Predictions for May 2023 Visa Bulletin and Beyond: More EB Retrogressions

The May 2023 visa bulletin will bring notable advancements in EB-3 and EB-5 China and retrogression in EB-2 and EB-3 Other Countries, Mexico, and Philippines. Below are the State Department's predictions for the visa bulletin beyond May.

EB-1 China and India final action dates will likely retrogress in the next months due to increased worldwide EB-1 demand.

If demand continues to be higher than usual, EB-2 Other Countries, Mexico, and Philippines final action dates will retrogress further.

EB-2 and EB-5 India will retrogress as early as next month.  The State Department aims to have EB-2 and EB-5 India October final action dates return to at least those of April.

EB-3 Other Workers for Other Countries, Mexico, and Philippines have had high number use and will probably retrogress further. 

Overall, May's retrogressions are mostly a result of higher than expected demand for numbers from those with current priority dates. The visa bulletin will continue to respond to demand, retrogressing categories if necessary to fit annual limits.

Due to the expected retrogressions (e.g., EB-1 India/China; EB-2/EB-5 India), eligible applicants should submit their adjustment (I-485) as soon as possible. 

(Immigration laws and policies change regularly.  If you have any questions regarding this article, please visit www.1visa1.com to schedule a legal consultation.)