A blog about U.S. immigration matters by Paul Szeto, a former INS attorney and an experienced immigration lawyer. We serve clients in all U.S. states and overseas countries. (All information is not legal advice and is subject to change without prior notice.)

Contact: 732-632-9888, http://www.1visa1.com/

Saturday, May 14, 2011

June Visa Bulletin: Advancements in Family 1st and 2nd, Employment 2nd

In June’s Visa Bulletin, the headline news is advancements in Family 1st and 2nd, as well as Employment 2nd visa categories.  On the employment side, EB1 remains current across the board for all countries.  Besides India and China, EB2 remains current for Mexico, Philippines, and other countries.  EB2 advances to October 15, 2006 for both China and India.  The State Department has been concerned about EB2 visa usage due to upgrading of cases from the EB3 visa category.  So far, the effect due to upgrade has been minimal, allowing the State Department to significantly advance the EB2 cutoff days for China and India by using the unused visa numbers from the EB1 category.  For EB3, Philippines and other countries advance three weeks to September 15, 2005; other countries also enjoy some nice forward movements.  The “Other Worker” category moves forward by two months to November 8, 2003 for Mexico, Philippines, and other countries.

On the family side, the focus remains on changes in cutoff dates after retrogression.  Heavy visa demands in 2010 caused major retrogression in family visa numbers during the first few months of 2011.  In June, there are some nice forward movements.  F1 (unmarried adult children of US citizens) advances sevens months to February 22, 1996 for Philippines but remains unchanged for most other countries.  F2A moves forward by ten weeks to August 22, 2007 for Philippines, China, India and other countries. F2B Philippines moves forward by three months to June 8, 2000 but other countries remain unchanged. 

Going forward, availability of employment visa numbers remains uncertain, depending on demands as well as upgrades from EB3 cases.  The State Department is not making any predictions or assumptions on visa availability; it also does not eliminate the possibility of retrogression for FY2011.  Slow forward movements remain possible on the family side.  Applicants who have been negatively affected by retrogression must remain patient.  The State Department continues to process retrogressed cases after processing has begun.  Petitioners should pay the visa fees and submit the required civil documents in a timely fashion. 
Special news update: Due to a computer programming problem, the State Department recently voided the results of the 2012 Diversity Lottery that were previously posted on its website.  A new random computerized drawing will be conducted and the results of the new selection process is expected to be available on or about July 15, 2011.

Family
Other Countries
CHINA-
mainland born
INDIA
MEXICO
PHILIPPINES
F1
01MAY04
01MAY04
01MAY04
01MAR93
22FEB96
F2A
22AUG07
22AUG07
22AUG07
22JUL07 
22AUG07
F2B
15APR03
15APR03
15APR03
22AUG92
08JUN00
F3
01JUN01
01JUN01
01JUN01
15NOV92
08MAR92
F4
08MAR00
08MAR00
08MAR00
15FEB96
01MAY88

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-
mainland born
INDIA
MEXICO
PHILIPPINES
EB1
C
C
C
C
C
EB2
C
15OCT06
15OCT06
C
C
EB3
15SEP05
15MAY04
22APR02
22DEC04
15SEP05
Other Workers
08NOV03
22APR03
22APR02
08NOV03
08NOV03
EB4
C
C
C
C
C
Religious Workers
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)


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Andera Podoker said...
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