November 2017 Visa Bulletin Analysis

The Visa Bulletin for November was released this week.  It can best be described as a steady, albeit slow, march forward for many.   

Employment-Based Movement

The EB-1 category continues to be current across the board.  Predictions suggest that this category will remain current, but applicants are encouraged to finalize and submit I-485s as promptly as possible.  Now that adjustment interviews will be required (see info), the timeline for completion of I-485s will surely increase.

EB-2 for All Others and those born in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and the Philippines remains current.

EB-2 India had a tiny forward movement of about three weeks, to 08OCT08.  As previously predicted, this category is expected to continue advancing approximately one month at a time for the foreseeable future. 

EB-2 China moved forward one month to 01FEB14.

EB-3 moved at a similar pace for most countries, staying current for All Others and advancing one month for China.  There was no forward movement for India, and it stays locked in at 15OCT06.

Family-Based Movement

Family-based priority dates moved forward rather consistently across the board this month.  Across F1 (Unmarried Sons and Daughters of US Citizens) the pace was one month forward across all countries.  The only exception was the Philippines, which did not advance.

F2A (Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents) moved forward in all columns, advancing three weeks for all countries.  There was a one-week advancement in F2B (Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents) for all.

F3 (Married Sons and Daughters of US Citizens) advanced three weeks for most.  

The F4 category (Brothers and Sisters of Adult US Citizens) advanced three weeks for all countries except for the Philippines, which advanced just one week.  The F4 category remains hopelessly backlogged in excess of 15 years for many.

At the time of this article's publication, USCIS has not advised whether, in November 2017, it will accept adjustment of status applications for family or employment-based petitions based on filing dates (Chart B), rather than final action dates.  Chart B was not made available last month.

USCIS anticipates that this information will be released within one week of the monthly Visa Bulletin.  Ellis Porter will release a news alert if the USCIS allows uses of Chart B.