November Visa Bulletin: Major retrogression for Eb-2 India

In November, Employment-Based 2nd Preference (EB-2) India retrogresses more than four (4) years to Feb. 15, 2005.  Although retrogression has been predicted by the State Department, the extent of retrogression is still significant.  Since the October Visa Bulletin is still effective through October 31, Indian nationals with current priority dates in October should file their I-485 applications as soon as possible to secure their employment authorization document and travel document.  It is unlikely, however, that they will receive their green cards any time soon.  EB-3 India moves forward by one week to November 22, 2003.


Other employment-based categories have advanced. For example, EB-2 China advances by three (3) weeks to December 8, 2009; EB-3 China, Philippines, Mexico and Other Countries all move forward by eight (8) months, after October's six-month advancement.  It is interesting to note that China's EB-3 has caught up with its EB-2 category again.  

Family-based preference categories have generally enjoyed some small movements in November.  For example, F2A moves forward by one (1) month for China, India, Philippines, and Other Countries.  F2B advanced two (2) months for China, India and Other Countries to January 1, 2008.  

FAMILY	Other Countries	China	India	Mexico	Philippines
F1	06/08/07	06/08/07	06/08/07	06/08/94	11/01/04
F2A	03/01/13	03/01/13	03/01/13	09/22/12	03/01/13
F2B	01/01/08	01/01/08	01/01/08	09/08/94	01/01/04
F3	12/08/03	12/08/03	12/08/03	11/01/93	06/08/93
F4	02/08/02	02/08/02	02/08/02	02/15/97	05/01/91

1st: Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Citizens (about 23,000 per year).

2A: The 2 "A" preference is for Spouses and Children (under 21 & unmarried) of LPR's.

2B: The 2 "B" Preference is for Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 or older) of LPR's.

3rd: Married Sons and Daughters of Citizens.(about 23,000 per year)

4th: Brothers and Sisters of Adult Citizens.(about 65,000 per year)

EMPLOYMENT	Other Countries	China	India	Mexico	Philippines
EB1	C	C	C	C	C
EB2	C	12/08/09	02/18/05	C	C
EB3	06/01/12	01/01/10	11/22/03	06/01/12	06/01/12
Other Workers	06/01/12	07/22/05	11/22/03	06/01/12	06/01/12
EB4	C	C	C	C	C
EB5	C	C	C	C	C

1st: Priority Workers (Extraordinary ability aliens, multinational companies executives/managers, outstanding prof./researchers)

2nd: Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability.

3rd: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers (Unskilled.)

4th: "Special Immigrants" (Religious & others)

5th: Employment Creation (Investors)