September 2018 Visa Bulletin shows significant delays in approvals for many employment-based green card applicants

The Department of State has posted the visa bulletin for September 2018.
Unfortunately, most employment-based (EB) categories for all nationals are backlogged, representing a slow down of green card approval times.

EB-1 Priority Workers final action date is now June 1, 2016 for all nationals, except those born in India and China who still have a cutoff date of January 1, 2012. EB-2 and EB-3 final action dates have also moved back significantly for all nationals. Specifically, the EB-2 final action date for all nationals is January 1, 2013, except those born in India who now have a cutoff date of Januay 1, 2007. The EB-3 final action date for all nationals is November 1, 2016, except those born in India who have a final action date of January 1, 2003 and those born in China who have a final action date of November 1, 2014.

USCIS has advised that it will accept adjustment of status applications in September for family-based petitions for those with priority dates before the listed cutoff date in the filing dates chart.

For employment-based petitions, you must use the final action dates chart to determine whether you can file your adjustment of status application. Also, your priority date must be earlier than the date in the final action chart for final approval of your immigrant visa or adjustment of status application.

CLICK HERE FOR September 2018 VISA BULLETIN

For immigration advice and assistance with your green card application or other immigration matters, contact us to meet with Ann Massey Badmus or one of our qualified attorneys.