All countries with the exception of 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 January 2015 Visa Bulletin.

Priority dates for EB-3 Worldwide, Mexico and Philippines will advance by seven months from Nov. 1, 2012 to June 1, 2013. The priority date will move forward by nine months for EB-3 China, from June 1, 2010 to March 1, 2011. The priority date for EB-3 India will advance by only 14 days to Dec. 15, 2003, after advancing only marginally last month as well.

For Chinese nationals in the employment-based second preference (EB-2) category, the priority date will move ahead by one month to Feb. 1, 2010. The priority date for workers in the EB-2 India category will remain at Feb. 15, 2005 for the second straight month, after retrogressing by more than four years in the November Visa Bulletin. All other countries will remain current in the EB-2 category.

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

Summary of January 2015 Visa Bulletin:

EB-1
Current across all countries

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

EB-3
China: March 1, 2011
India: Dec. 15, 2003
Mexico: June 1, 2013
Philippines: June 1, 2013
All other countries: June 1, 2013

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