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.