April 2018 Visa Bulletin: EB-1 Retrogresses / EB-3 Advances

In April 2018's Visa Bulletin, there are several major movements:

1) EB-1 China and India retrogressed more than six (6) years to January 1, 2012 from being "current".  
2) EB-2 China advances 9 months to August 1, 2014.
3) EB-3 China advances 6.5 months to June 1, 2015.
4) EB-3 India advances 13 months to February 1, 2008.
5) EB-3 Philippines advances 8 months to January 1, 2017.
6) EB-4 Religious Workers become unavailable for all countries.
7) EB-5 Regional Center (I5 and R5) become unavailable for all countries.

AD: Dates for Final Action (Approval)  FD : Dates for Filing Applications

Family		Other Countries	China	India	Mexico	Philippines
F1	AD	04/08/2011	04/08/2011	04/08/2011	09/08/1996	01/01/2006
	FD	01/01/2012	01/01/2012	01/01/2012	01/15/1998	10/01/2007
F2A	AD	05/01/2016	05/01/2016	05/01/2016	04/01/2016	05/01/2016
	FD	09/22/2017	09/22/2017	09/22/2017	09/22/2017	09/22/2017
F2B	AD	04/08/2011	04/08/2011	04/08/2011	11/01/1996	11/01/2006
	FD	09/01/2011	09/01/2011	09/01/2011	01/01/1997	09/01/2007
F3	AD	01/08/2006	01/08/2006	01/08/2006	07/08/1995	03/22/1995
	FD	09/01/2006	09/01/2006	09/01/2006	12/15/1997	06/15/1995
F4	AD	09/15/2004	09/15/2004	02/15/2004	12/08/1997	12/15/1994
	FD	03/08/2005	03/08/2005	06/22/2004	02/08/1998	03/01/1995

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 Counties	China	El Salvador Guatemala Honduras	India	Mexico	Philippines
EB1	AD	C	01/01/2012	C	01/01/2012	C	C
	FD	C	C	C	C	C	C
EB2	AD	C	08/01/2014	C	12/22/2008	C	C
	FD	C	02/01/2015	C	02/08/2009	C	C
EB3	AD	C	06/01/2015	C	02/01/2008	C	01/01/2017
	FD	C	01/01/2016	C	04/01/2008	C	07/01/2017
Other Workers	AD	C	04/01/2007	C	02/01/2008	C	01/01/2017
	FD	C	06/01/2008	C	04/01/2008	C	07/01/2017
EB4	AD	C	C	12/15/2015	C	08/08/2016	C
	FD	C	C	04/15/2016	C	C	C
EB5	AD	C	07/22/2014	C	C	C	C
	FD	C	09/01/2014	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)
Notes:  The following two categories (not listed above) have become "unavailable" in April 2018:- Certain Religious Workers for all countries.- 5th Regional Center (I5 and R5)