February 2013 Visa Bulletin

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has issued the February 2013 Visa Bulletin. No new predictions are provided for the movement of the cutoff dates in future visa bulletins. The February Visa Bulletin is summarized here for the benefit of our readers.

Summary of Visa Bulletin

Employment-Based, First Preference (EB1)

This category remains current for all countries of chargeability.

Employment-Based, Second Preference (EB2)

This category continues to be current for all countries of chargeability except India and China. The cutoff date for India, established in the October 2012 Visa Bulletin, remains unchanged at September 1, 2004. The cutoff date for China advances by over a month, to January 15, 2008.

Employment-Based, Third Preference (EB3)

The EB3 cutoff date for the category of all chargeability areas except those listed, as well as Mexico, advances yet again by more than a month. The new cutoff date is March 15, 2007. The cutoff date for the Philippines inches forward by a few days to August 22, 2006. China experiences almost two months of advancement, with a new cutoff date of November 15, 2006. India again moves forward by one week, to a cutoff date of November 15, 2002.

Other Workers Category

The EB3 other workers’ cutoff dates match the general EB3 cutoff dates, with the exception of China. The EB3 other workers’ category cutoff date for China remains unchanged at July 1, 2003.

Employment-Based Fourth (EB4) and Fifth (EB5) Preferences

These categories continue to be current for all countries of chargeability.

Conclusion

The February 2013 Visa Bulletin does not provide predictions for cutoff date movement later in the year. We at the Murthy Law Firm will advise our readers of visa bulletin updates and predictions as they become available.

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Disclaimer: The information provided here is of a general nature and may not apply to any specific or particular circumstance. It is not to be construed as legal advice nor presumed indefinitely up to date.