EB-3 Other Workers Visa Bulletin History: From Current to Retrogression (2021–2026)
EB-3 Other Workers (EW-3) was Current through May 2022, then entered retrogression. Here's the complete Final Action Date history and what the current February 2022 date means for your case.
The Visa Bulletin movement for EB-3 Other Workers tells the story of a category that was fully open, hit a wall, and has been slowly climbing back ever since. Understanding this history helps you predict where the date is likely to go next — and what your Priority Date means in practical terms.
The 10,000 visa annual cap
EB-3 Other Workers is limited to a maximum of 10,000 immigrant visas per fiscal year (October 1 through September 30). This is not 10,000 per country — it is 10,000 globally across all nationalities. When demand exceeds that number, the State Department sets a cutoff date in the Visa Bulletin to pace the issuance rate.
When the date is C (Current): every applicant with an approved I-140 can move forward regardless of their Priority Date.
When a specific date appears: only applicants whose Priority Date is earlier than that date can proceed to interview scheduling.
When the date shows U (Unauthorized): the annual cap has been fully used. No new visas can be issued until the new fiscal year begins.
Complete Other Workers Visa Bulletin history
FY2022 (Oct 2021 – Sep 2022)
The category was Current (C) from October 2021 through the May 2022 bulletin. The June 2022 bulletin was the first to impose a cutoff date, setting it at May 8, 2019. This was the beginning of the retrogression that continues today.
FY2023 (Oct 2022 – Sep 2023)
The October 2022 bulletin advanced the date to June 1, 2020. The February 2023 bulletin retrogressed sharply to January 1, 2020, where it largely held through September 2023.
FY2024 (Oct 2023 – Sep 2024)
Slow but consistent progress. The date moved from August 1, 2020 in October 2023 to January 1, 2021 by July 2024, then retrogressed to December 1, 2020 in September 2024.
FY2025 (Oct 2024 – Sep 2025)
More steady movement. From December 1, 2020 in October 2024, the date advanced month by month, reaching July 8, 2021 by July 2025.
FY2026 (Oct 2025 – present)
Continued progress. The date moved from July 15, 2021 in October 2025 to the current February 1, 2022 in June 2026 — the furthest the date has advanced since retrogression began in 2022.
What this means for applicants today
If your PERM Priority Date is before February 1, 2022: your date is current or close to current. You are in the final stretch — NVC processing, interview scheduling, or already through the consulate.
If your PERM Priority Date is between February 2022 and late 2024: you are waiting for the date to advance. Based on the pace of recent months (roughly 1 to 3 months of advancement per Visa Bulletin update), the date will likely reach 2023–2024 Priority Dates within the next 1 to 2 years — but this is projection, not a guarantee. Fiscal year resets in October often bring larger jumps.
If your PERM Priority Date is 2025 or later: you have the PERM queue wait ahead of you before the Visa Bulletin question even becomes relevant.
Track the current Other Workers Final Action Date and its historical movement at permqueue.com/visa-bulletin.