The Department of State’s July Visa Bulletin announced only a few modest changes in employment-based visa processing. Most significantly, the EB-3 subcategory for professionals and skilled workers will become unavailable for the Philippines.
Additionally, Indian nationals seeking classification under the EB-2 preference category will see no change from the month of June. Those seeking classification under the EB-3 and other workers categories will see a very small change from January 22, 2004 to February 4, 2004. This means the government is virtually experiencing a “delay” of 11 years. Priority dates for Chinese nationals share lack of progress. Individuals under EB-2, advanced only four months to October 1, 2013, while EB-3 and other workers remained the same.
Those individuals who have been impacted by a visa retrogression of any kind are encouraged to check the DOS Visa Bulletin each month in order to see if visa processing dates have moved under their approval category.
| Employment-Based |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
China – Mainland Born |
India |
Mexico |
Philippines |
| 1st |
C |
C |
C |
C |
C |
| 2nd |
C |
10/1/2013 |
10/1/2008 |
C |
C |
| 3rd |
4/1/2015 |
9/1/2011 |
2/1/2004 |
4/1/2015 |
U |
| Other Workers |
4/1/2015 |
1/1/2006 |
2/1/2004 |
4/1/2015 |
U |
| 4th |
C |
C |
C |
C |
C |
| Certain Religious Workers |
C |
C |
C |
C |
C |
| 5th Targeted Employment Areas/Regional Centers and Pilot Programs |
C |
9/1/2013 |
C |
C |
C |
