The Department of State’s November 2014 Visa Bulletin was published recently and these are the highlights:
EB-2 India retrogressed to February 15, 2005 (from May 1, 2009 in October 2014). October’s visa bulletin warned the retrogression was likely. No forward movement is likely according to this month’s notes on visa availability in the coming months. EB-2 China progressed from November 15, 2009, to December 8, 2009, and this rate of movement is expected to continue.
EB-3 Mexico and Philippines are now in lock step with the worldwide category. All three moved forward by a whopping eight months, from October 2011 to June 2012. The Department of State projects the rapid forward movement will continue for the next several months until so many people apply for adjustment of status that moving forward so quickly is not possible. Applicants in the EB-3 category waiting for their priority dates to become current to apply for permanent residence should get ready!
EB-3 China also moved forward very quickly, from April 1, 2009 to January 1, 2010. The Department of State notes they expect this to generate so much demand, aka applications for permanent residence, that “’corrective’ action” may be required “possibly as early as February.” On the other hand, EB-3 India moved just one week and is not expected to progress in the near future.
EB-1, EB-2 (other than India and China), EB-4 and EB-5 are still current.
FB-1: The first family-based category, for unmarried adult sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, moved two weeks forward to June 8, 2007, for worldwide, China, and India. Mexico also moved two weeks to July 8, 1994, and the Philippines moved ahead by two whole months to November 1, 2004.
FB-2A: 2A, for spouses and minor children of permanent residents, again moved one month forward for worldwide, China, India, and the Philippines, from February 1, 2013, to March 1, 2013. 2A moved two months for Mexico, from July 22, 2012, to September 22, 2012.
FB-2B: The category for adult unmarried sons and daughters of permanent residents stays largely the same, with two months of movement for worldwide, China and India, from November 1, 2007, to January 1, 2008. Mexico 2B moved from August 1, 1994, to September 8, 1994, still much more forward movement than we used to seeing for this category. Philippines 2B again moved just two weeks, from December 15, 2003, to January 1, 2004.
FB-3: Adult married children of U.S. citizens in the FB-3 category moved one week for everyone. Worldwide, China, and India moved from December 1, 2003, to December 8, 2003, while Mexico went from October 22, 1993, to November 1, 2003. Philippines FB-3 moved from June 1, 1993, to June 8, 1993.
FB-4: Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens are still waiting a minimum of 12 and a half years to immigrate. Worldwide, China and India moved from January 22, 2002, to February 8, 2002. Mexico went from February 1, 1997, to February 15, 1997, and Philippines from April 8, 1991, to May 1, 1991.