 |
| FY2026 | Apr 1, 2013 | Aug 22, 2013 | EB-3 +4.7 |
| FY2027 | Nov 1, 2013 | Jan 1, 2014 | EB-3 +2.0 |
China: how did EB-2 and EB-3 compare?
- 1EB-3 ahead: 77 of 133 bulletins (58%).
- 2EB-2 ahead: 52 bulletins (39%); the same date in 4 bulletins.
October cutoffs by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | EB-2 China | EB-3 China | Ahead (months) |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY2016 | Jan 1, 2012 | Oct 15, 2011 | EB-2 +2.6 |
| FY2017 | Feb 15, 2012 | Jan 22, 2013 | EB-3 +11.2 |
| FY2018 | May 22, 2013 | Jan 1, 2014 | EB-3 +7.4 |
| FY2019 | Apr 1, 2015 | Jun 1, 2015 | EB-3 +2.0 |
| FY2020 | Jan 1, 2015 | Nov 1, 2015 | EB-3 +10.0 |
| FY2021 | Mar 1, 2016 | Jul 1, 2017 | EB-3 +16.0 |
| FY2022 | Jul 1, 2018 | Jan 8, 2019 | EB-3 +6.3 |
| FY2023 | Jun 8, 2019 | Jun 15, 2018 | EB-2 +11.8 |
| FY2024 | Oct 1, 2019 | Jan 1, 2020 | EB-3 +3.0 |
| FY2025 | Mar 22, 2020 | Apr 1, 2020 | EB-3 +0.3 |
| FY2026 | Apr 1, 2021 | Mar 1, 2021 | EB-2 +1.0 |
| FY2027 | Oct 1, 2021 | Jan 8, 2022 | EB-3 +3.3 |
How many petitions wait in each line?
Approved petitions waiting for a visa number, as of June 2026 (USCIS). A longer line behind the cutoff usually means slower movement, but the annual limits and demand from other countries matter too.
| Country | EB-2 | EB-3 |
|---|---|---|
| India | 356,360 | 106,214 |
| China | 34,936 | 11,070 |
What is a downgrade?
A "downgrade" means the employer files a new Form I-140 for the same person in EB-3. Under 8 CFR 204.5(e), the priority date of an approved I-140 can generally be kept for a later EB-1, EB-2 or EB-3 petition, unless the approval was revoked for reasons such as fraud or a material error. Whether the EB-3 line would be faster for a given priority date changes month to month, as the tables above show. This is not legal advice.
FAQ
Is EB-3 faster than EB-2 for India?
It has been at times. In the 130 bulletins since October 2015 where both had a date, EB-3 India had the later (more advanced) final action date in 61 (47%). In October 2026: EB-3 ahead by 2.0 months. The lead has switched back and forth, so a single month says little.
Is EB-3 faster than EB-2 for China?
In 77 of 133 bulletins (58%) EB-3 China was ahead of EB-2 China. In October 2026: EB-3 ahead by 3.3 months.
What does an EB-2 to EB-3 downgrade mean?
Filing a new Form I-140 in the EB-3 category for the same person. Under 8 CFR 204.5(e), the priority date of an approved I-140 can generally be used for a later EB-1, EB-2 or EB-3 petition, unless the approval was revoked for certain reasons such as fraud. Whether it makes sense depends on the case; this site does not give legal advice.
Sources
- U.S. Department of State, Visa Bulletin · every monthly bulletin since October 2015
- USCIS, approved employment-based petitions awaiting visa availability · as of June 2026
- 8 CFR 204.5(e), priority date (eCFR)
More guides
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This guide reports published government data and rules; it is not legal advice and does not predict future movement. Terms.