The U.S. State Department has released the visa bulletin for August 2017. While some marginal movement occurred across preference categories, the backlog for EB-1 applicants from both mainland China and India, which began in May, 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 one month, from March 22, 2013, last month to April 22, 2013. The cut-off date for Indian nationals has stayed the same as last month: July 22, 2008. EB-2 visa numbers are not available currently to any other nationals; the cut-off date has been pushed back to April 1, 2015.
• In the EB-3 category, the cut-off date for China-mainland nationals remains January 1, 2012. The cut-off date for Indian nationals has moved up five months, from February 15, 2006, last month to July 15, 2006.
• In the EB-5 category, the cut-off date for China-mainland applicants has moved up one week: June 15, 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 and July: 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 since last month: September 1, 2015. For Indian nationals, the cut-off date has moved up from October 1, 2006, last month to January 1, 2007, 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 win 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 filing for an NIW, EB-1, or other employment-based visa application but aren’t sure if you qualify, contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

------
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.

---

Founded in 1996, Zhang & Associates, P.C. offers legal services to clients worldwide in all aspects of U.S immigration law. We have successfully handled over ten thousand 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, EB-5, PERM, I-485 I-130, H-1B, O, L and J cases. In the past twenty-one years, we have successfully helped over ten thousand 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 • Palo Alto • Madison • Honolulu

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

 

(07/11/2017)