The July visa bulletin reflects important movement in several preference classifications. EB-1 Priority Workers for All Chargeability areas, El Salvador/Guatemala/Honduras, Mexico, Philippines and Vietnam remains at April 22, 2018. EB-1 China advances 2 weeks to May 8, 2017, while EB-1 India has no progress and holds at January 1, 2015. DOS expects EB-1 India to return to at least February 22, 2017 for the beginning of the next fiscal year 2020. EB-2 “Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability” for China continues its steady progression by moving 3 months to November 1, 2016, while EB-2 India continues its very slow movement by advancing 5 days to April 24, 2009. EB-3 “Professionals/Skilled Workers” for the Philippines moves to Current after having a cut-off date of November 1, 2018 last month. EB-3 China advances 3 ½ months to January 1, 2016, while EB-3 India remains at July 1, 2009.
The DOS advises that demand for employment-based adjustment of status applicants has steadily increased in the recent weeks; so either corrective action will be required in the coming months or there will be no forward movement in certain preference categories.
Continue monitoring the monthly Visa Bulletin for further developments.