March 18, 2008

April Visa Bulletin Shows Availability for EB-2 India Category and Significant Movement in EB-3 Mexico, Philippines and Worldwide Categories

The Department of State has published the April Visa Bulletin which shows that visa numbers continue to be current for all employment-based first preference filing. In addition, the visa numbers for Indian nationals in the employment-based second preference (EB-2) category have become available again, after having been unavailable since January 2008. The availability under the second preference category for Indian nationals is based on a projection that all visa numbers available in the EB-2 category will not be used during the fiscal year, therefore, they are made available to all applicants within the category, regardless of per country quotas. It is expected that this category will be closely monitored and availability may be curtailed in coming months. Visa numbers in the EB-2 category for Mexico, the Philippines and all other chargeability areas have remained current, however, the EB-2 category for Chinese nationals has not advanced.

There was significant movement in the EB-3 category for the Philippines, advancing six months to a July 1, 2005, as well as in the Worldwide EB-3 category, which advanced 6 months to July 1, 2005. Mexico also showed significant movement in the EB-3 category, moving to October 1, 2001 from May 1, 2001 in the March visa bulletin. The employment-based third preference (EB-3) category for China and India showed marginal movement by advancing two months from December 1, 2002 to February 8, 2003 and August 1, 2001 to October 1, 2001, respectively.

GT will continue to provide updates on visa availability. The April 2008 Visa Bulletin can be found at: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/bulletin/bulletin_4177.html.