The December 2018 visa bulletin was released yesterday. It made for very disappointing reading as EB1 did not become ‘current’ as we were anticipating. The visa bulletin has never been more important than now, when most immigration policy changes with USCIS are impacting many people who are ‘almost’ getting their green cards in hand. We have several clients who have had interviews and are awaiting the issuance of the green card, and we have clients who are ready to file the adjustment applications yet every month, we frustratingly have to wait for the next bulletin.
If you are someone who is waiting, we understand the concerns. Keep in close communication with your lawyers, if you have one. Maintain your underlying status, if you can. And get in touch with us, if you have questions. We will be doing a series of podcasts soon to talk about some of these pressing issues resulting from recent changes. So, please do sign up to this blog, our Itunes podcast and to our Facebook page for Tahmina Talks Immigration.
And note that Special Immigrant Religious Visas and EB5 regional center visas have been extended by Congress only until December 7th and that is reflected in this bulletin.
Thanks for reading and below is our usual commentary:
December 2018
For all countries except India, China, Philippines, and Mexico: F2A category priority date advances 22 days to 8 October 2016, F2B preference advances 45 days to a PD of 15 February 201, F4 category advances 31 days to 22 April 2005; EB1 advances 91 days to 1 July 2017; EB2 remains current; and EB3 remains current.
For India only: F2A category advances 23 days to a priority date of 8 October 2016, F2B preference advances 45 days to 15 February 2012, F4 advances 7 days to a PD of 8 June 2004; EB1 advances 92 days to a PD of 1 September 2016; EB2 advances 6 days to 1 April 2009; EB3 advances 59 days to a PD of 1 March 2009.
For China only: EB1 advances 92 days to a PD of 1 September 2016; EB2 advances 47 days to a PD of 1 July 2015; EB3 advances 7 days to a PD of 8 June 2015; EB5 Non-Regional Center and Regional Center advance 7 days to a PD of 22 August 2014.
For Vietnam only: EB5 Non-Regional Center and Regional Center advances 90 days to a PD of 1 May 2016.
Can file your immigrant applications if PD before:
F2A 1 December 2017; F2B 22 March 2014 for All Areas, except 1 August 1997 for Mexico and 15 December 2007 for Philippines; F4 1 February 2006 for All Areas, except 1 January 2005 for India, 15 September 1998 for Mexico, and 22 April 1997 for Philippines.
EB1 1 June 2018 for all countries, except 1 October 2017 for China and India; EB2 All countries except India and China are current; EB3 All countries except India, China, and Philippines are current; EB2 India remains at 22 May 2009; EB3 India advances 92 days to 1 January 2010; EB2 China advances 85 days to 8 September 2015; EB3 China advances 115 days to 1 December 2015; EB5 China (RC and Non-RC) remains at 1 October 2014; Vietnam is not individually listed and should use the all countries category.