September 2017 Visa Bulletin Check-In: Updated Predictions for FY18

Most months, Charles Oppenheim, Chief of the Visa Control and Reporting Division for the U.S. Department of State (DOS), provides visa bulletin explanations and predictions. The information for the September 2017 Visa Bulletin includes updated predictions for fiscal year 2018 (FY18), which begins October 1, 2017. All of the predictions provided are for the final action (FA) chart.

Employment-Based, First Preference (EB1) India and China: Cutoff Dates to Return in Summer 2018

The EB1 category for India and China will likely become current again in the October 2017 Visa Bulletin. But, as has been the case for the past couple of years, a cutoff date almost certainly will become necessary again by next summer.

Employment-Based, Second Preference (EB2) India: Hope to Reach 2009 Cutoff Date

EB2 India is expected to move by a few weeks per month for the near future. Mr. Oppenheim hopes EB2 India will be able to reach a December 2008 cutoff date by April 2018. He also anticipates that EB2 India will reach a 2009 cutoff date by the second half of FY18. No further specifics are provided.

Employment-Based, Third Preference (EB3) India: Short-Term Prediction

The only prediction provided for EB3 India is that, for the near future, it is expected to advance by several weeks per month.

EB3 China to Again Outpace EB2 China

EB3 China is expected to return to an October 2014 cutoff date at the start of FY18. This, in turn, will inevitably lead to further EB2-to-EB3 “downgrade” cases for Chinese applicants looking to utilize the more favorable EB3 China cutoff dates. EB2 China is expected to advance three-to-six weeks per month during the new fiscal year.

Conclusion

As always, it is important to note that these are predictions, not guarantees. Circumstances could change that would alter the movement in the aforementioned categories. For future updates on the visa bulletin and other immigration matters, please subscribe to the MurthyBulletin.

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