Green Card Prediction Through May 2019

Green Card Prediction through May 2019

The Chief of the Visa Control and Reporting Division, Charles Oppenheim, at the Department of State recently provided some insight to the American Immigration Lawyers Association regarding priority dates and immigrant visa availability in the coming months.

EB1: Based on information provided by USCIS to DOS, it appears that there is sufficient EB-1 demand to reach the annual limits this year, which would prevent EB-1 Worldwide from returning to “current” status. EB-1 Worldwide could advance anywhere from zero to two months each month in March, April, and May. EB-1 China and EB-1 India numbers are being used up at a rapid rate. EB-1 China and EB-1 India could advance anywhere from zero to one month each month in March, April, and May.

EB-2: EB-2 Worldwide should remain current “for the foreseeable future.” Unlike last year, based on current demand trends, a Final Action Date is not expected to be imposed for EB-2 Worldwide for the remainder of this fiscal year. EB-2 India is now backlogged further than EB-3 for the first time. It is unclear if this will spur more downgrades from EB-2 to EB-3. If there are a significant number of downgrades, it would increase EB-3 India demand and could potentially bring the Final Action Dates for the two categories closer together. As of now, EB-2 India could advance from zero to one week each month in March, April, and May. EB-2 China should remain ahead of EB-3 China through at least May 2019. EB-2 China could advance from zero to three months each month in March, April, and May. The dates for EB-2 China should start to move forward more rapidly to generate additional demand. Although EB-2 and EB-3 China demand declined in December 2018, it is starting to pick up again in January.

EB-3: Currently there is an overall low level of EB-3 Worldwide demand, which in turn is likely to make additional EB-3 numbers available for India. EB-3 Worldwide should remain current through May 2019. EB-3 India could advance anywhere from zero to three months each month in March, April, and May. EB-3 China could advance anywhere from zero to three weeks each month in March, April, and May. Demand for EB-3 Philippines has been below target so the date can advance more rapidly. However, this rapid movement tends to significantly raise demand which raises the possibility that the Final Action Date may retrogress later in the year.

This article originally appeared on ImmigrationGirl.