Visa Bulletin for May 2012
Compared with April 2012: 29 lines moved forward, 2 retrogressed, current for all countries: EB-1, EB-2, EB-4, EB-4 Religious Workers.
Final action dates
| Family | All countries | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | May 1, 2005+30 d | May 1, 2005+30 d | May 1, 2005+30 d | May 15, 1993+7 d | Jul 1, 1997+9 d |
| F2A | Nov 15, 2009+38 d | Nov 15, 2009+38 d | Nov 15, 2009+38 d | Oct 15, 2009+44 d | Nov 15, 2009+38 d |
| F2B | Feb 22, 2004+38 d | Feb 22, 2004+38 d | Feb 22, 2004+38 d | Dec 1, 1992 | Dec 8, 2001 |
| F3 | Mar 8, 2002+21 d | Mar 8, 2002+21 d | Mar 8, 2002+21 d | Jan 15, 1993 | Jul 22, 1992 |
| F4 | Dec 1, 2000+23 d | Nov 22, 2000+14 d | Dec 1, 2000+23 d | Jun 1, 1996 | Jan 22, 1989+14 d |
| Employment | All countries | China | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | Current | Current | Current | Current | Current |
| EB-2 | Current | Aug 15, 2007−32.5 mo | Aug 15, 2007−32.5 mo | Current | Current |
| EB-3 | May 1, 2006+23 d | Apr 1, 2005+31 d | Sep 8, 2002+7 d | May 1, 2006+23 d | May 1, 2006+23 d |
| EB-3 Other Workers | May 1, 2006+23 d | Apr 22, 2003 | Sep 8, 2002+7 d | May 1, 2006+23 d | May 1, 2006+23 d |
| EB-4 | Current | Current | Current | Current | Current |
| EB-4 Religious Workers | Current | Current | Current | Current | Current |
What moved
Moved forward 29
- F2AMexico+44 dOct 15, 2009
- F2AAll countries+38 dNov 15, 2009
- F2AChina+38 dNov 15, 2009
- F2AIndia+38 dNov 15, 2009
- F2APhilippines+38 dNov 15, 2009
- F2BAll countries+38 dFeb 22, 2004
- F2BChina+38 dFeb 22, 2004
- F2BIndia+38 dFeb 22, 2004
Show all 29
- EB-3China+31 dApr 1, 2005
- F1All countries+30 dMay 1, 2005
- F1China+30 dMay 1, 2005
- F1India+30 dMay 1, 2005
- F4All countries+23 dDec 1, 2000
- F4India+23 dDec 1, 2000
- EB-3All countries+23 dMay 1, 2006
- EB-3Mexico+23 dMay 1, 2006
- EB-3Philippines+23 dMay 1, 2006
- EB-3 Other WorkersAll countries+23 dMay 1, 2006
- EB-3 Other WorkersMexico+23 dMay 1, 2006
- EB-3 Other WorkersPhilippines+23 dMay 1, 2006
- F3All countries+21 dMar 8, 2002
- F3China+21 dMar 8, 2002
- F3India+21 dMar 8, 2002
- F4China+14 dNov 22, 2000
- F4Philippines+14 dJan 22, 1989
- F1Philippines+9 dJul 1, 1997
- F1Mexico+7 dMay 15, 1993
- EB-3India+7 dSep 8, 2002
- EB-3 Other WorkersIndia+7 dSep 8, 2002
What the State Department said
Retrogression of the China-mainland and India employment second preference cut-off dateDue to the rapid forward movement of the cut-off date, demand for China and India Employment Second preference numbers has increased dramatically during recent months, and at a much faster rate than had been expected. Therefore, it has been necessary to retrogress that cut-off date to August 15, 2007 in an attempt to hold number use within the annual limit while maintaining availability for those countries that have not yet reached their per-country limit. Notices were included in the November, January, and February Visa Bulletins alerting readers to the possibility of such a retrogression. While corrective action has become necessary earlier than was anticipated based on the information available at the time cut-off dates were determined, it is hoped that readers are not caught off guard by this retrogression.
Should additional information regarding potential demand become available, it may be necessary to take additional corrective action at any time.
Every effort will be made to return the China and India Employment Second preference cut-off date to the previously announced April date of May 1, 2010. This will be done as quickly as possible under the FY-2013 annual limits, which take effect October 1, 2012. It will not be possible to speculate on the cut-off date which may apply at that time until late summer.
USCIS has indicated that it will continue accepting China and India Employment Second preference I-485 filings based on the originally announced April cut-off date.
Visa availability in the coming monthsFAMILY-sponsored categories (monthly)
Worldwide dates:
F1:
four to six weeks
F2A:
up to two and one half months
Released Apr 6, 2012. Official text: travel.state.gov.
Archive
Source: U.S. Department of State, Visa Bulletin (travel.state.gov), every monthly bulletin since 2003, parsed by 77.today. A bulletin can be revised after release; the State Department's page is the binding text. Not legal advice.