May 2016 Visa Bulletin: Family Categories Advance

In the May 2016 Visa Bulletin, there are moderate advancements in most family visa categories. Family 2B Action Date advances two and a half months for China, India and Other Countries. Philippines Family 2B advances by one month.  Family 1st advances two months for China, India, Mexico and Other Countries.  Philippines Family 1st advances for three months. However, there are no changes in the Filing Date Table.  The National Visa Center (NVC) is still trying to work through the current backlog of cases.

For employment categories:
Final Action Table: EB-2 India advances slightly to 11/22/2008. EB-3 India moves forward by three weeks to 09/01/2004. EB-3 Philippines moves forward by three (3) months to 08/08/2008. EB-5 China advances slightly to 02/01/2014.

Filing Date Table:  There is very little movement in the EB-2 and EB-3 categories. There are no changes in the EB-2 India categories.  EB-2 China edges forward by two weeks to 06/01/2013.  Other Workers jumps forward by eight months to 04/01/2008.  

AD: Dates for Final Action (Approval)

FD : Dates for Filing Applications

FAMILY		Other Countries	China	India	Mexico	Philippines
F1	AD	11/22/2008	11/22/2008	11/22/2008	02/08/1995	10/01/2004
	FD	10/01/2009	10/01/2009	10/01/2009	04/01/1995	09/01/2005
F2A	AD	11/01/2014	11/01/2014	11/01/2014	08/15/2014	11/01/2014
	FD	06/15/2015	06/15/2015	06/15/2015	06/15/2015	06/15/2015
F2B	AD	09/01/2009	09/01/2009	09/01/2009	09/08/1995	05/01/2005
	FD	12/15/2010	12/15/2010	12/15/2010	04/01/1996	05/01/2005
F3	AD	12/01/2004	12/01/2004	12/01/2004	10/08/1994	01/22/1994
	FD	08/01/2005	08/01/2005	08/01/2005	05/01/1995	08/01/1995
F4	AD	07/22/2003	07/22/2003	07/22/2003	04/08/1997	10/01/1992
	FD	05/01/2004	05/01/2004	05/01/2004	06/01/1998	01/01/1993

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	AD	C	C	C	C	C
	FD	C	C	C	C	C
EB2	AD	C	09/01/2012	11/22/2008	C	C
	FD	C	06/01/2013	07/01/2009	C	C
EB3	AD	02/15/2016	08/15/2013	09/01/2004	02/15/2016	08/08/2008
	FD	C	05/01/2015	07/01/2005	C	01/01/2010
Other Workers	AD	02/15/2016	04/22/2007	09/01/2004	02/15/2016	08/08/2008
	FD	C	04/01/2008	07/01/2005	C	01/01/2010
EB4	AD	C	C	C	C	C
	FD	C	C	C	C	C
EB5	AD	C	02/08/2014	C	C	C
	FD	C	05/01/2015	C	C	C

Note:  In May, a final action date of January 1, 2010 will be imposed for EB-4 and certain religious workers from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. 

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)