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/

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

February 2017 Visa Bulletin: Movement Sluggish



In the February 2017 Visa Bulletin, EB-2 India stays unchanged; EB-3 India moves forward by only one week. EB-2 China and EB-3 China move forward by one month and three weeks respectively.  



EB-3 China remains ahead of EB-2 China.  Therefore, downgrading of the I-140 remains an option for Chinese-born applicants in order to expedite their green card application process.



EB-3 Philippines moves forward by 3 months.


Family First Preference advances 6 weeks to 2 months weeks for most countries, except Mexico, which only moves advances 2 weeks.  Other family categories for all countries have small advancements, i.e., 3 weeks.   Please see the charts below for details.



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

FAMILY
Other Countries
China
India
Mexico
Philippines
F1
AD
02/22/2010
02/22/2010
02/22/2010
05/08/1995
12/01/2005
FD
01/01/2011
01/01/2011
01/01/2011
06/01/1995
05/01/2006
F2A
AD
04/15/2015
04/15/2015
04/15/2015
04/01/2015
04/15/2015
FD
11/22/2015
11/22/2015
11/22/2015
11/22/2015
11/22/2015
F2B
AD
07/08/2010
07/08/2010
07/08/2010
11/08/1995
04/08/2006
FD
02/08/2011
02/08/2011
02/08/2011
06/01/1996
02/01/2007
F3
AD
03/22/2005
03/22/2005
03/22/2005
12/15/1994
09/08/1994
FD
08/22/2005
08/22/2005
08/22/2005
05/01/1995
01/01/1995
F4
AD
02/08/2004
01/22/2004
06/15/2003
05/22/1997
06/22/1993
FD
07/01/2004
07/01/2004
05/01/2004
12/01/1997
04/01/1994

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
C
C
C
C
C
FD
C
C
N/A
C
C
C
EB2
AD
C
11/15/2012
C
04/15/2008
C
C
FD
C
03/01/2013
N/A
04/22/2009
C
C
EB3
AD
10/01/2016
10/01/2013
10/01/2016
03/22/2005
10/01/2016
10/15/2011
FD
C
05/01/2014
N/A
07/01/2005
C
09/01/2013
Other Workers
AD
10/01/2016
12/01/2005
10/01/2016
03/22/2005
10/01/2016
10/15/2011
FD
C
08/01/2009
N/A
07/01/2005
C
09/01/2013
EB4
AD
C
C
07/15/2015
C
07/15/2015
C
FD
C
C
N/A
C
C
C
EB5
AD
C
04/15/2014
C
C
C
C
FD
C
06/15/2014
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)

No comments: