February 2018 Visa Bulletin Analysis

Consistent with predictions, priority dates continue moving forward for February.  Though the movement is marginal for some categories, there was no retrogression.   EB-1 is expected to remain current for all countries for the next several months.  EB-2 for India and China will continue moving forward, likely through May: China at a pace of a several months per bulletin and India likely at a pace of two weeks per bulletin.

Employment-Based Movement

For February, all countries remained current or advanced.

EB-1 is current across the board for all countries.

EB-2 Worldwide remains current.

EB-2 India moved forward two weeks to 08DEC08.

EB-2 China advanced about seven weeks to 01OCT13.  Notice that the priority date for EB-3 China is much more advanced than EB-2? It's possible to convert from EB-2 to EB-3 in order to shorten the application process.  Speak with us to determine whether "downgrading" is an option for you.

EB-3 Stays current Worldwide. China was a significant advancer, moving forward five months to 15SEP14. India advanced by one month to 01DEC06.

Family-Based Movement

Chart B, also called "Dates for Filing", was made available for Family Based applicants again last month and will be for February, too.  This chart allows submission of the I-485 in advance of a priority date becoming current.  The advantage is that benefits such as employment authorization and advance parole can be issued much earlier when Chart B is used.

F1 (Unmarried Sons and Daughters of US Citizens) remained locked at 14MAR11  Worldwide, China, and India. Mexico moved forward two months and The Philippines advanced seven months to 01AUG05.

F2A (Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents) moved forward one month in all columns.

F3 (Married Sons and Daughters of US Citizens) continued advancing at a pace of about 40 days for Worldwide, China, and India, landing at 15NOV05.

The F4 category (Brothers and Sisters of Adult US Citizens) for Worldwide and China are both at 22JUL04 and India moved forward three weeks to 08JAN04.