April 2015 Visa Bulletin: Retrogression for EB-3 China; advancements for other countries in EB-2 and EB-3

The priority cutoff date for the EB-3 category for China will retrogress by almost 10 months to Jan 1, 2011, according to the State Department’s April 2015 Visa Bulletin. EB-2 China and India, by contrast, will see significant advancements.

The EB-3 China retrogression was expected, though perhaps not as soon as April, as priority dates had advanced significantly in recent months, leading to an increase in demand. The Worldwide category may see a hold or retrogression in EB-3 in the coming months as well, according to a Feb. 10 briefing from Charles Oppenheim, the State Department’s chief of the Visa Control and Reporting Division.

As for China, the April bulletin said, “Potential forward movement of this cut-off date during the remainder of the fiscal year is dependent on the amount of demand received for applicants with very early priority dates.”

Priority dates for other countries will move forward in the EB-3 category, but by slightly less than in recent months. Priority dates for EB-3 Worldwide, Mexico and the Philippines will advance by four months to Oct. 1, 2014. EB-3 India will advance by seven days after advancing by 10 days in the March 2015 Visa Bulletin.

The priority date for workers in the EB-2 China category will jump forward by seven months to April 1, 2011. The priority date for EB-2 India will advance eight months to Sept. 1, 2007. All other countries will remain current in the EB-2 category.

The EB-1 category will remain current across all countries.

BAL Analysis: BAL will follow up with affected clients to address the impact of the Visa Bulletin.

A summary of the April 2015 Visa Bulletin:

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