Visa backlog grows in August, causing longer delays for many green card applicants

The Department of State has posted the visa bulletin for August 2019. Almost all employment based (EB) green card categories are now experiencing backlogs which are expected to continue through September. In October, a new round of immigrant visas become available so the backlogs might become shorter or eliminated at that time.But right now, the visa movement is slow for everyone, and some more than others. Specifically, here is the status for each category in August:

EB-1 Extraordinary Ability, Outstanding Researchers, Multinational Managers

• The dates for the ROW (rest of the world), Central America, Mexico, the Philippines, and Vietnam have all moved back one year, nine months, and one week from April 22, 2018, to July 1, 2016.
• The date for China has moved back ten months and one week from May 8, 2017, to July 1, 2016.
• The date for India has stalled and remains at January 1, 2015.

EB-2 Advanced Degree Workers

• The dates for the ROW, Central America, Mexico, the Philippines, and Vietnam are no longer current and have moved back to January 1, 2017.
• The date for China has moved forward two months from November 1, 2016, to January 1, 2017.
• The date for India has moved forward nine days from April 24, 2009, to May 2, 2009.

EB-3 Professional (Bachelor’s Degree), Skilled and Other Workers

• The date for the ROW, Central America, Mexico, the Philippines and Vietnam have all lost their current status and moved back to July 1, 2016.
• The date for China has moved forward six months from January 1, 2016, to July 1, 2016.
• The date for India has moved back three years and six months from July 1, 2009, to January 1, 2006.
• The date for China in the “other workers” category has not seen any movement and remains at November 22, 2007.

EB-4 Religious Workers and Others

• The date for the ROW, China, India, the Philippines, and Vietnam have all remained current.
• The date for Central America has not seen any movement and remains at July 1, 2016.
• The date for Mexico has not seen any movement and remains at July 1, 2016.

EB-5 Immigrant Investors

• The dates for the ROW, Central America, India, Mexico, and the Philippines have all remained current.
• The date for China has moved forward two weeks from October 1, 2014, to October 15, 2014.
• The date for India has moved back two years, six months, and two weeks from May 1, 2017, to October 15, 2014.
• The date for Vietnam has moved back one year, eleven months, and two weeks from October 1, 2016, to October 15, 2014.

Learn more about employment-based green cards

AUGUST VISA BULLETIN WEBSITE

This information is provided as an educational service. Consult with an attorney for your specific circumstances. For a comprehensive evaluation of your immigration options, you are invited to call me at 214-393-4917 , complete my contact form