July 2016 Visa Bulletin Shows Little or No Advancement for Most Categories
15 Jun
by Foster, on Immigration Updates
The U.S. Department of State recently published the Monthly Visa Bulletin for July 2016, reporting little or no advancement to the “final action cutoff date” for applicants in most employment-based categories experiencing a backlog. The largest progression in the “final action cutoff date” was by over three (3) months for EB-3 applicants born in the Philippines. The EB-2 and EB-3 preference categories for India also both progressed by one (1) month. The EB-2 and EB-3 preference categories for China remained the same as the previous month’s visa bulletin.
The “final action cutoff dates” below represent the cutoff date for approval of pending applications and for the filing of new employment-based applications.
Final Action Cutoff Dates
| Employment-Based Preference | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA-Mainland Born | EL SALVADOR GUATEMALA HONDURAS |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES | |
| 1st | Final Action Cut-off Date |
C | C | C | C | C | C |
| 2nd | Final Action Cut-off Date |
C | 01JAN10 No change |
C | 01NOV04 Forward 1 month |
C | C |
| 3rd | Final Action Cut-off Date |
01MAR16 Forward 2 wks |
01JAN10 No change |
01MAR16 Forward 2 wks |
22OCT04 Forward 1 month |
01MAR16 Forward 2 wks |
15FEB09 Forward 3.5 months |
| Other Worker | Final Action Cut-off Date | 01MAR16 Forward 2 wks |
01JAN04 Retrogress 3.25 yrs |
01MAR16 Forward 2 wks |
22OCT04 Forward 1 month |
01MAR16 Forward 2 wks |
15FEB09 Forward 3.5 months |
* The “Final Action Cut-off Date” is the date traditionally published each month in the Visa Bulletin before the October 2015 Visa Bulletin.
As always, Foster will continue to monitor immigrant visa availability and the procedures that allow for filing Applications to Adjust Status to permanent resident and will provide additional information in future Immigration Updates© and on our firm’s website at www.fosterglobal.com.