January 2018 Visa Bulletin and Update from Charlie Oppenheim
There have been some movements on the immigrant visa front, and some setbacks. Below is an update on where things are and where they may be going.
Employment Based Immigration Visas:
EB-1: Current across the Board for now, however according to Charlie, India and China may backlog by summer.
EB-2: Current for Wordwide. China progressed more than 1 month to August 8, 2013 and India progressed less than 1 month to November 22, 2008. According to Charlie, China should continue to progress, but India will not move forward significantly in the near future, not even progressing into 2009 before the summer of 2018.
EB-3: Current for Worldwide. China moved forward more than 1 month to April 15, 2014. India moved forward a couple of weeks to November 1, 2006. The large demand in EB-3 for India has lessened somewhat so Charlie is hopeful that this category will continue to progress at the same rate over the upcoming months. The Philippines moved forward about 1 month to February 15, 2016. The large demand that had surfaced last month for the Philippines has lessened so, as with India, Charlie is hopeful of continued movement but will be monitoring demand closely.
Family Based Immigration Visas:
FB-1: Most countries moved forward about 1 month to March 15, 2011. The exceptions are Mexico (in 1996) and the Philippines (which is in 2005). According to Charlie the Philippines, which recently had a large retrogression, will not be moving forward anytime soon. Apparently already 40% of their immigration visas in this category are gone, whereas by the end of March they are usually at 54%. Because they are already so close to that number, Charlie has had to slow down visa usage for them in this category (and the FB-2B category as well). Because of movement forward in this category for worldwide number, Charlie is monitoring increased usage very closely.
FB-2A: Most Countries moved forward just over 1 month to February 1, 2016. The only exception was Mexico which is at January 1, 2016.
FB-2B: Most Countries moved forward just a couple weeks to December 1, 2010. The only exceptions are the Philippines, which is in 2006 (see FB-1 for explanation) and Mexico which is in 1996.
FB-3: Most Countries moved forward about 1 month to October 8, 2005. The only exceptions were Mexico and the Philippines, both of which are in 1995.
FB-4: Most Countries moved forward a couple weeks to June 22, 2004. India also moved forward a couple weeks to December 15, 2003. Mexico is in 1997 and the Philippines is in 1994. As India is moving forward in this category, Charlie is monitoring usage very closely in case increased demand surfaces.