June Visa Bulletin: EB2 India and China Advance
15 May 2015The U.S. Department of State (DOS) June 2015 Visa Bulletin is now available. The employment-based, second preference (EB2) cutoff date for India continues to advance, as does EB2 China. The news is less encouraging in the employment-based, third preference (EB3) category for people born in India or the Philippines.
Employment-Based, First, Fourth, and Fifth Preferences (EB1, EB4, and EB5)
Once again, the EB1 and EB4 categories are current for all countries. Last month, a cutoff date of May 1, 2013 was established for the EB5 category for China. This cutoff date remains unchanged in the June 2015 Visa Bulletin.
Employment-Based, Second Preference (EB2)
The EB2 category remains current for all countries, with the exception of India and China. India continues to advance, with a jump forward of almost six months to October 1, 2008. EB2 China sees a cutoff date advancement of a full year, to June 1, 2013.
Employment-Based, Third Preference (EB3)
The cutoff date for EB3 worldwide, as well as Mexico, continues to be very favorable, advancing to February 15, 2015. The EB3 Philippines category retrogressed by more than seven years in the May 2015 Visa Bulletin. This category retrogresses significantly, yet again, to January 1, 2005. EB3 India inches forward slightly, to January 22, 2004. China’s EB3 cutoff date advances to September 1, 2011.
Employment-Based, Third Preference (EB3) Other Workers
The EB3 other worker cutoff date for China moves to January 1, 2006. With that exception, the EB3 other worker cutoff dates match the general EB3 category.
Conclusion
The visa bulletin did not provide any predictions specific to the EB2 India category. Last month, the DOS predicted continued rapid cutoff date advancement in this backlogged category through July, with a slowdown in August or September 2015. As for EB3 Philippines, the DOS attributes the continued retrogression to heavy demand for visa numbers in this category. Subscribe to the free MurthyBulletin for future updates regarding visa bulletin developments.
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