Visa Bulletin Employment-based Preferences Cut-off Dates

oWThe Visa Bulletin, published by United States Department of State, summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers each month.

Employment-based Visa allocation

Section 201 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) sets an annual minimum family-sponsored preference limit of 226,000. The worldwide level for annual employment-based preference immigrants is at least 140,000. Section 202 prescribes that the per-country limit for preference immigrants is set at 7% of the total annual family-sponsored and employment-based preference limits, i.e., 25,620. The dependent area limit is set at 2%, or 7,320.[1]

The employment-based preferences are defined as follows:

First – Priority Workers

  • 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required for fourth and fifth preferences.

Second – Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability

  • 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required by first preference.

Third – Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers

  • 28.6% of the worldwide level, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences, not more than 10,000 of which to "Other Workers". Section 203(e) of the Nicaraguan and Central American Relief Act (NACARA) passed by Congress in November 1997, as amended by Section 1(e) of Public Law 105-139, reduces this number by up to 5,000 annually beginning in the fiscal year 2002.

Fourth – Certain Special Immigrants

  • 7.1% of the worldwide level.

Fifth – Employment Creation

  • 7.1% of the worldwide level, not less than 3,000 of which reserved for investors in a targeted rural or high-unemployment area, and 3,000 set aside for investors in regional centers by Sec. 610 of Public Law 102-395.[2]

Employment-based Visa retrogression

In the early 2000s, "accounting problems" between USCIS's processing of LPR adjustments of status in the United States and Bureau of Consular Affairs (BCA), Department of State processing of LPR Visas abroad became apparent. Most employment-based LPRs are adjusting status from within the United States rather than being admitted to the United States from abroad. BCA is dependent on USCIS for current processing data on which to allocate the Visa numbers and calculate the employment-based Visa priority dates. Therefore, DOS may understate the actual number of approved petitions if USCIS does not forward "adjusting" LPR petitions to the National Visa Center in advance of BCA reaching the Visa priority date for each month.[3]

When the Visa priority dates move backward in time rather than forward, the phenomenon is known as Visa retrogression. Visa retrogression occurs when more people apply for a Visa in a particular category or country than there are Visas available.[3]

This can result from problems in forwarding approved petitions to the National Visa Center in a timely manner. To cite one example, the Visa Bulletin for September 2005 offered this explanation for Visa retrogression:[3]

The backlog reduction efforts of both Citizenship and Immigration Services, and the Department of Labor continue to result in very heavy demand for Employment-based numbers. It is anticipated that the amount of such cases will be sufficient to use all available numbers in many categories ... demand in the Employment categories is expected to be far in excess of the annual limits, and once established, cut-off date movements are likely to be slow.

— U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Visa Bulletin, September 2005

The most substantial Visa retrogression occurred in July 2007. The Visa Bulletin for July 2007 listed the Visa priority dates as "current" for the employment-based preferences (except for the unskilled other worker category). On July 2, 2007, however, the State Department issued an Update to July Visa Availability that retrogressed the dates to "unavailable." The State Department offered the following explanation: "The sudden backlog reduction efforts by Citizenship and Immigration Services Offices during the past month have resulted in the use of almost 60,000 Employment numbers.... Effective Monday July 2, 2007 there will be no further authorizations in response to requests for Employment-based preference cases." Visas in the employment-based categories were unavailable until the beginning of FY2008. Reportedly, USCIS now forwards all approved petitions to the National Visa Center, with the notable exception of those who would clearly be adjusting status within the United States.[3]

An additional Visa retrogression occurred in October 2015. DOS released a revised Visa Bulletin for October 2015, in which it stated that after consultation with DHS, some of the dates for filing applications had been adjusted to "better reflect a timeframe justifying immediate action in the application process." With regard to employment-based preference categories, the retrogression affected the 2nd preference category for petitions from India and China.[3]

Historical data

This page tracks the Employment-based Preferences cut-off date movements for all oversubscribed countries and rest of the world.

Fiscal year 2019

Final action dates

Month/Year E1 E2 E3/EW E4 Religious E5 (Non-Regional)
China

India

 ROW ChinaIndia China

(E3)

 China

(EW)

 India Philippines Mexico El Salvador

Guatemala

Honduras

 El Salvador

Guatemala

Honduras

 Mexico China Vietnam
Sep 2019
Aug 2019
Jul 2019
Jun 2019
May 2019
April 2019
Mar 2019
Feb 2019
Jan 2019
Dec 2018
Nov 2018 01JUN16 01APR17 15MAY15 26MAR09 01JUN15 01MAY07 01JAN09 08JUN17 22NOV16 15FEB16 15FEB16 22NOV16 15AUG14 01JAN16
Oct 2018 01APR15 01JUN17 Unavailable

*ROW - Rest of World

Dates for filing

Month/Year E1 E2 E3/EW E4/Religious E5
ROW China

India

 China India China

(E3)

 China

(EW)

 India Philippines El Salvador

Guatemala

Honduras

 China
Sep 2019
Aug 2019
Jul 2019
Jun 2019
May 2019
April 2019
Mar 2019
Feb 2019
Jan 2019
Dec 2018
Nov 2018 01JUN18 01OCT17 15JUN15 22MAY09 08AUG15 01JUN08 01OCT09 01JUL17 01MAY16 01MAY16
Oct 2018 01OCT14

Fiscal year 2018

Final action dates

Month/Year E1 E2 E3/EW E4 Religious E5 (Non-Regional)
China

India

 Rest of the

world

 ChinaIndia Rest of the

world

 China

(E3)

 China

(EW)

 IndiaPhilippines Rest of the

world

 Mexico El Salvador

Guatemala

Honduras

 India Mexico El Salvador

Guatemala

Honduras

 India China Vietnam
Sep 2018[4] 01JAN12 01MAY16 01JAN13 01JAN07 01JAN13 01NOV14 01MAY0701JAN03 01NOV16 15FEB16 08AUG14
Aug 2018[5] 01MAR15 15MAR09 Current 01JUL1401JAN09 01JUN17 Current 08FEB16 01AUG14
Jul 2018[6] Current01JAN1501JAN1301NOV08 01JAN17 08FEB16 Current 08FEB16 Current
Jun 2018[7]01SEP14 26DEC0801JUN15 01MAY08 22OCT16 15DEC15 22OCT16 15DEC15
May 2018[8] 22DEC08 22JUL14 22JUL14
April 2018[9]01AUG14 01APR0701FEB08 08AUG16 Unavailable Current
Mar 2018[10] Current08DEC1315DEC0815NOV14 01MAR0701JAN07 01MAY16 01JUL16 01DEC15 01JUL16 01DEC15 Current
Feb 2018[11]01OCT1308DEC0815SEP14 01FEB0701DEC06 01MAR16 22JUN16 Unavailable
Jan 2018[12]08AUG1322NOV0815APR14 22DEC0601NOV06 15FEB16 01JUN16
Dec 2017[13]01JUL1301NOV0808MAR14 01JUL0615OCT06 15JAN16 22APR16 08NOV15 Current 15JUL14
Nov 2017[14]15JUN13 08OCT0801FEB14 01APR06 01APR16 01NOV15 01JUL14
Oct 2017[15]22MAY13 15SEP0801JAN14 01JAN06 01DEC15 01MAR16 22JUN14

Dates for filing

Month/Year E2 E3/EW E4/Religious E5
ChinaIndiaChina

(E3)

 China

(EW)

 IndiaPhilippines El Salvador

Guatemala

Honduras

 China
Sep 2018 01APR15 22MAY09 01JAN16 01JUN08 01MAY09 01JUL17 01MAY16 01OCT14
Aug 2018
Jul 2018
Jun 201801FEB15 01APR09 01SEP08 15APR16 01SEP14
May 2018
April 201808FEB0901APR08
Mar 201801JAN08 01OCT16
Feb 201815NOV1401AUG16
Jan 201815NOV1301SEP15 01OCT14
Dec 2017
Nov 2017[14]01OCT13
Oct 2017[15]

Fiscal year 2017

USCIS has determined that for the month of October 2016, applicants for all family-sponsored and employment-based preferences may use the Dates for Filing Visa Applications chart, except for certain employment-based fourth preference (EB-4) non-minister religious workers and for employment-based fifth preference (EB-5) Regional Center Program participants. These two groups must use the Application Final Action Dates chart.[16]

Application final action dates and dates For filing Visa applications

Month/YearE1E2E3/EWE4/SRE5
Rest of the world China India Philippines Rest of worldChinaIndia PhilippinesRest of worldChina (E3)China (EW)IndiaPhilippinesRest of worldMexicoEl Salvador, Guatemala, HondurasRest of worldChina
Sep 2017[17] FinalCurrent 01JAN12 01JAN12 Current 01JAN16 15MAY13 22AUG08 01JAN16 Current 01JAN12 15OCT06 01NOV15 Current 22OCT15 Current 15JUN14
FilingCurrent Current 01OCT13 01FEB09 Current 01SEP15 01JAN07 01JAN16 Current 01SEP14
Aug 2017[18] FinalCurrent 01JAN12 01JAN12 Current01APR15 22Apr1322Jul08 01APR15Current 01Jan1215Jul0601JUN15 Current 15SEP15 Current 15JUN14
FilingCurrent Current 01OCT13 01Feb09 Current01SEP15 01Jan0701JAN16 Current 01SEP14
Jul 2017[19] FinalCurrent 01Jan12 01Jan12 CurrentCurrent22Mar1322Jul08 Current08Jun1701Jan1215Feb06 15May14Current 15AUG15 Current 08JUN14
FilingCurrent01Oct1301Feb09 Current01Sep15 01Oct06 01Jul15Current 01SEP14
Jun 2017[20] Final Current01Mar13 01Jul08 Current 01Oct14 15Jul06 15May05
Filing 01OCT13 01FEB09 01SEP15 22APR06
May 2017[21] Final Current08Feb1322Jun08 Current01Oct1408Mar0601Jun14
Filing 01Oct1301Feb0901Sep15
April 2017[22] Final Current15Jan13 22JUN08 Current 15Aug14 24MAR05
Filing 22APR09 01JUL05
Mar 2017[23] FinalCurrent Current Current 15DEC1201JUN08 Current01DEC16 15MAR1401FEB0622MAR05 15MAR12 01MAY14
Filing 01MAR13 22APR09 01MAY14 01JUL05
Feb 2017[24] FinalCurrent CurrentCurrent15NOV1215APR08 Current01OCT1601OCT1301DEC0522MAR0515OCT11Current15JUL15Current15APR14
Filing 01MAR1322APR09Current01MAY1401AUG0901JUL0501SEP13CurrentCurrent15JUN14
Jan 2017[25] FinalCurrent CurrentCurrent15OCT1215APR08 Current01AUG1608SEP1301DEC0515MAR0522JUL11Current15JUL15Current08APR14
Filing 01MAR1322APR09Current01MAY1401AUG0901JUL0501SEP13CurrentCurrent15JUN14
Dec 2016[26] FinalCurrent CurrentCurrent22SEP1201FEB08 Current01JUL1601JUL1301NOV0515MAR0501JUN11Current 15JUL15Current22MAR14
Filing 01MAR1322APR09Current01MAY1401AUG0901JUL0501SEP13CurrentCurrent15JUN14
Nov 2016[27] FinalCurrent CurrentCurrent15JUL1201NOV07 Current01JUL1615APR1301SEP0508MAR0501APR11Current 15JUL15Current08MAR14
Filing 01MAR1322APR09Current01MAY1401AUG0901JUL0501SEP13CurrentCurrent15JUN14
Oct 2016[28] FinalCurrent CurrentCurrent15FEB1215JAN07 Current01JUN1622JAN1301JAN0501MAR0501DEC10Current / Unavailable15JUN15Current / Unavailable22FEB14
Filing 01MAR1322APR09Current01MAY1401AUG0901JUL0501SEP13CurrentCurrent15JUN14

Fiscal year 2016

A significant change in FY 2016 of Visa bulletin is the separation of "Application Final Action Dates" and "Dates For Filing Applications". USCIS, in coordination with DOS, revised the procedures for determining Visa availability for applicants waiting to file for adjustment of status. The revised process is claimed to better align with procedures DOS uses for foreign nationals who seek to become U.S. permanent residents by applying for immigrant Visas at U.S. consulates and embassies abroad.[29]

The October 2015 Visa bulletin was revised on September 25, 2015.

Application final action dates

Month/YearE1E2E3/EWE4/SRE5
Rest of worldChina, IndiaRest of worldChinaIndiaRest of worldChina (E3)China (EW)IndiaPhilippinesRest of worldIndiaMexicoEl Salvador, Guatemala, HondurasRest of worldChina
Sep 2016[30] Current01JAN1001FEB1401JAN1022FEB0501MAY1601JAN1001JAN0415FEB0501JUL10Current01JAN10Current15FEB14
Aug 2016[31] Current01JAN1001FEB1401JAN1015NOV0415MAR1601JAN1001JAN0408NOV0415MAY09Current01JAN10Current15FEB14
Jul 2016[32] CurrentCurrent01JAN1001NOV0401MAR1601JAN1001JAN0422OCT0415FEB09Current01JAN10Current15FEB14
June 2016[33] CurrentCurrent01JAN1001OCT0415FEB1601JAN1022APR0722SEP0401NOV08Current01JAN10Current15FEB14
May 2016[34] CurrentCurrent01SEP1222NOV0815FEB1615AUG1322APR0701SEP0408AUG08Current01JAN10Current08FEB14
April 2016[35] CurrentCurrent01SEP1208NOV0815FEB1615AUG1301MAR0708AUG0401MAY08CurrentCurrent01FEB14
March 2016[36] CurrentCurrent01AUG1215OCT0801JAN1601JUN1301FEB0715JUL0415MAR08CurrentCurrent22JAN14
February 2016[37] CurrentCurrent01MAR1201AUG0801OCT1501OCT1222DEC0615JUN0408JAN08CurrentCurrent15JAN14
January 2016[38] CurrentCurrent01FEB1201FEB0801OCT1501JUL1201DEC0615MAY0401NOV07CurrentCurrentUnavailable
December 2015[39] CurrentCurrent01FEB1201JUN0701SEP1515APR1201AUG0622APR0401AUG07CurrentCurrent15DEC13
November 2015[40] CurrentCurrent01FEB1201AUG0615AUG1501JAN1201APR0601APR0415JUN07CurrentCurrent22NOV13
October 2015[41] CurrentCurrent01JAN1201MAY0515AUG1515OCT1101JAN0608MAR0401JAN07CurrentCurrent08OCT13

Dates For filing applications

Notes: the dates below are never used for application acceptance purpose by USCIS throughout the fiscal year.[42]

Month/YearE1E2E3/EWE4/SRE5
Rest of worldChinaIndiaRest of worldChina (E3)China (EW)IndiaPhilippinesRest of worldChina
Sep 2016[30] CurrentCurrent01JUN1301JUL09Current01MAY1501AUG0901JUL0501JAN13CurrentCurrent01MAY15
Aug 2016[31] CurrentCurrent01JUN1301JUL09Current01MAY1501AUG0901JUL0501JAN13CurrentCurrent01MAY15
Jul 2016[32] CurrentCurrent01JUN1301JUL09Current01MAY1501AUG0901JUL0501JAN10CurrentCurrent01MAY15
June 2016[33] CurrentCurrent01JUN1301JUL09Current01MAY1501AUG0901JUL0501JAN10CurrentCurrent01MAY15
May 2016[34] CurrentCurrent01JUN1301JUL09Current01MAY1501APR0801JUL0501JAN10CurrentCurrent01MAY15
April 2016[35] CurrentCurrent01JUN1301JUL09Current01MAY1501AUG0701JUL0501JAN10CurrentCurrent01MAY15
March 2016[36] CurrentCurrent01JUN1301JUL09Current01MAY1501FEB0715JUL0415MAR08CurrentCurrent01MAY15
February 2016[37] CurrentCurrent01MAR1201JUL0901JAN1601OCT1222DEC0615JUN0408JAN08CurrentCurrent01MAY15
January 2016[38] CurrentCurrent01FEB1201JUL0901OCT1501JUL1201DEC0615MAY0401NOV07CurrentCurrent01MAY15
December 2015[39] CurrentCurrent01FEB1201JUL0901SEP1515APR1201AUG0622APR0401AUG07CurrentCurrent01MAY15
November 2015[40] CurrentCurrent01JAN1301JUL0901SEP1501OCT1301JAN0701JUL0501JAN10CurrentCurrent01MAY15
October 2015[41] CurrentCurrent01JAN1301JUL0901SEP1501OCT1301JAN0701JUL0501JAN10CurrentCurrent01MAY15

Notes for fiscal year 2016

    Fiscal year 2015

    Month/YearE1E2E3/EWE4/SRE5
    Rest of worldChinaIndiaRest of worldChina (E3)China (EW)IndiaPhilippines
    Sep 2015[43] CurrentCurrent01JAN0601JAN0615AUG1522DEC0401JAN0422DEC0422DEC04CurrentCurrent
    Aug 2015[44] CurrentCurrent15DEC1301OCT0815JUL1501JUN0401JAN0401JUN0401JUN04CurrentCurrent
    Jul 2015[45] CurrentCurrent01OCT1301OCT0801APR1501SEP1101JAN0601FEB04UnavailableCurrentCurrent
    June 2015[46] CurrentCurrent01JUN1301OCT0815FEB1501SEP1101JAN0622JAN0401JAN05CurrentCurrent
    May 2015[47] CurrentCurrent01JUN1215APR0801JAN1501MAY1115NOV0515JAN0401JUL07CurrentCurrent
    April 2015[48] CurrentCurrent01APR1101SEP0701OCT1401JAN11 [fy15-note 1]15AUG0508JAN0401OCT14CurrentCurrent
    March 2015[49] CurrentCurrent01SEP1001JAN0701JUN1422OCT1115AUG0501JAN0401JUN14CurrentCurrent
    February 2015[50] CurrentCurrent15MAR1001SEP05[fy15-note 2]01JAN1401SEP1115AUG0522DEC0301JAN14CurrentCurrent
    January 2015[51] CurrentCurrent01FEB1015FEB0501JUN1301MAR1122JUL0515DEC0301JUN13CurrentCurrent
    December 2014[52] CurrentCurrent01JAN1015FEB0501NOV1201JUN1022JUL0501DEC0301NOV12CurrentCurrent
    November 2014[53] CurrentCurrent08DEC0915FEB0501JUN1201JAN1022AUG0522NOV0301DEC11CurrentCurrent
    October 2014[54] CurrentCurrent15NOV0901MAY0901OCT1101APR0922JUL0515NOV0301OCT11CurrentCurrent

    Notes for fiscal year 2015

    1. ↑ Notes from Section D of Visa Bulletin For April 2015:[48] Visa availability' Employment third, China
      China Employment-based third Preference: The cut-off date for this category was advanced very rapidly during the past seven months, in an attempt to generate demand to ensure that all numbers under the annual limit could be made available. Item E in the November 2014 Visa Bulletin notified readers that this rapid movement could require "corrective" action as early as February, once demand began to materialize.Continued heavy demand by applicants with very early priority dates has required a retrogression of this cut-off date for the month of April, to hold number use within the annual numerical limit. Potential forward movement of this cut-off date during the remainder of the fiscal year is dependent on the amount of demand received for applicants with very early priority dates.. . .
    2. ↑ Notes from Section D of Visa Bulletin For February 2015:[50] Visa availability' Employment Second, India: INDIA Employment-based Second Preference:Four to six months,The above projections for the Employment categories indicate what is likely to happen on a monthly basis through May based on current applicant demand patterns. Readers should never assume that recent trends in cut-off date movements are guaranteed for the future, or that "corrective" action will not be required at some point in an effort to maintain number use within the applicable annual limits. The determination of the actual monthly cut-off dates is subject to monthly fluctuations in applicant demand and a number of other variables. . .

    Fiscal year 2014

    Month/YearE1E2E3/EWE4/SRE5
    Rest of worldChinaIndiaRest of worldChina (E3)China (EW)IndiaPhilippines
    Sep 2014[55] CurrentCurrent08OCT0901MAY09 [fy14-note 1]01APR1101NOV0822JUL0508NOV0301APR11CurrentCurrent
    Aug 2014[56] CurrentCurrent08OCT0922JAN09 [fy14-note 2]01APR1101NOV0822JUL0508NOV0301JUN10CurrentCurrent
    Jul 2014[57] CurrentCurrent01JUL0901SEP0801APR1101OCT0601JAN0301NOV0301JAN09CurrentCurrent
    June 2014[46] CurrentCurrent22MAY0915NOV0401APR1101OCT0601JAN0315OCT0301JAN08CurrentCurrent
    May 2014[58] CurrentCurrent15APR0915NOV0401OCT1201OCT1201OCT1201OCT0301NOV07CurrentCurrent
    April 2014[59] CurrentCurrent08MAR0915NOV0401OCT1201OCT1201OCT1215SEP0315JUN07CurrentCurrent
    March 2014[60] CurrentCurrent15FEB0915NOV0401SEP1201SEP1201SEP1215SEP0315MAY07CurrentCurrent
    February 2014[61] CurrentCurrent08JAN0915NOV0401JUN1201JUN1201JUN1201SEP0315APR07CurrentCurrent
    January 2014[62] CurrentCurrent08DEC0815NOV0401APR1201APR1201APR1201SEP0315FEB07CurrentCurrent
    December 2013[63] CurrentCurrent08NOV0815NOV0401OCT1101OCT1101OCT1101SEP0308JAN07CurrentCurrent
    November 2013[64] CurrentCurrent08OCT0815JUN0801OCT1001OCT10 [fy14-note 3]01OCT10 [fy14-note 3]22SEP0315DEC06CurrentCurrent
    October 2013[65] CurrentCurrent15SEP0815JUN0801JUL1001JUL1022SEP0422SEP0315DEC06CurrentCurrent

    Notes for fiscal year 2014

    1. ↑ Notes from Section D of Visa Bulletin For September 2014:[55] Visa availability' Employment Second, India: INDIA Employment-based Second Preference: The use of potentially "otherwise unused" Employment numbers prescribed by Section 202(a)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) has allowed the India Employment Second preference cut-off date to advance very rapidly in recent months. Continued forward movement of this cut-off date during the upcoming months cannot be guaranteed, however, and no assumptions should be made until the dates are formally announced. Once there is a significant increase in India Employment Second preference demand it will be necessary to retrogress the cut-off date, possibly as early as November, to hold number use within the fiscal year 2015 annual limit.
    2. ↑ Notes from Section D of Visa Bulletin For August 2014:[56] Visa availability' Employment Second, India: During the past two months, the India Employment Second preference cut-off date has advanced very rapidly based on the projected availability of "otherwise unused" numbers under the worldwide preference limit. It must not be assumed that this cut-off date will continue to advance at the same pace during the coming months. A cut-off date does not mean that everyone with a priority date before such cut-off date has already been processed to conclusion. It remains to be seen how heavy the demand for Visa numbers by applicants will be in the coming months, and what the priority dates of such applicants may be. Heavy demand by applicants with priority dates significantly earlier than the established cut-off date is expected to materialize within the next several months, at which time the cut-off date is likely to retrogress significantly.
    3. 1 2 Notes from Section D of Visa Bulletin For November 2013:[64]
      EMPLOYMENT-based Third Preference, China: Rapid forward movement of the cut-off date, as a result of there being insufficient demand to use all available numbers, allowed the category to reach the Worldwide Third preference cut-off date in May 2013. The continued lack of demand has allowed the "otherwise unused" numbers available under that limit to be provided for use in the China Employment Third preference Other Workers category. The continued addition of those numbers has allowed the cut-off date for that category to reach the China Third preference date for November. This is the same action which has been possible for the Other Worker category in other "oversubscribed" countries such as India and Mexico. A sudden increase in demand for China Employment Third preference Visas could require corrective action in the China Other Worker cut-off date at any time.

    Fiscal year 2013

    Month/YearE1E2E3/EWE4/SRE5
    Rest of worldChinaIndiaRest of worldChina (E3)China (EW)IndiaPhilippines
    September 2013 [66] CurrentCurrent08AUG0815JUN08 [fy13-note 1]01JUL10 [fy13-note 2]01JUL10 [fy13-note 2]15JUN04 [fy13-note 2]22SEP03 [fy13-note 2]01DEC06 [fy13-note 2]CurrentCurrent
    August 2013 [67] CurrentCurrent08AUG0801JAN08 [fy13-note 3]01JAN0901JAN0922MAR0422JAN0322OCT06CurrentCurrent
    July 2013 [68] CurrentCurrent08AUG08[fy13-note 4]01SEP04 [fy13-note 5]01JAN09 [fy13-note 6]01JAN09 [fy13-note 7]22MAR0422JAN03 [fy13-note 8]01OCT06 [fy13-note 9]CurrentCurrent
    June 2013 [69] CurrentCurrent15JUL0801SEP0401SEP08[fy13-note 10]01SEP08[fy13-note 10]22OCT0308JAN0322SEP06CurrentCurrent
    May 2013 [1]CurrentCurrent15MAY0801SEP0401DEC07[fy13-note 11]01DEC07 [fy13-note 11]01SEP0322DEC0215SEP06CurrentCurrent
    April 2013 [70] CurrentCurrent01APR0801SEP0401JUL0722APR0701AUG0308DEC0208SEP06CurrentCurrent
    March 2013 [71] CurrentCurrent15FEB0801SEP04 [fy13-note 12]01MAY0722JAN0701JUL0322NOV0201SEP06CurrentCurrent
    February 2013 [72] CurrentCurrent15JAN0801SEP0415MAR0715NOV0601JUL0315NOV0222AUG06CurrentCurrent
    January 2013 [73] CurrentCurrent08DEC0701SEP0401FEB0722SEP0601JUL0308NOV0215AUG06CurrentCurrent
    December 2012 [74] CurrentCurrent22OCT0701SEP0422DEC0601JUL0601JUL0301NOV0215AUG06CurrentCurrent [fy13-note 13]
    November 2012 [75] CurrentCurrent01SEP0701SEP0422NOV0615APR0601JUL0322OCT0208AUG06CurrentCurrent
    October 2012 [76] Current01JAN1215JUL0701SEP0422OCT0608FEB0622JUN0315OCT0222OCT06Current [fy13-note 14]Current [fy13-note 14]

    Notes for Fiscal year 2013

    1. ↑ Notes from Section D of Visa Bulletin For September 2013:[66] VISA AVAILABILITY
      Employment Second, India: This cut-off date has been advanced significantly more than originally expected, based on the projection that there would be "otherwise unused" numbers under the overall Employment Second preference annual limit. This is the result of a decrease in Employment First preference number use, and a similar decrease in Employment Second preference demand for most other countries during the past two months. It is expected that such movement will generate a very significant amount of new India demand during the coming months.
    2. 1 2 3 4 5 Notes from Section D of Visa Bulletin For September 2013:[66] Visa availability' Employment Third: The Employment-based Third preference cut-off date for most countries was advanced at an extremely rapid pace in April through July in an effort to generate demand. Historically such movements have resulted in a dramatic increase in applicant demand for numbers within a few months. At this time there is no indication that the expected increase is materializing or will do so in the near future. This has resulted in significant movements in the September cut-off for all countries.
      It is unlikely that there will be any forward movement of most Employment-based cut-off dates during the next couple of months. In addition, a sudden surge in demand could require the retrogression of a cut-off date at any time. Such action would be required if it appears that such number use could impact Visa availability under the FY-2014 annual limits.
    3. ↑ Notes from Section D of Visa Bulletin For August 2013:[67] Visa availability' Employment Second, India: This cut-off date has been advanced in an effort to fully utilize the numbers available under the overall Employment Second preference annual limit. It is expected that such movement will generate a significant amount of new India demand during the coming months.
      These changes for [...] India Employment Second preference categories reflect actions which have been taken based on current applicant demand patterns. Readers should expect that some type of "corrective" action will be required at some point during FY-2014 in an effort to maintain number use within the applicable annual limits. Such action would involve the establishment and retrogression of such cut-off dates, and could occur at any time.
    4. ↑ Notes from Section D of Visa Bulletin For July 2013:[68] Visa availability in the coming months (August – October)
      Employment Second, China: Up to two months
    5. ↑ Notes from Section D of Visa Bulletin For July 2013:[68] Visa availability in the coming months (August – October)
      Employment Second, India: At this time it appears that the availability of "otherwise unused" Employment Second preference numbers will allow for movement of this cut-off date in August and/or September. It is expected that such movement will generate heavy new applicant demand, primarily by those who are upgrading their status from the Employment Third preference category. A sustained level of heavy demand could impact the cut-off date at some point during fiscal year 2014.
    6. ↑ Notes from Section D of Visa Bulletin For July 2013:[68] Visa availability in the coming months (August – October)
      Employment Third, Worldwide: No additional movement. This cut-off date has advanced 18 months during the past three months. Such rapid movement can be expected to generate a significant amount of new demand, with the impact not being felt for three to five months. Therefore, the cut-off date will be held until it can be determined what level of demand is to be expected, and whether it is likely to be sustained.
    7. ↑ Notes from Section D of Visa Bulletin For July 2013:[68] Visa availability in the coming months (August – October)
      Employment Third, China: No additional movement.
    8. ↑ Notes from Section D of Visa Bulletin For July 2013:[68] Visa availability in the coming months (August – October)
      Employment Third, India: Up to three weeks.
    9. ↑ Notes from Section D of Visa Bulletin For July 2013:[68] Visa availability in the coming months (August – October)
      Employment Third, Philippines: Up to two weeks.
    10. 1 2 Notes from Section D of Visa Bulletin For June 2013:[69] Employment third preference Visa availability
      The Employment-based Third preference category cut-off date for most countries has advanced significantly for a second month in a row. This recent movement of the dates is not indicative of what can be expected in the future. Rapid forward movement of cut-off dates is often followed by a dramatic increase in demand for numbers within three to six months. Once such demand begins to materialize the cut-off date movement will begin to slow, or even stop for a period of time.
    11. 1 2 Notes from Section D of Visa Bulletin For May 2013:[1] Employment third preference Visa availability
      The Employment-based Third preference category cut-off date for most countries has advanced significantly. This has been done in an attempt to generate demand so that the annual numerical limits may be fully utilized, and such movements may continue for the next few months. The rapid movement of cut-off dates is often followed months later by a dramatic increase in demand for numbers. Once such demand begins to materialize the cut-off date movements will begin to slow or stop.
    12. ↑ Notes from Visa Bulletin For March 2013:[71] Despite the established cut-off date having been held for the past five months in an effort to keep demand within the average monthly usage targets, the amount of demand being received from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Offices for adjustment of status cases remains extremely high. Should the current rate of demand continue, it is likely that at some point the cut-off date will need to be retrogressed in an effort to hold demand within the FY-2013 annual limit.
    13. ↑ Note from Visa Bulletin For December 2012:[74] It appears likely that a cut-off date will need to be established for the China Employment Fifth preference category at some point during second half of fiscal year 2013. Such action would be delayed as long as possible, since while number use may be excessive over a 1- to 5-month period, it could average out to an acceptable level over a longer (e.g., 4- to 9-month) period. This would be the first time a cut-off date has been established in this category, which is why readers are being provided with the maximum amount of advance notice regarding the possibility.
    14. 1 2 Notes from Visa Bulletin for October 2012:[76] Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR): Pursuant to Section 568(a)(1) of Public Law 111-83, the non-minister special immigrant program expires on September 30, 2012. No SR Visas may be issued overseas, or final action taken on adjustment of status cases, after September 30, 2012. Visas issued prior to this date will only be issued with a validity date of September 30, 2012, and all individuals seeking admission as a non-minister special immigrant must be admitted (repeat, admitted) into the U.S. no later than midnight September 30, 2012.
      Employment Fifth Preference Pilot Categories (I5 and R5): Section 548 of Public Law 111-83 extended this immigrant investor pilot program through September 30, 2012. The I5 and R5 Visas may be issued until close of business on September 30, 2012, and may be issued for the full validity period. No I5 or R5 Visas may be issued overseas, or final action taken on adjustment of status cases, after September 30, 2012.
      The cut-off dates for the categories mentioned above have been listed as "Unavailable" for October. Congress is currently considering an extension of the SR, I5 and R5 Visa categories, but there is no certainty when such legislative action may occur. If there is legislative action extending one or both of these categories for FY-2013, those cut-off dates would immediately become "Current" for October.

    Fiscal year 2012

    Month/YearE1E2E3/EWE4/SRE5
    Rest of worldChinaIndiaRest of worldChina (E3)China (EW)India (E3)India (EW)Philippines (E3)Philippines (EW)
    September 2012 [77] Current01JAN09Unavailable01OCT0601OCT0615DEC0522JUN0301OCT0201OCT0201AUG0601AUG06CurrentCurrent
    August 2012 [78] Current01JAN09Unavailable08SEP0608SEP0608NOV0515JUN0301OCT0201OCT0215JUN0608JUN06CurrentCurrent
    July 2012 [79] Current01JAN09 [fy12-note 1]Unavailable [fy12-note 1]22JUL0622JUL0622SEP0515JUN0322SEP0222SEP0208JUN0608JUN06CurrentCurrent
    June 2012 [80] Current [fy12-note 2]Current [fy12-note 2]Unavailable [fy12-note 3]08JUN0608JUN0608AUG0522APR0315SEP0215SEP0222MAY0622MAY06CurrentCurrent
    May 2012 [81] CurrentCurrent15AUG07 [fy12-note 4]01MAY0601MAY0601APR0522APR0308SEP0208SEP0201MAY0601MAY06CurrentCurrent
    April 2012 [82] CurrentCurrent01MAY1008APR0608APR0601MAR0522APR0301SEP0201SEP0208APR0608APR06CurrentCurrent
    March 2012 [83] CurrentCurrent01MAY1015MAR0615MAR0601JAN0522APR0322AUG0222AUG0215MAR0615MAR06CurrentCurrent
    February 2012 [84] CurrentCurrent01JAN10 [fy12-note 5]22FEB0622FEB0601DEC0422APR0315AUG0215AUG0222FEB0622FEB06CurrentCurrent
    January 2012 [85] CurrentCurrent01JAN09 [fy12-note 6]01FEB0601FEB0615OCT0422APR0308AUG0201AUG0201FEB0601FEB06CurrentCurrent
    December 2011 [86] CurrentCurrent15MAR0815JAN0601JAN0608SEP0422APR0301AUG0222JUL0215JAN0601JAN06CurrentCurrent
    November 2011 [87] CurrentCurrent01NOV07 [fy12-note 7]22DEC0515NOV0522AUG0422APR0322JUL0215JUN0222DEC0501JAN06CurrentCurrent
    October 2011 [88] CurrentCurrent15JUL07 [fy12-note 8]08DEC0515SEP0508AUG0422APR0315JUL0208JUN0208DEC0515SEP05CurrentCurrent

    Notes for fiscal year 2012

    1. 1 2 Notes from Section D of Visa Bulletin For July 2012:[79] EMPLOYMENT SECOND PREFERENCE VISA AVAILABILITY
      Continued heavy demand for numbers in the Employment Second preference category has required the establishment of a Worldwide cut-off date for the month of July. This action has been taken in an effort to hold number use within the annual numerical limit. Should there be an increase in the current demand pattern, it may be necessary to make this category completely "unavailable" prior to September 30, 2012.
      The China and India Employment Second preference categories are already "unavailable", and will remain so for the remainder of the fiscal year.
    2. 1 2 Notes from Section E of Visa Bulletin For June 2012:[80] Employment first and second preference Visa availability
      Item F of the May Visa Bulletin (number 44) provided projections regarding Visa availability in the coming months. Information received from the USCIS after the publication of that item requires an update in the projections for the Employment First and Second preference categories.
      Employment First: Based on the current rate of demand, it may be necessary to establish a cut-off date at the end of the fiscal year in an effort to limit number use within the annual numerical limit.
      Employment Second: Based on the current rate of demand, it may be necessary to establish a cut-off date for this category for all countries other than China and India. Such action may be required at any time during the next few months.
      Please be advised that the above are only estimates for what could happen during the next few months based on applicant demand patterns experienced in recent months.
    3. ↑ Notes from Section D of Visa Bulletin For June 2012:[80] China-Mainland and India employment second preference category is unavailable
      Despite the retrogression of the China and India Employment Second preference cut-off date to August 15, 2007, demand for numbers by applicants with priority dates earlier than that date remained excessive. Such demand is primarily based on cases which had originally been filed with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for adjustment of status in the Employment Third preference category, and are now eligible to be upgraded to Employment Second preference status. The potential amount of such "upgrade" demand is not currently being reported, but it was evident that the continued availability of Employment Second preference numbers for countries other than China and India was being jeopardized. Therefore, it was necessary to make the China and India Employment Second preference category "Unavailable" in early April, and it will remain so for the remainder of FY-2012.
      Numbers will once again be available for China and India Employment Second preference cases beginning October 1, 2012 under the FY-2013 annual numerical limitations. Every effort will be made to return the China and India Employment Second preference cut-off date to the May 1, 2010 date which had been reached in April 2012. Readers should be advised that it is impossible to accurately estimate how long that may take, but current indications are that it would definitely not occur before spring 2013.
      USCIS has indicated that it will continue accepting China and India Employment Second preference I-485 filings during May, based on the originally announced May cut-off date.
    4. ↑ Notes from Section D of Visa Bulletin for May 2012:[81] Retrogression of the China-Mainland and India employment second preference cut-off date
      Due 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.
    5. ↑ Notes from Section D of Visa Bulletin for February 2012:[84] Visa availability in the coming months
      China and India: Reports from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) indicate that the rate of new filings for adjustment of status in recent months has been extremely low. This fact has required the continued rapid forward movement of the cut-off date, in an attempt to generate demand and maximize number use under the annual limit. Once the level of new filings or USCIS processing increases significantly, it will be necessary to slow or stop the movement of the cut-off. Readers are once again advised that an eventual need to retrogress the cut-off date is also a distinct possibility.
    6. ↑ Notes from Section D of Visa Bulletin for January 2012:[85] China-Mainland and India employment second preference Visa availability in the coming months
      The China and India Employment Second preference cut-off date has been advanced at a rapid rate in recent months. As previously noted, this action was intended to generate significant levels of new filings for adjustment of status at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offices. USCIS has reported that the rate of new filings is currently far below that which they had anticipated, prompting an even more aggressive movement of the cut-off date for January and possibly beyond. While this action greatly increases the potential for an eventual retrogression of the cut-off at some point during the year, it also provides the best opportunity to utilize all numbers available under the annual limit.
    7. ↑ Notes from Section D of Visa Bulletin for November 2011:[87] China-Mainland born and India employment-based second preference Visa availability in the coming months
      The November Employment-based Second preference cut-off date for applicants from China and India is the most favorable since August 2007. This advancement is expected to generate significant levels of demand based on new filings for adjustment of status at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services offices. While significant future cut-off date movements are anticipated, they may not be made on a monthly basis. Readers should not expect such movements to be the norm throughout the fiscal year, and an eventual retrogression of the cut-off at some point during the year is a distinct possibility.
    8. ↑ Notes from Section D of Visa Bulletin for October 2011:[88] Visa availability in the coming months
      China and India: The current cut-off date is approaching the most favorable date previously reached for applicants from China and India. The rapid forward movement is intended to generate demand based on new filings for adjustment of status at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services offices, which currently accounts for over 85% of all Employment-based number use. Once the level of demand increases sufficiently, it may be necessary to slow or stop the cut-off movement, and a retrogression of the cut-offs at some point during the year is a distinct possibility.

    Fiscal year 2011

    Month/YearE1E2E3/EWE4/SRE5
    Rest of worldChinaIndiaRest of world (E3)Rest of world (EW)China (E3)China (EW)India (E3)India (EW)Mexico (E3)Mexico (EW)
    September 2011[89]CurrentCurrent15APR0715APR07 22NOV0501AUG0515JUL0422APR0308JUL0201JUN0222NOV0501AUG05CurrentCurrent
    August 2011[90]CurrentCurrent15APR0715APR07 01NOV0501MAY0508JUL0422APR0301JUN0201JUN0201NOV0501MAY05CurrentCurrent
    July 2011[91]CurrentCurrent08MAR0708MAR07 08OCT0522NOV0401JUL0422APR0301MAY0201MAY0201JUL0522NOV04CurrentCurrent
    June 2011[92]CurrentCurrent15OCT06 [fy11-note 1]15OCT06 [fy11-note 1] 15SEP0508NOV0315MAY0422APR0322APR0222APR0222DEC0408NOV03CurrentCurrent
    May 2011[93]Current [fy11-note 2]Current [fy11-note 3]01AUG06 [fy11-note 3]01JUL06 [fy11-note 3] 22AUG0508SEP0315APR0422APR0315APR0215APR0208SEP0408SEP03CurrentCurrent
    April 2011[94]CurrentCurrent22JUL0608MAY06 22JUL0522JUL0301MAR0422APR0308APR0208APR0208MAY0422JUL03CurrentCurrent
    March 2011[95]CurrentCurrent08JUL0608MAY06 01JUL0515JUN0322JAN0422APR0315MAR0215MAR0208JAN0401MAY03CurrentCurrent
    February 2011[96]CurrentCurrent01JUL0608MAY06 01APR0501MAY0301JAN0422APR0322FEB0222FEB0208JUL0301MAY03CurrentCurrent
    January 2011[97]CurrentCurrent22JUN0608MAY06 22MAR0522APR0315DEC0322APR0301FEB0201FEB0215APR0315APR03CurrentCurrent
    December 2010[98]Current [fy11-note 4]Current [fy11-note 4]08JUN06 [fy11-note 4]08MAY06 [fy11-note 4] 22FEB0522APR0308DEC0322APR0322JAN0222JAN0201JUL0201JUL02CurrentCurrent
    November 2010[99]CurrentCurrent01JUN0608MAY06 22JAN0501APR0322NOV0301APR0322JAN0222JAN0201MAY0101MAY01CurrentCurrent
    October 2010[100]CurrentCurrent22MAY0608MAY06 08JAN0522MAR0308NOV0322MAR0315JAN0215JAN0222APR0122APR01CurrentCurrent

    Visa Bulletin For May 2011 also has a note on allocation of "otherwise unused" numbers in accordance with Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) Section 202(a)(5).[fy11-note 5]

    Notes for fiscal year 2011

    1. 1 2 Notes from Visa Bulletin For June 2011[92] Visa availability in the employment second preference category
      As mentioned in the May Visa Bulletin, Section 202(a)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) prescribes rules for the use of potentially "otherwise unused" Employment numbers. During May the India Employment Second preference cut-off date is governing the use of such numbers, because India had reached its Employment Second annual limit. Since October there has been heavy demand by applicants "upgrading" their status from Employment Third to Employment Second preference. The rapid forward movement of the India Employment Second preference cut-off date in May had the potential to greatly increase such demand. Therefore, the determination of the June cut-off dates was delayed in order to monitor this demand. At this time the amount of new "upgrade" demand has been minimal; this has allowed the Employment Second preference cut-off date governing the use of the Section 202(a)(5) numbers to advance significantly for June. The same cut-off date will apply to both China and India Employment Second preference. Note that under INA Section 203(e) all of the "otherwise unused" numbers must be provided strictly in priority date order regardless of the applicant's chargeability. Cut-off date movement for upcoming months cannot be guaranteed, and because of the variables involved, no assumptions should be made until the dates are formally announced. Should there be a sudden or significant increase in India and China Employment Second preference demand it may be necessary to slow, stop, or retrogress that cut-off date as we approach the end of fiscal year 2011.
    2. ↑ Notes from Section D of Visa Bulletin For May 2011:[93]Visa availability in the coming months
      Employment-based: At this time the amount of demand being received in the Employment First preference is extremely low compared with that of recent years. Absent an immediate and dramatic increase in demand, this category will remain "Current" for all countries. It also appears unlikely that a Second preference cut-off date will be imposed for any countries other than China and India, where demand is extremely high. Based on current indications of demand, the best case scenarios for cut-off date movement each month during the coming months are as follows:
    3. 1 2 3 Notes from Section D of Visa Bulletin For May 2011:[93]Visa availability in the coming months
      Employment Second: Demand by applicants who are "upgrading" their status from Employment Third to Employment Second preference is very high, but the exact amount is not known. Such "upgrades" are in addition to the known demand already reported, and make it very difficult to predict ultimate demand based on forward movement of the China and India cut-off dates. While thousands of "otherwise unused" numbers will be available for potential use without regard to the China and India Employment Second preference per-country annual limits, it is not known how the "upgrades" will ultimately impact the cut-offs for those two countries. (The allocation of "otherwise unused" numbers is discussed below.)
      China: none to three weeks expected through July. No August or September estimate is possible at this time.
      India: One or more weeks, possibly followed by additional movement if demand remains stable. No August or September estimate is possible at this time.
    4. 1 2 3 4 Notes from Section F of Visa Bulletin for December 2010:[98] Visa availability in the coming months
      Employment-based: At this time it is unlikely that there will be any cut-off dates in the Employment First preference during the coming months. It also appears unlikely that it will be necessary to establish a cut-off date other than those already in effect for the Second preference category. Cut-off dates continue to apply to the China and India Second preference categories due to heavy demand.
    5. ↑ Notes from Section D of Visa Bulletin For May 2011:[93] Allocation of "otherwise unused" numbers in accordance with Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) Section 202(a)(5)
      INA Section 202(a)(5) provides that if total demand in a calendar quarter will be insufficient to use all available numbers in an Employment preference, then the unused numbers may be made available without regard to the annual per-country limits. Based on current levels of demand, there will be otherwise unused numbers in the Employment First and Second preferences. Such numbers may be allocated without regard to per-country limits, once a country has reached its preference annual limit. Since under INA Section 203(e) such numbers must be provided strictly in priority date order regardless of chargeability, greater number use by one country would indicate greater demand by applicants from that country with earlier priority dates. Based on amount and priority dates of pending demand and year-to-date number use, a different cut-off date could be applied to each oversubscribed country, for the purpose of assuring that the maximum amount of available numbers will be used. Note that a cut-off date imposed to control the use of "otherwise unused" numbers could be earlier than the cut-off date established to control number use under a quarterly or per-country annual limit. For example, at present the India Employment Second preference cut-off date governs the use of numbers under Section 202(a)(5), India having reached its Employment Second annual limit; the China Employment Second preference cut-off date governs number use under the quarterly limit, since China has not yet reached its Employment Second annual limit.
      The rate of number use under Section 202(a)(5) is continually monitored to determine whether subsequent adjustments are needed in Visa availability for the oversubscribed countries. This helps assure that all available Employment preference numbers will be used, while insuring that numbers also remain available for applicants from all other countries that have not yet reached their per-country limit.
      As mentioned earlier, the number of applicants who may be "upgrading" their status from Employment Third to Employment Second preference is unknown. As a result, the cut-off date which governs use of Section 202(a)(5) numbers has been advanced more rapidly than normal, in an attempt to ascertain the amount of "upgrade" demand in the pipeline while at the same time administering use of the available numbers. This action risks a surge in demand that could adversely impact the cut-off date later in the fiscal year. However, it also limits the possibility that potential demand would not materialize and the annual limit would not be reached due to lack of cut-off date movement.

    Fiscal year 2010

    Month/YearE1E2E3/EWE4/SRE5
    Rest of worldChinaIndiaRest of world (E3)Rest of world (incl. China) (EW)China (E3)India (E3)India (EW)Mexico (E3)Mexico (EW)
    September 2010[101]CurrentCurrent08MAY0608MAY06 15DEC0422MAR0322OCT0301JAN0201JAN02UnavailableUnavailableCurrentCurrent
    August 2010[102]CurrentCurrent01MAR0601MAR06 01JUN0415MAY0222SEP0301JAN0201JAN02UnavailableUnavailableCurrentCurrent
    July 2010[103]CurrentCurrent22NOV0501OCT05 15AUG0301JUN0115AUG0322NOV0101JUN01UnavailableUnavailableCurrentCurrent
    June 2010[104]CurrentCurrent22NOV0501FEB05 22JUN0301JUN0122JUN0322OCT0101JUN01UnavailableUnavailableCurrentCurrent
    May 2010[105]CurrentCurrent22SEP0501FEB05 22APR0301JUN0122APR0301OCT0101JUN01UnavailableUnavailableCurrentCurrent
    April 2010[106]CurrentCurrent22AUG0501FEB05 01FEB0301JUN0101FEB0308SEP0101JUN0101JUL0201JUN01CurrentCurrent
    March 2010[107]CurrentCurrent08JUL0501FEB05 15DEC0201JUN0115DEC0201JUL0101JUN0101JUL0201JUN01CurrentCurrent
    February 2010[108]CurrentCurrent22MAY0522JAN05 22SEP0201JUN0122SEP0222JUN0101JUN0101JUL0201JUN01CurrentCurrent
    January 2010[109]CurrentCurrent01MAY0522JAN05 01AUG0201JUN0101AUG0222JUN0101JUN0101JUL0201JUN01CurrentCurrent
    December 2009[110]CurrentCurrent01APR0522JAN05 01JUN0201JUN0101JUN0201MAY0101MAY0101JUN0201JUN01CurrentCurrent
    November 2009[111]CurrentCurrent01APR0522JAN05 01JUN0201JUN0101JUN0222APR0122APR0101JUN0201JUN01CurrentCurrent
    October 2009[112]CurrentCurrent22MAR0522JAN05 01JUN0201JUN0122FEB0215APR0115APR0101MAY0201JUN01CurrentCurrent

    Notes for fiscal year 2010

      Fiscal year 2009

      Month/YearE1E2E3/EWE4/SRE5
      Rest of worldChinaIndiaRest of world (E3)Rest of world (EW)China (E3)China (EW)India (E3)India (EW)Mexico (E3)Mexico (EW)
      September 2009[113] CurrentCurrent08JAN0508JAN05UnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableCurrent
      August 2009[114] CurrentCurrent01OCT0301OCT03UnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableCurrentCurrent
      July 2009[115] CurrentCurrent01JAN0001JAN00UnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableCurrentCurrent
      June 2009[116] CurrentCurrent15FEB0501JAN00UnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableCurrentCurrent
      May 2009[117] CurrentCurrent15FEB0515FEB04UnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableCurrentCurrent
      April 2009[118] CurrentCurrent15FEB0515FEB0401MAR0301MAR0101MAR0301MAR0101NOV0101MAR0101MAR0301MAR01CurrentCurrent
      March 2009[119] CurrentCurrent15FEB0515FEB0401MAY0515MAR0322OCT0222OCT0215OCT0115OCT0115AUG0315MAR03CurrentCurrent
      February 2009[120] CurrentCurrent01JAN0501JAN0401MAY0515MAR0301OCT0201OCT0215OCT0115OCT0101APR0315OCT01CurrentCurrent
      January 2009[121] CurrentCurrent08JUL0408JUL0301MAY0515MAR0301JUN0215MAR0315OCT0115MAR0315NOV0215MAR03CurrentCurrent
      December 2008[122] CurrentCurrent01JUN0401JUN0301MAY0515JAN0301FEB0215JAN0301OCT0115JAN0301SEP0215JAN03CurrentCurrent
      November 2008[123] CurrentCurrent01JUN0401JUN0301MAY0515JAN0301FEB0215JAN0301OCT0115JAN0301SEP0215JAN03CurrentCurrent
      October 2008[124] CurrentCurrent01APR0401APR0301JAN0501JAN0301OCT0101JAN0301JUL0101JAN0301JUL0201JAN03CurrentCurrent

      Notes for fiscal year 2009

        Fiscal year 2008

        Month/YearE1E2E3/EWE4/SRE5
        Rest of worldChinaIndiaRest of world (E3)Rest of world (EW)China (E3)China (EW)India (E3)India (EW)Mexico (E3)Mexico (EW)
        September 2008[125] CurrentCurrent01AUG0601AUG06UnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableCurrentCurrent
        August 2008[126] CurrentCurrent01JUN0601JUN06UnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableCurrentCurrent
        July 2008[127] CurrentCurrent01APR0401APR04Unavailable01JAN03Unavailable01JAN03Unavailable01JAN03Unavailable01JAN03CurrentCurrent
        June 2008[128] CurrentCurrent01APR0401APR0401MAR0601JAN0322MAR0301JAN0301NOV0101JAN0301JUL0201JAN03CurrentCurrent
        May 2008[129] CurrentCurrent01JAN0401JAN0401MAR0601JAN0322MAR0301JAN0301NOV0101JAN0301JUL0201JAN03CurrentCurrent
        April 2008[130] CurrentCurrent01DEC0301DEC0301JUL0501MAR0208FEB0301MAR0201OCT0101MAR0201OCT0101MAR02CurrentCurrent
        March 2008[131] CurrentCurrent01DEC03Unavailable01JAN0501JAN0201DEC0201JAN0201AUG0101JAN0201MAY0101JAN02CurrentCurrent
        February 2008[132] CurrentCurrent01JAN03Unavailable01NOV0201OCT0115NOV0101OCT0108MAY0101OCT0122APR0101OCT01CurrentCurrent
        January 2008[133] CurrentCurrent01JAN0301JAN0015OCT0201OCT0101NOV0101OCT0101MAY0101OCT0122APR0101OCT01CurrentCurrent
        December 2007[134] CurrentCurrent01JAN0301JAN0201SEP0201OCT0115OCT0101OCT0101MAY0101OCT0122APR0101OCT01CurrentCurrent
        November 2007[135] CurrentCurrent01JAN0601APR0401AUG0201OCT0101SEP0101OCT0122APR0101OCT0122APR0101OCT01CurrentCurrent
        October 2007[136] CurrentCurrent01JAN0601APR0401AUG0201OCT0101SEP0101OCT0122APR0101OCT0122APR0101OCT01CurrentCurrent

        Notes for fiscal year 2008

          Fiscal year 2007

          Month/YearE1E2E3/EWE4/SRE5
          Rest of worldChinaIndiaRest of worldChinaIndiaMexico (E3)Mexico (EW)
          September 2007[137] 01Jan0701Jan0701Jan0601Apr0401Aug02UnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailable01Jan0701Jan07
          August 2007[138] UnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailableUnavailable
          July 2007[139] CurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentCurrentUnavailableCurrentCurrent
          June 2007[140] CurrentCurrent01Jan0601Apr0401Jun0501Jun0301Jun0301Jun0301Oct01CurrentCurrent
          May 2007[141] CurrentCurrent22Apr0508Jan0301Aug0301Aug0208May0115May01UnavailableCurrentCurrent
          April 2007[142] CurrentCurrent22Apr0508Jan0301Aug0201Aug0208May0115May0101Oct01CurrentCurrent
          March 2007[143] CurrentCurrent22Apr0508Jan0301Aug0201Aug0208May0115May0101Oct01CurrentCurrent
          February 2007[144] CurrentCurrent22Apr0508Jan0301Aug0201Aug0208May0115May0101Oct01CurrentCurrent
          January 2007[145] CurrentCurrent22Apr0508Jan0301Aug0201Aug0208May0115May0101Oct01CurrentCurrent
          December 2006[146] CurrentCurrent22Apr0508Jan0301Aug0201Aug0222Apr0108May0101Oct01CurrentCurrent
          November 2006[147] CurrentCurrent15Apr0501Jan0301Jul0201Jul0222Apr0108May0101May01CurrentCurrent
          October 2006[148] CurrentCurrent01Apr0515Jun0201May0201May0222Apr0101May0101Jan01CurrentCurrent

          Notes for fiscal year 2007

            References

            1. 1 2 3 Visa Bulletin For May 2013
            2. ↑ http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/STATUTE-106/pdf/STATUTE-106-Pg1828.pdf
            3. 1 2 3 4 5 Argueta, Carla N. (2016), "Numerical Limits on Permanent Employment-Based Immigration: Analysis of the Per-country Ceilings" (PDF), CRS Report, Congressional Research Service . This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
            4. ↑ "SEP 2018 Bulletin" (PDF).
            5. ↑ "AUG 2018 Bulletin" (PDF).
            6. ↑ "July 2018 Bulletin" (PDF).
            7. ↑ "Visa Bulletin For June 2018". travel.state.gov. Retrieved 2018-06-07.
            8. ↑ Visa Bulletin For May 2018
            9. ↑ Visa Bulletin For April 2018
            10. ↑ Visa Bulletin For March 2018
            11. ↑ Visa Bulletin For February 2018
            12. ↑ Visa Bulletin For January 2018
            13. ↑ Visa Bulletin For December 2017
            14. 1 2 Visa Bulletin For November 2017
            15. 1 2 Visa Bulletin For October 2017
            16. ↑ "DOS Publishes Visa Bulletin for October 2016". USCIS. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
            17. ↑ Visa Bulletin For September 2017
            18. ↑ Visa Bulletin For August 2017
            19. ↑ Visa Bulletin For July 2017
            20. ↑ Visa Bulletin For June 2017
            21. ↑ Visa Bulletin For May 2017
            22. ↑ Visa Bulletin For April 2017
            23. ↑ Visa Bulletin For March 2017
            24. ↑ Visa Bulletin For February 2017
            25. ↑ Visa Bulletin For January 2017
            26. ↑ Visa Bulletin For December 2016
            27. ↑ Visa Bulletin For November 2016
            28. ↑ Visa Bulletin For October 2016
            29. ↑ "Visa Availability and Priority Dates". USCIS. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
            30. 1 2 Visa Bulletin For September 2016
            31. 1 2 Visa Bulletin For August 2016
            32. 1 2 Visa Bulletin For July 2016
            33. 1 2 Visa Bulletin For June 2016
            34. 1 2 Visa Bulletin For May 2016
            35. 1 2 Visa Bulletin For April 2016
            36. 1 2 Visa Bulletin For March 2016
            37. 1 2 Visa Bulletin For February 2016
            38. 1 2 Visa Bulletin For January 2016
            39. 1 2 Visa Bulletin For December 2015
            40. 1 2 Visa Bulletin For November 2015
            41. 1 2 Visa Bulletin For October 2015
            42. ↑ "When to File Your Adjustment of Status Application for Family-Sponsored or Employment-Based Preference Visas: September 2016". USCIS.
            43. ↑ Visa Bulletin For September 2015
            44. ↑ Visa Bulletin For August 2015
            45. ↑ Visa Bulletin For July 2015
            46. 1 2 Visa Bulletin For June 2014
            47. ↑ Visa Bulletin For May 2015
            48. 1 2 Visa Bulletin For April 2015
            49. ↑ Visa Bulletin For March 2015
            50. 1 2 Visa Bulletin For February 2015
            51. ↑ Visa Bulletin For January 2015
            52. ↑ Visa Bulletin For December 2014
            53. ↑ Visa Bulletin For November 2014
            54. ↑ Visa Bulletin For October 2014
            55. 1 2 Visa Bulletin For September 2014
            56. 1 2 Visa Bulletin For August 2014
            57. ↑ Visa Bulletin For July 2014
            58. ↑ Visa Bulletin For May 2014
            59. ↑ Visa Bulletin For April 2014
            60. ↑ Visa Bulletin For March 2014
            61. ↑ Visa Bulletin For February 2014
            62. ↑ Visa Bulletin For January 2014
            63. ↑ Visa Bulletin For December 2013
            64. 1 2 Visa Bulletin For November 2013
            65. ↑ Visa Bulletin For October 2013
            66. 1 2 3 Visa Bulletin For September 2013
            67. 1 2 Visa Bulletin For August 2013
            68. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Visa Bulletin For July 2013
            69. 1 2 Visa Bulletin For June 2013
            70. ↑ Visa Bulletin For April 2013
            71. 1 2 Visa Bulletin For March 2013
            72. ↑ Visa Bulletin For February 2013
            73. ↑ Visa Bulletin For January 2013
            74. 1 2 Visa Bulletin For December 2012
            75. ↑ Visa Bulletin For November 2012
            76. 1 2 Visa Bulletin For October 2012
            77. ↑ "Visa Bulletin For September 2012". Archived from the original on 2012-08-15. Retrieved 2012-08-23.
            78. ↑ Visa Bulletin For August 2012
            79. 1 2 "Visa Bulletin For July 2012". Archived from the original on 2013-04-23. Retrieved 2013-04-20.
            80. 1 2 3 Visa Bulletin For June 2012
            81. 1 2 Visa Bulletin For May 2012
            82. ↑ Visa Bulletin For April 2012
            83. ↑ Visa Bulletin For March 2012
            84. 1 2 Visa Bulletin For February 2012
            85. 1 2 Visa Bulletin For January 2012
            86. ↑ Visa Bulletin For December 2011
            87. 1 2 Visa Bulletin For November 2011
            88. 1 2 Visa Bulletin For October 2011
            89. ↑ Visa Bulletin For September 2011
            90. ↑ Visa Bulletin For August 2011
            91. ↑ Visa Bulletin For July 2011
            92. 1 2 Visa Bulletin For June 2011
            93. 1 2 3 4 Visa Bulletin For May 2011
            94. ↑ Visa Bulletin For April 2011
            95. ↑ Visa Bulletin For March 2011
            96. ↑ Visa Bulletin For February 2011
            97. ↑ Visa Bulletin For January 2011
            98. 1 2 Visa Bulletin For December 2010
            99. ↑ Visa Bulletin For November 2010
            100. ↑ Visa Bulletin For October 2010
            101. ↑ Visa Bulletin For September 2010
            102. ↑ Visa Bulletin For August 2010
            103. ↑ Visa Bulletin For July 2010
            104. ↑ Visa Bulletin For June 2010
            105. ↑ Visa Bulletin For May 2010
            106. ↑ Visa Bulletin For April 2010
            107. ↑ Visa Bulletin For March 2010
            108. ↑ Visa Bulletin For February 2010
            109. ↑ Visa Bulletin For January 2010
            110. ↑ Visa Bulletin For December 2009
            111. ↑ Visa Bulletin For November 2009
            112. ↑ Visa Bulletin For October 2009
            113. ↑ Visa Bulletin For September 2009
            114. ↑ Visa Bulletin For August 2009
            115. ↑ Visa Bulletin For July 2009
            116. ↑ Visa Bulletin For June 2009
            117. ↑ Visa Bulletin For May 2009
            118. ↑ Visa Bulletin For April 2009
            119. ↑ Visa Bulletin For March 2009
            120. ↑ Visa Bulletin For February 2009
            121. ↑ Visa Bulletin For January 2009
            122. ↑ Visa Bulletin For December 2008
            123. ↑ Visa Bulletin For November 2008
            124. ↑ Visa Bulletin For October 2008
            125. ↑ Visa Bulletin For September 2008
            126. ↑ Visa Bulletin For August 2008
            127. ↑ Visa Bulletin For July 2008
            128. ↑ Visa Bulletin For June 2008
            129. ↑ Visa Bulletin For May 2008
            130. ↑ Visa Bulletin For April 2008
            131. ↑ Visa Bulletin For March 2008
            132. ↑ Visa Bulletin For February 2008
            133. ↑ Visa Bulletin For January 2008
            134. ↑ Visa Bulletin For December 2007
            135. ↑ Visa Bulletin For November 2007
            136. ↑ Visa Bulletin For October 2007
            137. ↑ Visa Bulletin For September 2007
            138. ↑ Visa Bulletin For August 2007
            139. ↑ Visa Bulletin For July 2007
            140. ↑ Visa Bulletin For June 2007
            141. ↑ Visa Bulletin For May 2007
            142. ↑ Visa Bulletin For April 2007
            143. ↑ Visa Bulletin For March 2007
            144. ↑ Visa Bulletin For February 2007
            145. ↑ Visa Bulletin For January 2007
            146. ↑ Visa Bulletin For December 2006
            147. ↑ Visa Bulletin For November 2006
            148. ↑ Visa Bulletin For October 2006
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