The July 2012 visa bulletin was released today. Here’s the pertinent information most of my readers are looking for:
For all countries except India, China, Philippines, and Mexico: F2A preference has advanced 46 days to priority date (PD) 15 February 2010 and F2B preference has advanced 17 days to 1 May 2004; F4 moves forward15 days to 22 January 2001; EB2 RETROGRESSES 2 YEARS 8 MONTHS AND 28 DAYS (OMG!) to 1 January 2009, and EB3 advances 46 days to 22 July 2006.
For India only: F2A advances 46 days to PD 15 February 2010 and F2B advances 17 days to 1 May 2004; F4 advances 15 days to 22 January 2001; EB2 remains unavailable and and EB3 advances 8 days to 22 September 2002.
It is unfortunate that worldwide EB2 preference has retrogresses. We will continue to post news as it becomes available and of course when the August 2012 visa is released. Below is what the DOS has stated about the retrogression:
D. EMPLOYMENT SECOND PREFERENCE VISA AVAILABILITY
Continued heavy demand for numbers in the Employment Second preference category has required the establishment of a Worldwide cut-off date for the month of July. This action has been taken in an effort to hold number use within the annual numerical limit. Should there be an increase in the current demand pattern, it may be necessary to make this category completely “unavailable” prior to September 30, 2012.
The China and India Employment Second preference categories are already “unavailable”, and will remain so for the remainder of the fiscal year.