July 2014 Visa Bulletin: Advancement for EB2 India and Philippines EB3 and FB1

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has released the July 2014 Visa Bulletin. The most significant movement is a nearly four-year leap forward in the employment-based, second preference (EB2) category for Indian nationals. While this movement is not unexpected, it is still welcome news for many Indian nationals with EB2 cases. Beyond the EB2 India category, Filipinos also have reason to celebrate this month’s bulletin, with a seven-month progression in the family-based, first preference (FB1) category, and a one-year jump in the employment-based, third preference (EB3) category for people born in the Philippines.

Family-Based, First Preference (FB1)

The FB1 category is for unmarried children, aged 21 and over, of U.S. citizens. FB1 Philippines moves forward by seven months, to January 1, 2003. FB1 Mexico progresses by six weeks, to February 1, 1994. All other countries of chargeability inch forward by two weeks, to April 1, 2007.

Family-Based, Second Preference “A”

The FB2A category for spouses and (unmarried, minor) children of lawful permanent residents (LPRs or “green card” holders) sees no movement whatsoever this month. FB2A Mexico remains at March 15, 2011, while FB2A for all other countries holds steady at May 1, 2012.

Employment-Based, Second Preference (EB2)

The EB2 category stays current for all countries, except for India and China. As noted above, EB2 India advances by almost  four years, to September 1, 2008. EB2 China moves up by one and a half months, to July 1, 2009.

Employment-Based, Third Preference (EB3)

EB3 Philippines advances by a full year, to January 1, 2009. EB3 India is nudged ahead two weeks, to November 1, 2003. There is no other movement in the EB3 category, with EB3 China remaining at October 1, 2006, and all other countries of chargeability standing still at April 1, 2011.

Other Workers Category

With the exception of China, the EB3 other workers cutoff dates are the same as the general EB3 dates. This category for China has a cutoff date of January 1, 2003.

Conclusion

Those with priority dates that will be current in July should take steps to move forward with their respective cases. Generally speaking, it is best to consult with an experienced attorney and file once eligible to do so, as procrastinating can become a costly mistake if the dates retrogress later. The attorneys at the Murthy Law Firm are available to represent foreign national workers and employers throughout the green card process.

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