The U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin July 2018 shows marginal advancement in EB-2 China, EB-2 India, EB-3 India, and retrogression for EB-3 China in the Application Final Action Dates chart. EB-2 China also advanced marginally in the Dates for Filing Applications chart for the employment-based visa preference categories.
USCIS is yet to announce which chart may be used in July 2018 for filing applications for Adjustment of Status with USCIS. Unless USCIS indicates otherwise, applicants seeking to file for adjustment of status must follow the dates in the Application Final Action Dates chart to determine when they could file their adjustment of status applications.
July 2018 Visa Bulletin Highlights
The following are the key highlights in the Application Final Action Dates chart of July 2018 Visa Bulletin:
- Priority date for EB-1 remained stagnant at January 1, 2012 for China and India, and Current for all other countries other than China and India.
- Priority date for EB-2 China advanced from September 1, 2014 to January 1, 2015.
- In the EB-2 Category for India, the cut-off date advanced from December 26, 2008 to March 15, 2009.
- The EB-2 Category continues to remain Current for all countries other than China and India.
- In the EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers Category, priority date for mainland China retrogressed from June 01, 2015 to January 1, 2013.
- Priority date for EB-3 India advanced from May 1, 2008 to November 1, 2008.
- Priority date for EB-3 Philippines remained stagnant at January 1, 2017.
- The priority date for mainland China under the EB-3 Other Workers Category remained stagnant at May 1, 2007.
- In the EB-3 category, priority date remained Current for all countries other than China, India, and Philippines.
- Priority date for EB-4 El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras advanced from December 15, 2015 to February 8, 2016.
- Priority date for EB-4 Mexico retrogressed from October 22, 2016 to February 8, 2016.
- Priority date for EB-5 China and EB-5 Vietnam remained stagnant at August 1, 2014.
The following are the key highlights in the Dates for Filing Applications chart of July 2018 Visa Bulletin:
- Priority date for EB-2 China advanced from February 1, 2015 to April 1, 2015.
- Priority date for EB-2 India advanced from April 01, 2009 to May 22, 2009.
- Priority date for EB-3 India advanced from September 1, 2008 to May 1, 2009.
- Priority date for EB-4 El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras advanced from April 15, 2016 to May 1, 2016.
- Priority date for EB-5 China advanced from September 1, 2014 to October 1, 2014.
About Visa Bulletin
The Department of State (DOS) publishes two separate charts for the employment based and family based visa preference categories every month:
- Chart 1 – Application Final Action Dates; and
- Chart 2 – Dates for Filing Applications
The “Application Final Action Dates” chart prescribes the dates when visas can be issued to immigrant visa applicants. Immigrant visas will be authorized for issuance only for applicants whose priority date is on or before the cut-off dated listed in the “Application Final Action Dates” chart.
The “Dates for Filing Applications” chart prescribes the earliest dates that applicants may be able to apply for an immigrant visa. Applicants whose priority date is on or before the date listed in the “Dates for Filing Applications” chart will be eligible to assemble and submit the required documents to the National Visa Center (NVC).
USCIS will, each month, post the relevant DOS Visa Bulletin chart that applicants can use to determine when to file their Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. Applicants whose priority date is on or before the date on the chart posted by USCIS may file their Adjustment of Status application. USCIS is yet to announce which chart may be used in July 2018 for filing applications for Adjustment of Status with USCIS.
Next Steps
Green Card applicants who have a priority date earlier than the cut-off date listed in the relevant Visa Bulletin charts are eligible to apply for Adjustment of Status or an immigrant visa.
Check out the latest visa bulletin for a complete listing of the current cut-off dates and availability of immigrant visa numbers.
Schedule a FREE Case Evaluation with our experienced immigration attorneys if you have any questions about your eligibility for filing an Adjustment of Status or an immigrant visa application.