The U.S Department of State (DoS) has recently released its current visa bulletin for August 2020. The EB-1 cutoff dates for petitioners from China and India has progressed to February 8, 2018. All other countries remain current. For the EB-2 category, all countries except for China and India remain current. China advances a few months to January 15, 2016 while India does not progress and remains at July 8, 2009.

Final action dates for employment-based preference petitions:

• For EB-1: China has only progressed a half a year to February 8, 2018. India progressed almost a year to February 8, 2018 as well. For petitioners from all other countries, the final action dates are current.
• For EB-2: the cut-off date for nationals born in mainland China has progressed a few months to January 15, 2016. The cut-off date for Indian nationals has stagnated at July 8, 2009. The cut-off dates for petitioners from all other countries remains current.
• For EB-3 – Professional and Skilled Workers: EB-3 cutoff date for China has advanced more than half a year to February 15, 2017 while the date for India advanced only a few months to October 1, 2009. The cut-off date for the remaining countries, including the Philippines, have progressed nearly a year to April 1, 2019.
• For EB-5 – Non-regional Center: For China, the final action date advanced two weeks at August 8, 2015. India remains current. In addition, Vietnam, has advanced two months to July 22, 2017. The cut-off date is current for all other countries. The regional center final action dates of each country mirrors that of the non-regional centers.

Filing dates for employment-based preference petitions:

• For EB-1: Filing dates has progressed for China and India to July 1, 2018. For petitioners for the remaining countries, the cut-off date remains current.
• For EB-2: The cut-off date for Chinese petitions remains at August 1, 2016, while the date for Indian nationals have remained at August 15, 2009. Petitioners from all other countries remain current.
• For EB-3: In the EB-3 category, there are moderate progress. Mainland Chinese petitioners’ cutoff date advances 2 months to May 1, 2017, while the date for Indian petitioners remains at February 1, 2010. The cut-off date for petitioners from the remaining countries have advanced a full year to April 1, 2020.
• For EB-5: For EB-5 petitioners, the cut-off date for nationals born in mainland China has stagnated at December 15, 2015 while petitioners from all other countries continue to remain current.

Our Thoughts:

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 over 3,400 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 1,600 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.

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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-two 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 • Sunnyvale • Madison • Honolulu

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

 

(07/23/2020)