March 2015 Visa Bulletin: Noteworthy advancement in EB-3 category; EB-2 India and China

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

Priority dates for EB-3 Worldwide, Mexico and Philippines will advance by five months to June 1, 2014. Priority dates for EB-3 China and India will move forward more modestly, with China advancing less than two months to Oct. 22, 2011, and India advancing by only 10 days to Jan. 1, 2004.

The priority date for workers in the EB-2 India category, however, will jump forward by a year and four months to Jan. 1, 2007. EB-2 India leapt forward considerably in the February Visa Bulletin as well, after retrogressing by more than four years in the November Visa Bulletin. The priority date for EB-2 China will advance more than five months to Sept. 1, 2010. All other countries will remain current in the EB-2 category.

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

Summary of March 2015 Visa Bulletin:

EB-1
Current across all countries 

EB-2
China: Sept. 1, 2010
India: Jan. 1, 2007
All other countries: Current

EB-3
China: Oct. 22, 2011
India: Jan. 1, 2004
Mexico: June 1, 2014
Philippines: June 1, 2014
All other countries: June 1, 2014

Copyright © 2016 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.