The July 2017 Visa Bulletin was recently released. Most notably, the EB3 category sees major movement. EB3 for all countries except India, China, Philippines, and Mexico advances 54 days to a priority date of June 8, 2017. The 23 day wait time is the shortest wait time seen in this category since September 2015 when the wait time was 16 days. The EB3 category was last current in July 2007. Furthermore, EB3 India advances 276 days to a priority date of February 15, 2006.
July 2017
For all countries except India, China, Philippines, and Mexico: F2A category priority date advances 24 days to 8 September 2015, 10 days’ movement forward in F2B preference with PD at 1 November 2010, F4 category stays at 8 May 2004 PD; EB2 is current, and EB3 advances 54 days to a PD of 8 June 2017.
For India only: F2A category advances 24 days with the priority date at 8 September 2015, 10 days’ movement forward in F2B preference with PD at 1 November 2010, F4 advances 7 days to PD of 22 September 2003; EB1 stays at 1 January 2012, EB2 advances 21 days to a PD of 22 July 2008, EB3 advances 276 days to a PD of 15 February 2006.
EB5 China- Non-Regional Center and Regional Center remain at a PD of 8 June 2014.
Can file your immigrant applications if PD before:
F2A 8 April 2016; F2B 1 September 2011; F4 15 November 2004 for All Areas except India, China, Philippines, and Mexico and 22 June 2004 for India
EB2 and 3 All Countries except India, China, and the Philippines are current; EB1 India is current; EB2 India remains at 1 February 2009; EB3 India advances 162 days to 1 October 2006.
EB5 China (RC and non RC) –1 September 2014
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Notes copied from the Department of State regarding Visa availability:
D. OVERSUBSCRIPTION OF EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE
CATEGORIES
CHINA Employment-based Third (E3) preference category: Readers were advised in item F of the June Visa Bulletin number 6, that it would be necessary to impose a date no later than August. The continued high level of demand for E3 numbers for USCIS adjustment of status applicants has required the establishment of a date for July. This has been done in an attempt to hold number use within the China E3 annual limit. The China E3 date will return to October 1, 2014 for October, the first month of fiscal year 2018.
INDIA Employment-based Fourth (E4) AND Certain Religious Workers (SR) preference categories: As readers were advised in the June Visa Bulletin number 6, there has been extremely high demand in the E4 and SR categories. Pursuant to the Immigration and Nationality Act, it has been necessary to impose E4 and SR Final Action Dates for India, which has reached its per-country limit. This action will allow the Department to hold worldwide number use within the maximum allowed under the FY-2017 annual limits.
The date for these preferences will once again become CURRENT for October, the first month of fiscal year 2018.