January 2019 Visa Bulletin Check-In: Predictions Coming in February

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) Chief of the Visa Control and Reporting Division, Charles Oppenheim, often issues visa bulletin explanations and predictions, following the release of the monthly visa bulletin. Mr. Oppenheim had hoped to provide updated short-term predictions in the January 2019 Visa Bulletin. However, he determined that more data was needed for him to properly gauge demand and update his previous predictions. He now expects to post updated short-term predictions for cutoff date movement in the February 2019 Visa Bulletin.

Requirement to Use of Final Action May Be Coming in February 2019

For the January 2019 Visa Bulletin, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), yet again, is allowing for the use of the dates for filing (DF) chart for all family- and employment-based categories. This is the fourth consecutive month that the USCIS has allowed use of the more favorable DF chart, but Mr. Oppenheim cautions that this trend soon may come to an end. By the February 2019 Visa Bulletin, Mr. Oppenheim believes that the USCIS again may require stakeholders to rely on the final action (FA) chart.

Conclusion

MurthyDotCom will continue to closely monitor and report on movement and predictions related to the monthly visa bulletin. Subscribe to the MurthyBulletin to receive future updates.

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