May 2015 Visa Bulletin Updates
Thursday, April 16, 2015

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) recently released the May 2015 Visa Bulletin in which significant movement should be noted in the employment-based classification for nationals of the Philippines in the EB-3 category, for Indian nationals in the EB-2 category, and for Chinese nationals in the EB-2 and EB-5 categories.

Specifically, the Visa Bulletin shows major retrogression in the EB-3 category (both “skilled workers” and “other workers” subcategories) for Filipino nationals, as it moved from Oct. 1, 2014, to July 1, 2007, creating a backlog of over seven years. As such, it is highly recommended that eligible Filipino EB-3 applicants who are “current” but whose priority date will be retrogressed on May, 1, 2015, to immediately file their I-485, Application to Adjust Status.

Indian and Chinese nationals in the EB-2 category, on the other hand, will benefit from notable progression. The DOS announced an advancement of seven and a half months for Indian nationals, with priority dates moving up from Sept. 1, 2007, to April 15, 2008; this progression comes after an eight-month jump forward in the March 2015 Visa Bulletin. Further, the May 2015 Visa Bulletin shows continued progression for Chinese nationals with a 14-month leap forward from April 1, 2011, to June 1, 2012.

Finally, another considerable development announced in May’s Visa Bulletin is the introduction of a cut-off date of May 1, 2013, for the EB-5 Chinese nationals.

Employment-Based

All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed

CHINA – mainland born

INDIA

MEXICO

PHILIPPINES

1st

C

C

C

C

C

2nd

C

01JUN12

15APR08

C

C

3rd

01JAN15

01MAY11

15JAN04

01JAN15

01JUL07

Other Workers

01JAN15

15NOV05

15JAN04

01JAN15

01JUL07

4th

C

C

C

C

C

Certain Religious Workers

C

C

C

C

C

5th Targeted Employment Areas/Regional lefts and Pilot Programs

C

01MAY13

C

C

C

 

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