We all watch the Visa Bulletin closely to see when an immigrant visa number becomes available to apply for a green card. We compare a client’s priority date with the priority date in the Visa Bulletin. The priority date in the Visa Bulletin reflects the priority of the latest case that has a visa number available. The priority dates in the Visa Bulletin are driven by supply and demand for visa numbers. There are many variables involved.
Why do EB-3 India priority dates advance so slowly? There are thousands of applicants waiting for visa numbers. However there is an annual limit in this category of approximately 2,875 visa numbers in 2015.
Will EB-3 Worldwide priority dates become current anytime soon? If so, what would that mean for EB-3 India priority dates? The State Dept. does not anticipate that EB-3 Worldwide priority dates will become current anytime soon. In fact, priority dates may stop advancing in 2015. If the priority dates in the Worldwide EB-3 category ever do become current then any extra visa numbers will help alleviate the wait for India EB-3 applicants.
Has President Obama’s Executive Actions helped with visa number availability? Yes, one example is that priority dates have advanced at a more rapid pace and much earlier in the year, as compared to prior years.
What news does the April 2015 Visa Bulletin bring?
EB-2 India: After the priority date advanced 16 months in March, the priority date advanced another eight months in April, to September 1, 2007. The State Dept. predicts the priority date will continue to advance at a steady pace for another couple of months. Toward September 2015, the priority date will not advance any more.
EB-3 Worldwide, Mexico, and Philippines: The priority date advanced another four months to October 1, 2014. Predictions are that there may be another big advance in the priority date in these categories in May.
EB-3 China: There is a retrogression of more than nine months to January 1, 2011. Thus, the priority date has moved back in time and makes the wait longer for a visa number.
Stay tuned for more updates on the crazy world of immigrant visa numbers!