All countries other than India will move forward significantly in the employment-based third preference (EB-3) category for professionals and skilled workers, according to the State Department’s February 2015 Visa Bulletin.

Priority dates for EB-3 Worldwide, Mexico and Philippines will advance by seven months from June 1, 2013 to Jan. 1, 2014. The priority date will move forward by six months for EB-3 China, from March 1, 2011 to Sept. 1, 2011. The EB-3 India priority date will again advance only marginally, this time by seven days to Dec. 22. 2003.

The priority date for workers in the EB-2 India category, by contrast, will move forward by 6 ½ months to Sept. 1, 2005. The significant advancement follows a retrogression of more than four years as reported in the November Visa Bulletin. The priority date for EB-2 China will advance 1 ½ months to March 15, 2010. All other countries will remain current in the EB-2 category.

All countries will remain current in the EB-1 category.

Summary of February 2015 Visa Bulletin:

EB-1
Current across all countries

EB-2
China: March 15, 2010
India: Sept. 1, 2005
All other countries: Current

EB-3
China: Sept 1, 2011
India: Dec. 22, 2003
Mexico: Jan. 1, 2014
Philippines: Jan. 1, 2014
All other countries: Jan. 1, 2014

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