June 2018 Visa Bulletin Check-In: Possible Advancement for EB2 and EB3 India

Charles Oppenheim, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) Chief of the Visa Control and Reporting Division, provides visa bulletin explanations and predictions most months. For June 2018, Mr. Oppenheim discusses the possibility of movement in the employment-based, second preference (EB2) and employment-based, third preference (EB3) categories for India.

Delays Caused by Interview Requirement May Lead to Advancement

As expected, the in-person interview requirement for most employment-based I-485 applicants has resulted in processing delays by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). More details on the interview requirement are available in the MurthyDotCom NewsBrief, USCIS Provides Clarification on In-Person Interview Requirement in EB I-485 Cases (23.Oct.2017). It appears that this has resulted in fewer-than-expected visa numbers being used. In order to ensure that the full allotment of visa numbers is used for fiscal year 2018, which ends September 30, 2018, it may be necessary to advance the cutoff date for EB2 and EB3 India, and possibly that of EB2 China.

Mr. Oppenheim does not know yet how far he may be able to advance the cutoff dates. Further, he is careful to point out that this advancement is not a certainty. If there is a fluctuation in demand, this could prevent Mr. Oppenheim from advancing the cutoff dates at all.

Conclusion

MurthyDotCom will continue to closely monitor and report on movement and predictions related to the monthly visa bulletin. Subscribe to the MurthyBulletin to receive future updates.

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