Jan
18
Written by:
The VISANOW Legal Team
1/18/2012 10:45 AM
The VISANOW Visa Bulletin update is back from hibernation! The USCIS seems to have turned over a new and more productive leaf in the new year and shows advancements in almost every employment-based and family-based immigration category.
The F-1 category, unmarried children over 21 of permanent residents, has advanced rather dramatically, with China, India, Philippines, and all other areas charging ahead one month and seven days ahead. Mexico is not as speedy, and inches ahead by only seven days.
The F-2A category, spouses and unmarried children under 21 of lawful permanent residents, exhibits progress across the board with China, India, Philippines, and all other areas scooting two months forward to 06/08/2009, while Mexico mimics the move with a two month advance to 05/08/2009.
In the F-2B category, or unmarried children 21 years or older of permanent residents, China, India, and all other areas continue to forge ahead to 10/15/2003. The Philippines follows suit and progresses one month to 11/01/2001, while Mexico remains stagnant at 12/01/1992.
The F-3 category, married sons and daughters of permanent residents, urges itself forward against the bitter winter wind. Each category advanced one month, bringing China, India, and all other areas to 12/01/2001; Mexico to 01/01/1993; and the Philippines to 07/22/1992.
Encouragingly, February’s Visa Bulletin for employment-based immigration depicts similar progressions. Unsurprisingly, the EB-1 category continues to remain current. The EB-2 category seems to be the star pupil, keeping Mexico, Philippines, and all other areas current while China and India leap forward one full year to 01/01/2010. The EB-3 category shows more modest progress, sliding each category forward less than a month. The “Other Worker” category copies the EB-3’s, inching each area forward by only twenty-one days except for China, which stays at 04/22/2003. All other categories remain current.
Employment-Based Visa Bulletin for February:
|
Employment- Based
|
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed
|
CHINA- mainland born
|
INDIA
|
MEXICO
|
PHILIPPINES
|
|
1st
|
C
|
C
|
C
|
C
|
C
|
|
2nd
|
C
|
01JAN10
|
01JAN10
|
C
|
C
|
|
3rd
|
22FEB06
|
01DEC04
|
15AUG02
|
22FEB06
|
22FEB06
|
|
Other Workers
|
22FEB06
|
22APR03
|
15AUG02
|
22FEB06
|
22FEB06
|
|
4th
|
C
|
C
|
C
|
C
|
C
|
|
Certain Religious Workers
|
C
|
C
|
C
|
C
|
C
|
|
5th
Targeted
Employment Areas/
Regional Centers
and Pilot Programs
|
C
|
C
|
C
|
C
|
C
|
Legend
· C = current as there is no waiting period necessary to file for permanent residency
· U = unavailable as visa supply has been exhausted for the remainder of fiscal year, or legislation creating the category has expired
· Date indicated = cut-off date that indicates a backlog; if the priority date (date the labor certification or I-140 was filed, depending on the type of case) is BEFORE the date listed, one may apply for permanent residency
Employment-Based Preferences
· First: Priority Workers
· Second: Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability
· Third: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers
· Fourth: Certain Special Immigrants
· Fifth: Employment Creation
Family-based Visa Bulletin for February:
|
Family-Sponsored
|
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed
|
CHINA-mainland born
|
INDIA
|
MEXICO
|
PHILIPPINES
|
|
F1
|
22DEC04
|
22DEC04
|
22DEC04
|
22APR93
|
22MAY97
|
|
F2A
|
08JUN09
|
08JUN09
|
08JUN09
|
08MAY09
|
08JUN09
|
|
F2B
|
15OCT03
|
15OCT03
|
15OCT03
|
01DEC92
|
01NOV01
|
|
F3
|
01DEC01
|
01DEC01
|
01DEC01
|
01JAN93
|
22JUL92
|
|
F4
|
08SEP00
|
08SEP00
|
08SEP00
|
15MAY96
|
01NOV88
|
Legend
· C = current as there is no waiting period necessary to file for permanent residency
· U = unavailable as visa supply has been exhausted for the remainder of fiscal year, or legislation creating the category has expired
· Date indicated = cut-off date that indicates a backlog; if the priority date (date the I-130 was filed) is BEFORE the date listed, one may apply for permanent residency
Family-Based Preferences
· First: Unmarried sons and daughters (i.e., children over 21 years of age) of U.S. citizens
· 2A: Spouses and children (i.e., unmarried children under 21 years of age) of lawful permanent residents
· 2B: Unmarried sons and daughters (i.e., children over 21 years of age) of lawful permanent residents
· Third: Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens
· Fourth: Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens