The Department of State’s February 2015 visa bulletin was released over the weekend. The Bureau of Consular Affairs included projections for the “coming months” in this Visa Bulletin, as well.
EB-3: In the employment-based permanent residence categories, the most notable change was another six months forward movement in the EB-3 category across the board, except for India and China. Worldwide, Mexico and Philippines moved from June 1, 2013, to January 1, 2014. This means for this fiscal year, which began in October 2014, the wait list for EB-3 worldwide has moved almost three calendar years, a major improvement in terms of how long it takes to obtain permanent residence through employment as a professional worker. “Rapid forward movement” is expected to continue in this category for “at least another month or two.”
EB-3 China also continues to progress, and moved from March 1, 2011, to September 1, 2011. The Bureau of Consular Affairs warns corrective action may be required within the next six months because of the “rapid forward movement” we are seeing in this category. EB-3 China other workers moved just three weeks to August 15, 2005.
As usual, EB-3 India moved one week, from December 15, 2003, to December 22, 2003. Movement of up to two weeks per month is expected in the coming months.
EB-2: Worldwide, as well as Mexico and the Philippines, remain current for EB-2. EB-2 China moved about six weeks, from February 1, 2010, to March 15, 2010. India EB-2 moved forward by a huge span of six and a half months, from February 15, 2005, to September 1, 2005. The Bureau of Consular Affairs advises that EB-2 India is likely to continue movement of four to six months per month through May.
EB-1, EB-4 and EB-5 are current for February 2015. China EB-5 will likely be cut off in the summer months due to high demand. EB-5 will remain current for all other countries.
FB-1: The first family-based category, for unmarried adult sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, moved two weeks forward for worldwide, China, and India, from July 8, 2007, through July 22, 2007. Mexico also moved two weeks, from September 15, 1994, to October 1, 1994. The Philippines moved two weeks, from December 22, 2004, to January 8, 2005.
FB-2A: 2A, for spouses and minor children of permanent residents, moved three weeks forward for worldwide, China, India, and the Philippines, from April 15, 2013, to May 8, 2013. 2A moved one month for Mexico, from February 22, 2013, to April 22, 2013.
FB-2B: The category for adult unmarried sons and daughters of permanent residents moved seven weeks forward for worldwide, China and India, from April 1, 2008, to May 22, 2008. Mexico 2B moved from November 1, 1994, to December 15, 1994, for six weeks of movement. Philippines 2B moved seven weeks, as well, from February 1, 2004, to February 22, 2004.
FB-3: Adult married children of U.S. citizens in the FB-3 category moved at the glacial pace of one week for everyone (except Mexico which moved one month). Worldwide, China, and India moved from December 22, 2003, to January 1, 2004, while Mexico went forward from December 15, 1993, to January 15, 1994. Philippines FB-3 moved from July 8, 1993, to July 15, 1993.
FB-4: Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens are still waiting the longest on average to immigrate. Worldwide, China, and India moved three weeks from March 22, 2002, to April 15, 2002. Mexico moved one month from March 22, 1997, to April 22, 1997, and Philippines three weeks from July 15, 1991, to August 8, 1991.