October 2017 Visa Bulletin: EB-1 Category Becomes Current for All Foreign Nationals

The U.S. Department of State (DOS)has published the visa bulletin for October 2017. As new visa numbers become available at the start of the fiscal year, cut-off dates will become current for the EB-1 category across the board, including for applicants from mainland China and India. Also significantly, the EB-2 category will become current for foreign nationals from all countries, excluding China and India, with cut-off dates moving up nearly two years.
                                                                                                              
Final action dates for employment-based preference petitions are as follows:

  • The EB-1 category is current for all nationals, advancing more than five years since last month for Chinese and Indian applicants.
  • In the EB-2 category, the cut-off date for nationals born in mainland China has moved up one week, from May 15, 2013, last month to May 22, 2013, this month. The cut-off date for Indian nationals has advanced three weeks: September 15, 2008. The EB-2 category is current for all other aliens.
  • In the EB-3 category, the cut-off date for China-mainland nationals advances two years to January 1, 2014. The cut-off date for Indian nationals remains the same as last month: October 15, 2006.
  • In the EB-5 category, the cut-off date for China-mainland has moved up a week: June 22, 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 chargeability areas.
  • In the EB-2 category, the cut-off date for China-mainland has advanced from October 1, 2013, last month to November 15, 2013, this month. The cut-off date for Indian nationals moved up a week since last month to February 8, 2009.
  • In the EB-3 category, there is no movement in the filing date for China-mainland nationals: September 1, 2015. For Indian nationals, the filing date has advanced by a year: January 1, 2008.
  • In the EB-5 category, the cut-off date for nationals born in mainland China has moved up a month: October 1, 2014.

Our Advice

If you believe you qualify for a National Interest Waiver (NIW) but are not sure if you’re as strong a candidate for an EB-1, we recommend starting your NIW application as soon as possible. In general, we encourage our clients to file NIW applications (provided they meet the requirements). 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 achievements 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 obtain EB-1 visas.

Before you start the application process, it’s imperative that you consult with experienced immigration attorneys. If you’re interested in filing an NIW, EB-1, or any other employment-based visa application, 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.

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.

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

 

(09/13/2017)