April 2018 Visa Bulletin Released

The Department of State (DOS) has issued its April 2018 Visa Bulletin.  Most notably, the Employment-Based (“EB”)-1 category for Indian and Chinese nationals retrogresses dramatically to January 1, 2012.  EB-2 and EB-3 for Chinese nationals, and EB-3 for Indian and Filipino nationals make significant advances while EB-2 for Indians holds fairly steady.

EB-1-Worldwide:                Priority dates are current, except:

                        China:            January 1, 2012

                        India:              January 1, 2012

EB-2-Worldwide:                Priority dates are current, except:                      

                        China:            August 1, 2014,

                                                Advancement of almost eight months                                       

                        India:              December 22, 2008

                                                Advancement of one week

EB-3-Worldwide:                Priority dates are current, except

                        China:            June 1, 2015,

                                                Advancement of six and a half months

                        India:              February 1, 2008,

                                                Advancement of 11 months

                        Philippines:  January 1, 2017,

                                                Advancement of eight months

USCIS ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS DATES

If USCIS determines that there are more immigrant visas available for a fiscal year than there are known applicants for such visas, the USCIS will state on www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo that you may use the Dates for Filing Visa Applications chart in the Department of State April 2018 Visa Bulletin. Otherwise, USCIS will indicate on its web site that you must use the Application Final Action Dates chart to determine when you may file your adjustment of status application in the United States.  USCIS has determined that the Final Action Dates (listed above) must be used for employment-based filings.  

Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns regarding these developments.