August 2012 Visa Bulletin: FB-1 Philippines Move Back 32 Months

By Paul Szeto, Esq.

In the August 2012 Visa Bulletin, the EB-2 China and India visa categories remain "unavailable" and the EB-2 Other Countries unchanged. There are some advancements in the EB-3 visa categories from one to six weeks.

On the family side, the most significant change is the 32-month retrogression for the First Family Preference Category of the Philippines back to 03/01/1994, while China, India and Other Countries advance three weeks to 08/01/2005.  Family-based Second Preference for China, India and Other Countries also move forward by about six weeks. 

FAMILY	Other Countries	China	India	Mexico	Philippines
F1	1-Aug-05	1-Aug-05	1-Aug-05	8-Jun-93	1-Mar-94
F2A	15-Mar-10	15-Mar-10	15-Mar-10	01MAR10	15-Mar-10
F2B	22-Jun-04	22-Jun-04	22-Jun-04	22-Aug-92	1-Jan-02
F3	1-May-02	1-May-02	1-May-02	22-Jan-93	22-Jul-92
F4	15-Feb-01	8-Jan-01	15-Feb-01	15-Jun-96	1-Feb-89

 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	1-Jan-09	U	U	1-Jan-09	1-Jan-09
EB3	8-Sep-06	8-Nov-05	1-Oct-02	8-Sep-06	15-Jun-06
Other Workers	8-Sep-06	15-Jun-03	1-Oct-02	8-Sep-06	8-Jun-06
EB4	C	C	C	C	C
Certain 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)

(Paul Szeto, an immigration lawyer and former INS attorney, regularly writes on immigration issues. His contact info: 732-632-9888, info@szetolaw.com)