Published on November 2, 2018
Other than significant movement for EB-2 China, the November Visa Bulletin remains largely consistent with the October Visa Bulletin. Continuing USCIS’s announcement in October, the Service is accepting I-485 adjustment of status applications based on filing dates. However, the application’s priority date must be current at the time of the examination before USCIS will make a determination on the petition application.
EB-1 Worldwide, China, and India remains consistently backlogged as of the August Visa Bulletin. The November priority date for EB-1 Worldwide is June 1, 2018 with EB-1 China and EB-1 India having a priority date of October 1, 2017. There might be some forward movement in December; though the Department of State’s Charlie Oppenheim indicates it is highly unlikely the category will become current any time soon.
EB-2 China has a current priority date of May 15, 2015, over a month of forward movement from the October Visa Bulletin. Predictions suggest that EB-2 China will move forward in future months. Conversely, EB-2 India has significant demand and limited movement with a priority date of May 22, 2009. All other EB-2 categories are current.
EB-3 China remains steady due to significant demand, with a priority date of August 8, 2015. There is the possibility of EB-2 China surpassing EB-3 China. Conversely, EB-3 India applicants should see advancements due to lighter than usual demand, with the current priority date as May 22, 2009. EB-3 Philippines has a priority date of July 1, 2017. All other EB-3 categories are current.
The Service will adjudicate EB-5 China petitions with a priority date of October 1, 2014 or earlier. EB-5 Vietnam is also seeing a growing number of petitions and if it reaches the per country limit, the priority dates will likely track the EB-5 priority date for China. All other EB-5 categories are current.
Jen Chen can be reached at [email protected].
Cody Nunn can be reached at [email protected]
Joel Paget can be reached at [email protected].
Marsha Mavunkel can be reached at [email protected].
Janet Cheetham can be reached at [email protected].
Amy Royalty can be reached at [email protected].
