April 2019 Visa Bulletin Check-In: Increase in Demand for EB1 Worldwide

Most months, Charles Oppenheim, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) Chief of the Visa Control and Reporting Division, provides visa bulletin explanations and predictions. Following the release of the April 2019 Visa Bulletin, Mr. Oppenheim provides some updated information on what to expect in the coming months.

Employment-Based, First Preference Category (EB1): Increased Demand is Bad News for EB1 India and China

Mr. Oppenheim says that there has been a steady increase in demand for EB1 worldwide (i.e., countries of chargeability not specifically listed in the visa bulletin). Historically, the relatively low use of the EB1 category by other countries meant that those immigrant visa numbers trickled over to EB1 for India and China, allowing them to remain current, or at least progress more rapidly. Now, however, it appears EB1 India and China will not advance in the coming months unless there is a decrease in demand from other countries.

Employment-Based, Second and Third Preference (EB2 and EB3) Categories

The EB2 worldwide category is on pace to use all of its visa numbers. This means that there likely will not be any left to spillover to the heavily oversubscribed EB2 India category.

For the time being, EB3 India is expected to remain with a more favorable cutoff date than EB2 India. The cutoff date for EB3 India likely will continue to outpace that of its EB2 counterpart, but it is difficult to tell how long this may last.

EB2 China likely will continue to advance relatively quickly. The cutoff date for EB3 China also should keep advancing, but at a more leisurely pace.

Employment-Based, Fifth Preference (EB5) Category: Possible Delay in EB5 India Retrogressing

Last year, Mr. Oppenheim predicted that the cutoff date for EB5 India would retrogress by July 2019. In recent months, however, there has been a decrease in demand for EB5 immigrant visa numbers. Mr. Oppenheim expects that demand will increase again, but it is possible this temporary drop in demand could result in the EB5 India category remaining current for longer than previously was expected. He hopes to have more information next month.

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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