The Department of State (DOS) has issued its January 2018 Visa Bulletin. Most notably, there has been steady advancement for the priority dates for EB-2 and EB-3 for China and India. The priority dates for EB-1 worldwide have remained current since the October 2017 Visa Bulletin.
EB-1-Worldwide: Priority dates are current.
EB-2-Worldwide: Priority dates are current, except:
China: Priority date of August 8, 2013 (Advancement of 38 days)
India: Priority date of November 22, 2008 (Advancement of 21 days)
EB-3-Worldwide: Priority dates are current, except:
China: Priority date of April 15, 2014 (Advancement of 38 days)
India: Priority date of November 1, 2006 (Advancement of 17 days)
Philippines: Priority date of February 15, 2016 (Advancement of 31 days)
USCIS ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS DATES
If USCIS determines that there are more immigrant visas available for a fiscal year than there are known applicants for such visas, the USCIS will state on www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo that you may use the Dates for Filing Visa Applications chart in the Department of State January 2018 Visa Bulletin. Otherwise, USCIS will indicate on their web site that you must use the Application Final Action Dates chart to determine when you may file your adjustment of status application in the United States. Currently, as of this publication, the USCIS has not determined which chart to use for January 2018. The dates listed above are the Application Final Action Dates.
Check-In with Charlie Oppenheim
There is no January 2018 analysis or predictions from Charlie Oppenheim, Chief of Visa Control and Reporting Division for the U.S. Department of State (DOS). Charlie Oppenheim is responsible for analyzing and predicting immigrant preference categories. SW Law Group will post any updated analysis and predictions from Charlie Oppenheim if such information is released this month.
Please contact SW Law Group if you have any further questions regarding these developments.