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December 2015 Visa Bulletin Commentary

The December 2015 Visa Bulletin was out today. Highlighting that EB2 India moved forward 10 months (for final green card processing).

For all countries except India, China, Philippines, and Mexico: F2A category advances 31 days to priority date at 15 June 2014, 22 days movement forward in F2B preference with PD at 22 of March 2009; F4 category advanced 21 days to PD at 22 March 2003; EB2 is current and, and EB3 advances 16 days to PD of 1 September 2015.

For India only: F2A category advances 31 days to priority date at 15 June 2014, 22 days movement forward in F2B preference with PD at 22 of March 2009; F4 category advanced 21 days to PD at 22 March 2003; EB2 advances 1o months and 1 day to PD at 1 June 2007; EB3 progresses by 21 days taking PD to 22 April 2004.

EB5 China-22 Sep 2013 Non-Reginal Center moves 24 days to PD of 15 December 2013, and RC PD is 15 December 2013.

Can file your immigrant applications if PD before:

F2A 01 March 2015; F2B 01 July 2010; F4 01 February 2004 for both All Areas and India (Same as October 2015 )

EB3 All Countries 1 September 2015 (same as October and November non -revised); EB2 India remains at 1 July 2009 (retrogress after revised October bulletin originally at 1 July 2011; EB3 India remains at 1 July 2005.

Note from DOS re. upcoming visa unavailability:

D.  SCHEDULED EXPIRATION OF TWO EMPLOYMENT
VISA CATEGORIES

Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR): Pursuant to Section 132 of Public Law 114-53, the non-minister special immigrant program expires on December 11, 2015. No SR visas may be issued overseas, or final action taken on adjustment of status cases, after midnight December 10, 2015. Visas issued prior to this date will only be issued with a validity date of December 10, 2015, and all individuals seeking admission as a non-minister special immigrant must be admitted (repeat, admitted) into the U.S. no later than midnight December 10, 2015.

Employment Fifth Preference Categories (I5 and R5): Section 133 of Public Law 114-53 extended this immigrant investor pilot program through December 11, 2015. The I5 and R5 visas may be issued until close of business on December 11, 2015, and may be issued for the full validity period. No I5 or R5 visas may be issued overseas, or final action taken on adjustment of status cases, after December 11, 2015.

Congress is currently considering an extension of the SR, I5 and R5 visa categories, but there is no certainty when such legislative action may occur. If there is no legislative action extending one of both of these categories, those cut-off dates would immediately become “Unavailable” effective December 12, 2015.