Visa Bulletin August 2016
July 12, 2016
The August Visa Bulletin indicates in the Application Final Action Dates category EB-1 retrogression for China and India for the first time in several years. In addition, EB-2 worldwide numbers have retrogressed, with no change for China and a slight advancement of 14 days for India. EB-3 shows some advancement for all countries, except China with no change. The August Visa Bulletin projects that in October (the first month of the new fiscal year), both the EB-1 China and India numbers, as well as the worldwide EB-2 numbers, will once again become current.
In the last several months, the USCIS has accepted for filing only the cases with priority dates listed in the Application Final Action Dates. Applicants should check the USCIS website in the next few days to confirm.
“Application Final Action Dates” for Employment-Based Preference Cases August 2016
EB1
- All others still “CURRENT”
- China – retrogresses to January 1, 2010
- India – retrogresses to January 1, 2010
EB2
- All others – retrogresses to February 1, 2014
- China – no change at January 1, 2010
- El Salvador/Guatemala/Honduras – retrogresses to February 1, 2014
- India – advances 2 weeks to November 15, 2004
- Mexico – retrogresses to February 1, 2014
- Philippines – retrogresses to February 1, 2014
EB3
- All others – advances 15 days to March 16, 2016
- China – no change at January 1, 2010
- El Salvador/Guatemala/Honduras – advances 15 days to March 16, 2016
- India – advances 1 month to October 22, 2004
- Mexico – advances 15 days to March 16, 2016
- Philippines – advances 3 months and 15 days to February 15, 2009
“Dates for Filing” for Employment-Based Cases August 2016
EB1
- all still “CURRENT”
EB2
- All others – still “CURRENT”
- China –remains at June 1, 2013
- India – remains at July 1, 2009
- Mexico – still “CURRENT”
- Philippines – still “CURRENT”
EB3
- All others – still “CURRENT”
- China – remains at May 1, 2015
- India – remains July 1, 2005
- Mexico – still “CURRENT”
- Philippines – advances to January 1, 2013
