The July 2013 visa bulletin was released on Friday. 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 123 days to priority date (PD) 8 Oct 2011. F2B preference advanced 117 days with PD at 1 Nov. 2005; finally slight movement in F4 category of 21 days leaving PD at 22 May 2001; EB2 is current and, and EB3 advances 123 days to 1 January 2009.
For India only: F2A preference has advanced 123 days to priority date (PD) 8 Oct 2011. F2B preference advanced 117 days with PD at 1 Nov. 2005; finally slight movement in F4 category of 21 days leaving PD at 22 May 2001; Still no movement in EB2 leaving PD at 1 September 2004. EB3 advances 15 days to 22 January 2003.
The Visa Bulletin provides an estimate of what to expect in the coming months. There appears to be considerable movement, particularly in view of the July advancements as well as all the recent advancements. If your visa is available, best not to waste time!
We will be sure to update you on the August 2013 visa bulletin when it becomes available.
D. VISA AVAILABILITY IN THE COMING MONTHS (August – October)
FAMILY-sponsored categories (potential monthly movement)
Worldwide dates:
F1: Up to five weeks
F2A: Could become “Current” at some point during the coming months.
F2B: Four to seven weeks
F3: Three to five weeks
F4: Three to five weeks
EMPLOYMENT-based categories (potential monthly movement)
Employment First: Current
Employment Second:
Worldwide: Current
China: Up to two months
| India: | At this time it appears that the availability of “otherwise unused” Employment Second preference numbers will allow for movement of this cut-off date in August and/or September. It is expected that such movement will generate heavy new applicant demand, primarily by those who are upgrading their status from the Employment Third preference category. A sustained level of heavy demand could impact the cut-off date at some point during fiscal year 2014. |
Employment Third:
| Worldwide: | No additional movement. This cut-off date has advanced 18 months during the past three months. Such rapid movement can be expected to generate a significant amount of new demand, with the impact not being felt for three to five months. Therefore, the cut-off date will be held until it can be determined what level of demand is to be expected, and whether it is likely to be sustained. |
China: No additional movement
India: Up to three weeks
Mexico: No additional movement
Philippines: Up to two weeks
Employment Fourth: Current
Employment Fifth: Current
The above projections for the Family and Employment categories are for what is likely to happen during each of the next few months based on current applicant demand patterns. Readers should never assume that recent trends in cut-off date movements are guaranteed for the future, or that “corrective” action will not be required at some point in an effort to maintain number use within the applicable annual limits. The determination of the actual monthly cut-off dates is subject to fluctuations in applicant demand and a number of other variables. Unless indicated, those categories with a “Current” projection will remain so for the foreseeable future.