May 2013 Visa bulletin has been released (valid from May 1 to May 31 only). Please see below for more details.
Family Based:
| Family-Sponsored | All Charge-ability Areas Except Those Listed | CHINA- mainland born | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 01APR06 | 01APR06 | 01APR06 | 08AUG93 | 01JUN99 |
| F2A | 01MAR11 | 01MAR11 | 01MAR11 | 01FEB11 | 01MAR11 |
| F2B | 15MAY05 | 15MAY05 | 15MAY05 | 01MAY93 | 08SEP02 |
| F3 | 08AUG02 | 08AUG02 | 08AUG02 | 01APR93 | 22OCT92 |
| F4 | 01MAY01 | 01MAY01 | 01MAY01 | 08SEP96 | 01OCT89 |
Employment Based:
| Employment- Based | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | CHINA- mainland born | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| 1st | C | C | C | C | C |
| 2nd | C | 15MAY08 | 01SEP04 | C | C |
| 3rd | 01DEC07 | 01DEC07 | 22DEC02 | 01DEC07 | 15SEP06 |
| Other Workers | 01DEC07 | 01SEP03 | 22DEC02 | 01DEC07 | 15SEP06 |
| 4th | C | C | C | C | C |
| Certain Religious Workers | C | C | C | C | C |
| 5th Targeted Employment Areas/ Regional Centers and Pilot Programs |
C | C | C | C | C |
Link: http://travel.state.gov/visa/bulletin/bulletin_5927.html
May 2013 Demand Data (with updated analysis): http://blog.mygcvisa.com/2013/04/demand-data-for-may-2013-visa-bulletin.html
April 2013 Visa Bulletin: http://blog.mygcvisa.com/2013/03/visa-bulletin-april-2013.html
Recommended Reading:
Please click here for latest immigration news or see the right side menu for the latest analysis, news stories and other useful FAQ or USCIS links -->
EB3ROW jumps to Dec 1 2007 - as per voice message Awesome - As I expected 4-6 month jump.
ReplyDeleteThat is really awesome.
DeleteHopefully the official VB have the same dates :)
is it true?? how about EB2 india
ReplyDeleteWe just posted the May 2013 VB.
DeleteWhat about EB2 India? When is it likely to see any movement? We applied in 2011 May. Is there any chance of getting the dates current in the next 2 years?
ReplyDeleteHi Akhila, thanks for posting here (since the facebook comments were getting much longer).
DeleteCurrently EB2India should reach around early 2008 by Sept 2013 VB based on EB and FB spillover. From Oct 2013 VB, EB2India will retrogress back to around Dec 2004 (or 2005).
The porting rate from EB3 India to EB2 India is using up ALL quota available to EB2 India. Hence it is unlikely that EB2 India will move much forward (if porting continues at this big rate). It may even retrogress to Jan 2004.
If congress decides to pass immigration bills, then that would help in moving EB2 India date forward. You can find many useful links on the right side of this page (including collection of immigration bills introduced this year in congress).
Hi my Hi my PD is Oct.31.2006 EB3 Philippines. Can you give me a
ReplyDeletea good guess when I'l be current? Many thanks.
It could be around Nov 2013 or Dec 2013 VB.
DeleteI hope the new immigration reform can help me. I am an RN from the Philippines. I am holding an H1B extension which expires July 2014 and my PD is December 2007. It really frustrates me to check the VB monthly and there is only a week movement. I am almost running out of time. I would prefer to get my EB3 rather than apply for EB2 which has lots of complications. Do you think I can get my EB3 before my extension expires? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteAssuming a one week movement every month, it could take 5 years to reach the Dec 2007 date.
DeleteDid you know: If your I-140 application is approved and I485 is pending - you can extend your H1B beyond 6 years. As long I485 is pending you can keep extending H1B indefinitely.
Your lawyer (who filed the initial H1 application) can help you with extending it beyond six years.
Is there a lot of paperwork involved for the H1 sponsor company to extend beyond the 6 years? I am asking since my company's new CEO doesn't want to do all the paperwork again. My PD is November 2008 (EB3 ROW) and my H1B will expire August 31, 2013. Do you think I will become current by then and don't have to extend my H1?
DeleteThank you!
As always, below is not legal advice.
DeleteH1 Doc: I am not sure of the exact paperwork. Your company lawyer can help with that. I think it would be very close to regular paperwork for H1 renewal.
If your PD is Nov 2008, then you do not yet have EAD. Let us assume EB3 ROW dates moves to Nov 2008 in July/Aug VB. Now the current USCIS processing time is 4 months (NSC) to 7+ months (TSC).
Once your H1 expires, you will be out of status (unless you have EAD - which takes about 3 months from the date I485 is filed). Based on all this, it is recommended to renew H1. Your company lawyer should also review your complete case details and provide legal advice.
Hi Amazon,
ReplyDeleteI find this blog very helpful.
Thank you Mr/Ms Anonymous :)
DeleteHi, my priority date is 02/07/2003 eb3 India. Will I be current by next month, pl advise.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
Rough estimate is that EB3 India will move around Jan 7, 2003 in the June 2013 VB.
DeleteIt COULD be July or Aug VB before EB3 India reaches that data. Since many things changes every month, it could be faster (or slower) than the date mentioned above.
Any estimation on the number of spill overs EB2 India would get this Fiscal year ? Would it be around 20K ? (because there were additional 18K given EB category).
ReplyDeleteWe will be adding a separate post soon on how far EB2 India and other categories will go after EB/FB spillovers are applied.
Deletehi, my PD is 4th september 2008 in EB3 ROW, kindly predict for me when this date is likely to become current. i am so anxious.
ReplyDeleteanthony, kenya
Rough estimate would be Aug/Sept VB
DeleteMy PD is 6/23/2008 .. when do you think it will reach that date?
ReplyDeleteThank you so much and keep up the good work!
It will depend on the category and country
DeleteHi my priority date is 6/23/2008 (EB3 ROW), when do you think the date will be current?
ReplyDelete-ed
If the rate of current forward movement continues, it can be in Aug 2013 VB.
DeleteI guess next two or three VB's should cover all PD's in 2008. So depending where your PD are in 2008...
ReplyDeleteAll EB categories probably except EB3 India and EB3 Philippines. The demand in these two EB3 categories is currently very high.
DeleteWhat about EB-2 India? will all PDs in 2008 will be covered in the next 2-3 months for that as well?
DeleteWe will add another post on how far dates could move based on EB and FB spillovers.
DeleteThanks. It will be great if you can also add some thoughts on what will happen in the months AFTER the spillover has been consumed. So what will happen in Oct 2013? Looks like the dates will be retrogressed back to 2004? Will it again be stuck at 2004/2005 for a long time? Or will we see a stead forward movement starting from early 2008?
DeleteAppreciate your help Amazon! You're doing a great job. A lot of our important life decisions depend on these predictions ;-).
Thank you for the suggestion. We will add this in the new article.
Deletegood day! my priority date is june 2, 2007 (EB3 Philippines)when do you think it will be current? thank you for the informative article. God bless!!! :)
ReplyDeleteEB3 Philippines is predicted by Charles Oppneheim (Visa Office) to move one week per month. SO it could take many years to reach that date.
Deletehi I would like to know if PD(Sept 15,2006) falls on 15Sept06 cut off.Does it mean you are already current?
ReplyDeleteIf the visa bulletin cutoff date is at Sept 15, 2006 - then only applicants whose priority date is before that can apply (till Sept 14, 2006). Applicants with PD Sept 15 and later would have to wait for the next VB forward date movement.
DeleteHi there Amazon, I have been reading the posts and I must say you have been tremendously helpful. My PD is Jan 2, 2008 as stated in my i140 doc. I am in the EB3 Row (Nigeria). Should the VB for June hit this PD can I apply for 485 in May or it will have to be June. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteTunde
The VB is only valid in the month it falls under. So June 2013 VB would be valid from June 1 to June 30 only. So you can apply on June 1.
DeleteEB3 ROW should reach around April 2008 in the June 2013 VB.
Hello, My priority date is Dec. 15 2007. EB 3 Mexico.
ReplyDeleteWhen do you think will be current? Based on the optimistic results for May 13, VB .
It should be current in the June 2013 VB.
DeleteMy PD is 9/17/2008 EB3 ROW. Can you please give a prediction when our PD will be current?
ReplyDeleteCurrently EB3 ROW is at Dec 2007. We have no idea how many applicants + dependents are there between Aug 2007 and Sept 2008 (as per I485 pending inventory). Very rough guess is around Dec 2013 (unless EB3 ROW retrogresses in Oct 2013 VB - which is possible if a huge number of applications are received due to big forward movement).
DeleteI have a H1B and approved I-140. My PD is not current yet. I am currently in my 3rd 3 year H1B period (total of almost 9 year in H1B). Will I get a 3 year extension of my H1B again the next time I have to renew it?
ReplyDeletePer AC 21, if I140 is approved then you can renew H1 indefinitely. In your case the renewal period would typically be 3 years.
DeleteThank you!!
Deletemy PD is 4th sept 2008 as stated earlier in EB3 ROW category, my case is being followed up by an immigration attorney based in the USA. kindly tell me, if my PD becomes currrent in AUG/SEPT 2013 VB as you have predicted, what is the next thing i should do and is there a possibility that my PD can become current and i fail to get the visa, assuming i meet all the minimum requirements for getting the visa?
ReplyDeletetonny-kenya
If your PD is current, the next step is to file the i485 application. You or your lawyer can do that.
DeleteUSCIS has many checks and processes it does on each case. In case USCIS is missing some documents or documents are old, they could issue a simple RFE to your lawyer who can resubmit these docs later for USCIS to process.
What do you reckon about F4 category ?
ReplyDeleteDifferent countries would have different dates in F4 category.
DeleteHi my F4 date is September 2001 from India, what is the prediction??
ReplyDeleteF4 India is currently moving at the rate of 1 week per month. Based on your exact PD, you can do the calculation.
DeleteHi Amazon,
ReplyDeleteI applied for my sister on family based visa from India with application date 09/2001, when can they expect to have visa?
Thanks
F4 India is currently moving at the rate of 1 week per month. Based on your exact PD, you can do the calculation.
DeleteHey Amazon, your blog is very informative. Thanks for sharing your insights.
ReplyDeleteI have some renewed hope that the end is closer that I had thought with the sudden movements in the PD for EB3-ROW; the demand data looks promising as well (consistent decline over the past few months). I might be getting ahead of myself though; anyway, just wanted to get your take on whether there is any indication of possibly getting to 09 in this fiscal year. my pd is 03/2009.
GJ
Thank you GJ. There is an article specific to EB3 category. Check it out in the link below:
Deletehttp://blog.mygcvisa.com/2013/04/eb3-visa-bulletin-predictions.html
Hi!
ReplyDeleteI just recently (Apr 26) discovered this blog and find it very helpful. My PD is Jan 2009 and I came from the Philippines in H1B Category 3 Visa (VB3). When do you thing I can file my I-485?
Charles Oppenheim had predicted Eb3 Philippines to move around 1 week every month. So it could take a while to reach that date. You can file the I-485 when the PD is current in the monthly visa bulletin published by Department of State.
DeleteAmazon, thank you so much for your timely reply. However, can you please enlighten me on the Monthly Visa Statistics in the USCIS website? These are the figures I take note specifically in VB3 Philippines:
DeleteIn the Demand Data Used in the Determination of Employment Preference Cut-Off Dates (Updated 4/9/2013).. There are just 3,700 Demand Prior to Jan 1, 2007, there are no more demands prior to Jan 2005, hence all are presumed for year 2006. However, last Oct 2012, there were 5,200, hence a decrease of 1,500 Demands from Oct 2012 until April 2013.
On Demand Prior to Jan 1, 2012 In the Demand Data Used in the Determination of Employment Preference Cut-Off Dates (Updated 4/9/2013).. There are just 5,975 Demand Prior to Jan 1, 2012. However, last Oct 2012, there were 9,300, hence a decrease of 3,325 Demands from Oct 2012 until April 2013.
My follow up Questions would be:
1. What does this decreases means?
2. I can understand that they will processed visas based on Priority Dates, except current categories, then why is it that Visa Department have processed already priority dates Prior to Jan 2012? This question is just based on above figures I have taken notes and monitored in the website. And what exactly prior to Jan 2012 are processed? I am just concerned because my PD is Jan 2009, and I presumed that my PD is included in Prior to Jan 1, 2012. And Visa Issuance is just showing PD Sep 15, 2006.
Thank you so much for taking time in answering this questions.
Sincerely, Mrs. FGYbanez
Checkout the analysis of May 2013 Demand Data:
Deletehttp://blog.mygcvisa.com/2013/04/analysis-may-2013-demand-data.html
It will help answer your questions.
If not, please feel free to ask any unanswered questions. :)
It could be a combination of demand destruction, EB3 to EB2 porting, USCIS cleaning up data, USCIS rejecting cases, etc
Thank you so much Amazon for well thought answers and the link. Your dedication to give insights is amazing, Your blog is also awesome, educational and informative! Keep up the good works.
DeleteThank you. Please feel free to tell your friends/family about this blog. It may also help them understand how USCIS and other agencies work "behind the scenes" :)
DeleteI have an approved I-140 and has a PD of Nov 2008. I just keep on renewing my H1B every 3 years.
ReplyDelete1.)What would it take if I want to change employers? I am looking into buying/taking over a business here
2.)I am a Veterinarian, should I be under EB3 or EB2?
1. To change employers, you just need to file H1 transfer application.
Delete2. H1 visa does not allow you to work for any other business, other than sponsoring company. You are however allowed to passively invest in other companies.
3. EB2 or EB3 category depends on the exact job description. Some jobs requires masters degree to qualify. USCIS also considers EB3 + 5 years experience as equivalent to EB2. Hence if you are working in EB3 for over 5 years, you can port to EB2.
Thank you so much for your timely response. I will be in this company 5 years in July. Do you have to base it on when you started with the company or when you filed the I-140? What procedures need to be taken to move to EB2 since I don't have a lawyer, doing it on my own.
ReplyDeleteThe 5 years experience date is based on when you started working for the company.
DeleteCheckout USCIS criteria for EB2 application:
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=816a83453d4a3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=816a83453d4a3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD
how much longer for f2b, priority date is July 12, 1993?
ReplyDeleteI am guessing you are F2b Mexico. It is possible for VB to reach that date around July or August VB
DeleteThank you so much!!! GB.
DeleteMY PD is 03/March/2003 EB3 India...When can I expect my GC?
ReplyDeleteThis article would help:
Deletehttp://blog.mygcvisa.com/2013/04/eb3-visa-bulletin-predictions.html
hey my eb3 file apply may,2013 when will it become in process....
ReplyDeletehow much time it take???????.....
Different countries have different dates. See this post:
Deletehttp://blog.mygcvisa.com/2013/04/eb3-visa-bulletin-predictions.html
My PD is May 9th 2001 in F4 category in "All Chargability areas" When will it be processed currently?
ReplyDeleteMost likely in June or July visa bulletin.
DeleteHi Amazon,
ReplyDeleteMy mother is a green card holder and want to visit back home. how long can she stay without any trouble?
Please see this article: http://lawandborder.com/?p=2355
DeleteThanks..
DeleteMY PD IS OCT 2012 AND I AM FROM MEXICO. WHEN DO YOU THINK MY CURRENT DATE WILL BE?
ReplyDeleteWe are waiting for updated data from Visa office. Currently it is not possible to estimate that date.
DeleteEB3 CATEGORY, MY PD IS OCT 2011, I AM FROM MEXICO. WHAT IS MY PREDICTIONS?
ReplyDeleteWe are waiting for updated data from Visa office. Currently it is not possible to estimate that date.
DeleteHello Amazon,
ReplyDeleteYou're blogs are extremely helpful. God bless you!.
I was wondering when would EB2 India (PD: oct, 2007) becomes available. I've filed an I824 for my wife to come to US.It will be approved only when my date is current.
Thanks
It should reach that date in the next 2-3 VB.
DeleteHi, this is great and super informative. I have PD of Oct 2008, EB3 India. What will be my expected date becoming current as the immigration laws stand now.
ReplyDeleteWhat will it be under current proposed reform bill under vote?