May 2018 Visa Bulletin - No Movement for EB-1 China and India; Cutoff Date Imposed for EB-5 Vietnam

---

At a glance

• Due to very high demand, a cutoff date of July 22, 2014 will be imposed for EB-5 Vietnam.
• The cutoff date for EB-1 China and India will remain at January 1, 2012.
• EB-2 China will advance by one month, to September 1, 2014.
• EB-3 India will advance by three months, to May 1, 2008.

---

The situation

According to the State Department’s May Visa Bulletin, cutoff dates for issuance of an immigrant visa will advance or remain as follows:

• EB-1: The cutoff date for EB-1 China and India will remain at January 1, 2012. Both countries have reached their per-country quota, though the State Department suggested last month that there could still be some advancement in the cut-off date before the end of this fiscal year.
• EB-2: China will advance by one month, to September 1, 2014. India will remain at December 22, 2008.
• EB-3 (Professional and Skilled Workers): China will remain at June 1, 2015. India will advance by three months, to May 1, 2008. Priority dates will remain current for most other countries.
• EB-3 (Other Workers): China will advance by one month, to May 1, 2007. India will advance by three months, to May 1, 2008.
• EB-5: China will remain at July 22, 2014. As previously projected, a cutoff date of July 22, 2014 will be imposed for Vietnam, and is expected to remain for the near future due to high demand.

In the coming days, USCIS is expected to announce on its own Visa Bulletin web page whether it will accept adjustment of status applications from foreign nationals with a priority date that is current for filing eligibility in May. Dates for filing will remain unchanged from April for most countries. EB-2 India, however, will advance by nearly two months, to April 1, 2009. Additionally, in the EB-3 (Professional and Skilled Workers) and EB-3 Other Workers categories, India will advance by five months, to September 1, 2008.

FINAL ACTION CUT-OFF DATES FOR MAY 2018

EB-1
China: January 1, 2012
India: January 1, 2012
All other countries: Current

EB-2
China: September 1, 2014
India: December 22, 2008
All other countries: Current

EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
China: June 1, 2015
India: May 1, 2008
Philippines: January 1, 2017
All other countries: Current

EB-3 Other Workers
China: May 1, 2007
India: May 1, 2008
Philippines: January 1, 2017
All other countries: Current

EB-4
El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras: December 15, 2015
Mexico: October 22, 2016
All other countries: Current

EB-5
China: July 22, 2014
Vietnam: July 22, 2014
Current for all other countries and subcategories

FILING ELIGIBILITY CUT-OFF DATES FOR MAY 2018

EB-1
Current for all countries

EB-2
China: February 1, 2015
India: April 1, 2009
All other countries: Current

EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
China: January 1, 2016
India: September 1, 2008
Philippines: July 1, 2017
All other countries: Current

EB-3 Other Workers
China: June 1, 2008
India: September 1, 2008
Philippines: July 1, 2017
All other countries: Current

EB-4
El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras: April 15, 2016
All other countries: Current

EB-5
China: September 1, 2014
Current for all other countries and subcategories

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.