The U.S. State Department has released the visa bulletin for July 2017. The retrogression of the EB-1 category for aliens from both mainland China and India, which began last month, has persisted.
                                                                                                              
Final action dates for employment-based preference petitions are as follows:

• The EB-1 category is current for all nationals, excluding those born in mainland China and India; the cut-off date for both groups is still January 1, 2012.
• In the EB-2 category, the cut-off date for nationals born in mainland China has moved up three weeks, from March 1, 2013, last month to March 22, 2013. The cut-off date for Indian nationals has similarly moved up three weeks, from July 1, 2008, in June to July 22, 2008 this month. EB-2 visa numbers are available to all other nationals.
• In the EB-3 category, there’s a backlog in visa number availability for foreign nationals from mainland China; while the cut-off date had been October 1, 2014, over the last two months, for July, it has moved back to January 1, 2012. The cut-off date for Indian nationals has moved up from May 15, 2005, last month to February 15, 2006.
• In the EB-5 category, the cut-off date for China-mainland applicants remains the same as last month: June 8, 2014. EB-5 visa numbers are available to all other nationals.

Filing dates for employment-based preference petitions are as follows:

• The EB-1 category is current for all nationals.
• In the EB-2 category, the cut-off date for China-mainland is unchanged from June: October 1, 2013. July’s cut-off date for Indian nationals likewise remains the same as last month’s: February 1, 2009.
• In the EB-3 category, the cut-off date for China-mainland nationals is also unchanged from last month’s: September 1, 2015. For Indian nationals, the cut-off date has moved up from April 22, 2006, last month to October 1, 2006, currently.
• In the EB-5 category, the cut-off date for nationals born in mainland China has not moved since June: September 1, 2014.

Our Advice

If you believe you qualify for a National Interest Waiver (NIW) but are not sure if you’re as strong an applicant for an EB-1, we recommend starting your NIW application as soon as possible. In general, provided they meet the requirements, we encourage our clients to file NIW applications. Our attorneys have a strong track record of winning approvals: since 2008, Zhang & Associates has helped nearly 3,000 foreign nationals obtain NIWs.

After you successfully apply for an NIW, and thereafter continue to garner more acclaim in your field, you may want to consider applying in the first-preference category. Our firm is here to help: since 2012, our attorneys have assisted more than 1,100 clients win approval on their EB-1 petitions.

Before you start the application process, it’s imperative that you consult with experienced immigration attorneys. If you’re interested in applying for an NIW, EB-1, or other employment-based visa petition but aren’t sure if you qualify, contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

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Former U.S. Consular officer, Attorney Sechyi Laiu joined Zhang & Associates, P.C. on June 26, 2017

At Zhang & Associates, P.C., Attorney Laiu specializes on Consular Processing cases and business development. Attorney Laiu also focuses on TN visas, E visas, CBP administrative proceedings (monetary confiscation, deferred inspection), and overseas financial compliance.

Prior to joining Zhang & Associates, P.C., Attorney Laiu worked for the U.S. Department of State as a Chinese and Portuguese speaking diplomat. As a consular-coned officer who served in Vancouver (Canada), Shenyang (P.R. China), and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Attorney Laiu processed over 30,000 visa cases and worked in every section of Consular Affairs overseas (Fraud Prevention Unit, Immigrant Visas, Non-Immigrant Visas, and American Citizen Services).

He will use his experience and expertise to deliver the highest quality of service to our clients.

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Founded in 1996, Zhang & Associates, P.C. offers legal services to clients nationwide in all aspects of U.S immigration law. We have successfully handled thousands of immigration cases.

At Zhang & Associates, P.C., our attorneys and supporting professionals are committed to providing high-quality immigration and non-immigration visa services. We specialize in NIW, EB-1, PERM, and I-485 cases. In the past twenty years, we have successfully helped thousands of clients get green cards. If you plan to apply for a green card, please send your CV to Attorney Jerry Zhang (info@hooyou.com) for a free evaluation.

Zhang & Associates, P.C.

Silicon Valley • New York • Los Angeles • Chicago • Houston • Austin • Seattle • Madison

Tel:	1-800-230-7040, 713-771-8433
Email:	info@hooyou.com
website:	http://www.hooyou.com

 

(06/09/2017)