The Visa Bulletin is a government publication issued by the U.S. Department of State (DOS), with the primary purpose of providing an updated list of available immigrant numbers for immigrants subject to the immigrant quota system. Cut off dates on the Visa Bulletin move forward with time, but sometimes we see these dates retrogress. Demand for visa numbers with a variety of priority dates can fluctuate from month to month, creating an impact on the cut-off dates. Visa retrogressions may occur when more foreign nationals apply for a visa in a particular category or country than there are visas available for that month. Retrogressions typically occur toward the end of the fiscal year as visa issuance approaches the annual category or country limitations. Priority dates that meet the cut-off date one month may not meet the cut-off date the next month.
As we approach the end of Fiscal Year 2015, USCIS releases its final Visa Bulletin for September 2015. We see significant retrogressions for the employment-based, second preference (EB-2) category for individuals from China and India, moving back to January 1, 2006. This retrogression moves more than seven years backwards for China, and two years backwards for India. All other EB-2 categories will remain current. When the new fiscal year begins on October 1, 2015, a new supply of visas may be made available and return the dates to where they were before the retrogression occurred. However, this is not always the case.
For EB-3 professionals and skilled workers, we will see a slight advance all around. The EB-3 cutoff date for the worldwide chargeability moves by one month to August 15, 2015, which is virtually current. EB-3 holders from China, India, and the Philippines will move ahead by half a year to December 22, 2004. This is particularly good news for India, as they have advanced a total of ten months in the past two months.
Please note that the August 2015 Visa Bulletin cutoff dates remain in effect until August 31, 2015. All individuals with a cutoff date that is current under the August Visa Bulletin may still be able to file an Adjustment of Status application (Form I-485) before the dates retrogress in September. Similarly, those with priority dates that will become current in September must wait until the first of the month to file their Adjustment of Status application.
September 2015 Visa Bulletin
EB-1
Current for all countries
EB-2
China: January 1, 2006
India: January 1, 2006
All other countries: Current
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
China: December 22, 2004
India: December 22, 2004
Philippines: December 22, 2004
All other countries: August 15, 2015
EB-3 Other Workers
India: December 22, 2004
China: January 1, 2004
Philippines: December 22, 2004
All other countries: August 15, 2015
EB-5
China: September 22, 2013
All other countries: Current