July 2017 Visa Bulletin: EB-3 China Retrogresses 2.5 Years

As predicted previously, EB-3 China finally retrogresses for about 2.5 years after having been ahead of EB-2 for many months.  "Downgrade applications" from EB-2 has contributed to this sharp turn. However, the State Department predicts retrogression will be reversed in October 2017.  

On the other hand, EB-3 India has a nice forward movement of 9 months to 02/15/2006.

EB-1 India and China continued to have a cutoff date of 01/01/2012.

The State Department reports that cutoff dates will likely be introduced for several EB-2 categories: Mexico, Philippines and Other Countries.   It is important for eligible applicants in these categories to file their adjustment of status applications in June or July before any retrogression happens.  For examples, if they have an approved I-140 petition, they may submit their I-485 applications now.  Or if their labor applications have been certified, they may also submit the I-140 and I-485 applications together. 

Family immigration categories have some moderate forward movements.  FB-1 Mexico and Philippines move forward by about 4-5 months.

See here for how to apply for Adjustment of Status.

AD: Dates for Final Action (Approval)

FD : Dates for Filing Applications

FAMILY		Other Countries	China	India	Mexico	Philippines
F1	AD	12/22/2010	12/22/2010	12/22/2010	01/15/1996	09/15/2006
	FD	07/22/2011	07/22/2011	07/22/2011	04/01/1996	09/08/2007
F2A	AD	09/08/2015	09/08/2015	09/08/2015	08/22/2015	09/08/2015
	FD	04/08/2016	04/08/2016	04/08/2016	04/08/2016	04/08/2016
F2B	AD	11/01/2010	11/01/2010	11/01/2010	06/01/1996	11/01/2006
	FD	09/1/2011	09/01/2011	09/01/2011	08/08/1996	07/22/2007
F3	AD	07/08/2005	07/08/2005	07/08/2005	03/22/1995	12/15/1994
	FD	12/01/2005	12/01/2005	12/01/2005	05/01/1995	02/01/1995
F4	AD	05/08/2004	05/08/2004	09/22/2003	08/01/1997	02/15/1994
	FD	11/15/2004	11/15/2004	06/22/2004	01/08/1998	02/08/1995

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	El Salvador Guatemala Honduras	India	Mexico	Philippines
EB1	AD	C	01/01/2012	C	01/01/2012	C	C
	FD	C	C	N/A	C	C	C
EB2	AD	C	03/22/2013	C	07/22/2008	C	C
	FD	C	10/01/2013	N/A	02/01/2009	C	C
EB3	AD	06/08/2017	01/01/2012	06/08/2017	02/15/2006	06/08/2017	05/15/2014
	FD	C	09/01/2015	N/A	10/01/2006	C	07/01/2015
Other Workers	AD	06/08/2017	07/15/2006	06/08/2017	02/15/2006	06/08/2017	05/15/2014
	FD	C	06/01/2008	N/A	10/01/2006	C	07/01/2015
EB4	AD	C	C	08/15/2015	08/15/2015	08/15/2015	C
	FD	C	C	N/A	C	C	C
EB5	AD	C	06/08/2014	C	C	C	C
	FD	C	09/01/2014	N/A	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)