May 2019 Visa Bulletin – Slight Forward Progress Across Backlogged Preference Categories
24 Apr
by Foster LLP, on Immigration Updates, News
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) issued the Monthly Visa Bulletin for May 2019, reflecting slight forward progress for EB-1 for all chargeability areas except China & India, EB-2 for China & India, EB-3 and Other Workers China, India, & the Philippines, and EB-5 China & Vietnam. The remainder of the priority dates remain current with per country quotas not reached.
The specific changes in the “Final Action Dates,” or priority dates, are:
- EB-1: China and India – No movement from February 22, 2017; All Other Chargeability Areas – Forward progress of one month to March 1, 2018.
- EB-2: China – Forward progress of one month, two weeks to May 15, 2016; India – Forward progress of four days to April 12, 2009.
- EB-3: China – Forward progress of three weeks to August 22, 2015; India – Forward progress of one week to July 1, 2009; Philippines – Forward progress of three months to June 1, 2018.
- Other Workers: China – Forward progress of one week to September 1, 2007; India – Forward progress of one week to July 1, 2009; Philippines – Forward progress of three months to June 1, 2018.
- EB-5: China (Non-Regional Center) – Forward progress of one week to September 22, 2014; Vietnam – Forward progress of one month to September 22, 2016.
Applicants whose priority dates are currently backlogged should review the dates below to assess whether they may be eligible to file their immigrant visa application during the month of May. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) confirmed on its website that beneficiaries of approved employment-based immigrant petitions whose priority dates become current in May 2019 should use the “Final Action Dates,” or priority dates, when filing during the month of May 2019. In the recent past during certain months, USCIS had accepted employment-based immigrant visa applications filed based on the “Dates for Filing” dates, which were typically earlier or sooner than the priority dates.
May 2019 Employment-Based Final Action Dates | ||||||||
Employment-Based Preference | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA-Mainland Born | El Salvador Guatemala Honduras |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES | VIETNAM | |
1st | Final Action Date | 01MAR18 Forward 1 Month |
22FEB17 Same |
01MAR18 Forward 1 Month |
22FEB17 Same |
01MAR18 Forward 1 Month |
01MAR18 Forward 1 Month |
01MAR18 Forward 1 Month |
2nd | Final Action Date | C | 15MAY16 Forward 1 Month 2 Weeks |
C | 16APR09 Forward 4 Days |
C | C | C |
3rd | Final Action Date | C | 22AUG15 Forward 3 Weeks |
C | 01JUL09 Forward 1 Week |
C | 01JUN18 Forward 3 Months |
C |
Other Workers | Final Action Date | C | 01SEP07 Forward 1 Week |
C | 01JUL09 Forward 1 Week |
C | 01JUN18 Forward 3 Months |
C |
5th (Non-Regional Center) | Final Action Date | C | 22SEP14 Forward 1 Week |
C | C | C | C | 22SEP16 Forward 1 Month |
5th (Regional Center) | Final Action Date | C | 22SEPT14 Forward 1 Week |
C | C | C | C | 22SEP16 Forward 1 Month |
Beneficiaries of approved employment-based immigrant visa petitions who may become eligible to file their immigrant visa applications in May should initiate preparation of these applications now with their Foster immigration attorney to plan for the earliest possible filing date in the month of May.