NEWS

October 2017 Visa Bulletin Predictions

The October 2017 Visa Bulletin issued by the US Department of State (DOS) contains predictions on the future movement of visa number availability for the upcoming fiscal year. A foreign national may not file for, or have an application for legal permanent residency or an immigrant visa approved (if pending) until a visa number is available.

Employment-Based Preference Categories:

EB-1 China and EB-1 India: In October 2017, these categories will once again become current and they are expected to remain current for the foreseeable future. The EB-1 category includes the EB-1B outstanding researcher/professor and the EB-1A extraordinary ability aliens.

EB-2 Worldwide: This category will become current again on October 1st and should remain current for the foreseeable future.

EB-2 India: In October 2017, the final action date will be September 15, 2008, and is expected to advanced of up to one month at a time. Upgrades from EB-3 to EB-2 continue to impact the advance of the EB-2 category.

EB-3 India: In October 2017, the final action date will remain at October 15, 2006, and should remain there, although there is some possible advance in December.

EB-2 China and EB-3 China: EB-3 China will for October will have a final action date of January 1, 2014, which is ahead of EB-2 China’s final action date of May 22, 2013.

EB-3 Worldwide: In October 2017, the final action date will remain current and is expected to remain current for the foreseeable future.

EB-3 Philippines: In October 2017, the final action date will advance one month to December 1, 2015, and may advance up to two months at a time as we enter the new fiscal year.