October 2014 Visa Bulletin: EB2 India Holds at 01.May.2009

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has issued the October 2014 Visa Bulletin. This is the first visa bulletin of fiscal year 2015 (FY15). The contents of the October Visa Bulletin largely align with prior predictions. The employment-based, second preference (EB2) cutoff date for Indian nationals is unchanged, at May 1, 2009. Some other EB categories saw priority dates make modest gains.

Employment-Based, First, Fourth, and Fifth Preferences (EB1, EB4, and EB5)

These categories remain current for all applicants, regardless of country of chargeability.

Employment-Based, Second Preference (EB2)

The EB2 category is current, with the exception of India and China. The cutoff date for India advanced in the prior three months, but remains at May 1, 2009, the date established in the September 2014 Visa Bulletin. EB2 China advances by just over a month, to November 15, 2009.

Employment-Based, Third Preference (EB3)

EB3 experiences favorable movement of six months for the worldwide category, as well as for people born in Mexico and the Philippines. The new cutoff date for these areas of chargeability shifts to October 1, 2011. The remaining two countries not included in this group are India and China. EB3 India inches forward by just a week, to November 15, 2003. China fared better, gaining five months and a new cutoff date of April 1, 2009.

Other Workers Category

The EB3, other workers cutoff dates match those of the regular EB3 dates, with the exception of China. The EB3, other worker category for China is stagnant at July 22, 2005.

Insights and Predictions

The EB2 India cutoff date advancement has increased the demand and usage of the visa numbers in that category. Thus, the DOS predicts that it will be necessary to retrogress the EB2 India cutoff date, possibly in the November Visa Bulletin. The Murthy Law Firm knows your immigration matters, so subscribe to the free MurthyBulletin to receive news and insight, direct to your inbox, on topics that include the visa bulletin and other important immigration issues.

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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.