September 2017 DOS Visa Bulletin “Final Action” chart for employment-based preference cases contains some important updates as we head into the last month of the government’s ongoing Fiscal Year (FY2017). Immigrant visa eligibility under the EB-2 “Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability” category for All Chargeability areas, Mexico, El Salvador / Guatemala / Honduras, and the Philippines advances 9 months to a cut-off date of January 1, 2016. The DOS expects these EB-2 categories to become current in October when the new fiscal year begins. EB-2 category visa eligibility for China and India progresses only 3 weeks and 1 month to May 15, 2013 and August 22, 2008, respectively. EB-3 “Skilled Workers / Professionals” for All Chargeability areas, Mexico, and El Salvador / Guatemala / Honduras remains current. EB-3 Philippines advances 5 months to a cut-off date of November 1, 2015 while EB-3 India continues its steady movement by advancing 3 months to October 15, 2006.
Please watch for future posts for the latest updates and contact your immigration counsel with questions and to plan immigration filing based on the Bulletin data.