The August 2017 Visa Bulletin was recently released. Most notably, EB3 for all countries except China, India, and the Philippines is current for the first time since July 2007! If you are eligible to file your adjustment of status, you can go ahead and file it. If you need help, feel free to contact us at [email protected].
Additionally, EB2 temporarily retrogressed to April 1, 2015 for all countries except China, India, and the Philippines. It will become current again on October 1, 2017.
Please also note that for the past two months USCIS has issued releases about 1 week after the release of the Visa Bulletin stating that the final action date should be used for filing family-sponsored and employment-based petitions rather than the filing date listed on the Visa Bulletin. [Updated 7/18/17: USCIS has issued a release stating that the final action date should be used as the filing date for all family-sponsored and employment-based petitions in August 2017].
August 2017
For all countries except India, China, Philippines, and Mexico: F2A category priority date advances 14 days to 22 September 2015, F2B preference remains at a PD of 1 November 2010, F4 category stays at 8 May 2004 PD; EB2 retrogresses to a priority date of 1 April 2015, and EB3 is current.
For India only: F2A category advances 14 days with the priority date at 8 September 2015, F2B preference remains at a PD of 1 November 2010, F4 remains at a PD of 22 September 2003; EB1 stays at 1 January 2012, EB2 remains at a PD of 22 July 2008, EB3 advances 150 days to a PD of 15 July 2006.
For China Only: EB1 previously retrogressed to 1 January 2012; EB2 advances 31 days to 22 April 2013; EB3 previously retrogressed to 1 January 2012; Non-Regional Center and Regional Center advances 7 days to a PD of 15 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
EB1 is current for all countries; EB2 and 3 All Countries except India, China, and the Philippines are current; EB2 India remains at 1 February 2009; EB3 India advances to 1 January 2007 EB2 China remains at 1 October 2013; EB3 China remains at 1 September 2015; EB5 China (RC and non-RC) remains at 1 September 2014
*If you have any questions or comments, you are welcome to get in touch with us. Please email us at [email protected]
**Copyright 2017 by Watson Immigration Law. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Notes copied from the Department of State regarding Visa availability:
D. OVERSUBSCRIPTION OF EMPLOYMENT-BASED SECOND
PREFERENCE CATEGORY
WORLDWIDE, EL SALVADOR, GUATEMALA, HONDURAS, MEXICO, AND PHILIPPINES Employment-based Second (E2) Preference category: Readers were advised in item D of the May Visa Bulletin number 6, that it was likely that a date would be imposed at some point. High demand for numbers for USCIS adjustment of status applicants has required the establishment of a date for August. This action will allow number use to be held within the Worldwide E2 annual limit.
The E2 date for these countries will once again become CURRENT for October, the first month of fiscal year 2018.