Nov 2019 Visa Bulletin Check-In: Updated Predictions

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 November 2019 Visa Bulletin, Mr. Oppenheim provided some updated predictions for fiscal year 2020 (FY20), which started on October 1, 2019.

Employment-Based, First Preference Category (EB1)

Recently, there has been a drop in demand for the EB1 category for all countries of chargeability except China and India. If this reduced demand continues, the EB1 category could become current as soon as April 2020 for all of those countries, and this in turn could benefit EB1 China and EB1 India. While the cutoff date for EB1 India is expected to remain largely unchanged through at least January 2020, when it does move forward, it could be by as much as 6 to 8 months.

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

EB3 China has a more favorable cutoff date than EB2 China, which has led to an increase in EB2-to-EB3 “downgrade” cases. This may result in EB2 China advancing.

The opposite is true for India, however. There has recently been an increase in the number of EB3-to-EB2 “upgrade” cases for India. So, most of the EB2 immigrant visa numbers that have been requested in October have been from cases that were previously filed in the EB3 category.

Family-Based, Second Preference “A” Category (FB2A)

The FB2A category, which is for spouses and children of U.S. permanent residents, remains current due to surprisingly low demand. For the time being, Mr. Oppenheim does not expect to have to impose a final action date on this category.

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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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.