June 2014 Visa Bulletin: Retrogression has landed

The Department of State has been stating for a while now that it may need to retrogress certain categories, and it has now happened.  Both the family based category 2A (spouses and children of permanent residents) went from September 8, 2013 to May 1, 2012 for all countries except Mexico (which went from April 15, 2012 to March 15, 2011).  These dates may retrogress even more in the coming months, depending on demand.

At the same time, the Employment Based 3rd category (professionals and skilled workers) also retrogressed.  This category went from October 1, 2012 to April 1, 2011 for all countries except China, India and the Philippines.  China went from October 1, 2012 to October 1, 2006, a huge retrogression showing that there are more China EB-3 numbers than we thought there were.  India went from October 1, 2003 to October 15, 2003, a small forward movement which is a surprise.  The Philippines also progressed.  They went from November 1, 2007 to January 1, 2008.

We should receive more guidance about movement of these dates in the next visa bulletin which will be released around June 15, 2014.

Despite the EB-3 retrogression, the EB-2 category has held current for all countries except China and India.  China moved forward slightly from April 15, 2009 to May 22, 2009.  India held steady at November 15, 2004.