Visa Bulletin Cut-Off Dates Leap again

According to visa bulletin for June 2006 released by Department of State on May 12, 2006 , cut-off dates leaped again for people born in mainland China filing employment-based immigration petitions. Cut-off date of EB1 moved from July 1, 2004 to July 1 2005 (12 months). Cut-off date of EB2 (including NIW) moved from January 1, 2004 to July 1, 2004 (6 months). Cut-off date of EB3 only moved two months, from May 1, 2001 to July 1 2001 . Similarly, cutoff dates moved forward for immigrants from India too. Cut-off dates of EB1, EB2, and EB3 moved to Jan. 1, 2006 , Jan. 1, 2003 , and April 8, 2001 , respectively.

We predict that EB-2 and EB-1 keep moving quickly in the next a few months, and they might change to CURRENT soon. Therefore, if you consider applying for employment-based immigration and have an option to choose any one of these categories, EB-1 and EB-2 (including NIW) should be the first choice. In addition, if you need to file labor certification petition and can choose to file it under EB-2 or EB-3, EB-2 PERM is definitely the best choice due to cut-off date advantage of EB-2.

As long as the visa status changes to CURRENT, applicants can concurrently file I140 and I485. That means they can also file EAD and Advance Parole for themselves and/or spouses. If such is the case, although applicants cannot obtain green card instantly, at least they can travel or work. We see the light at the end of the tunnel!

(05/12/2006)

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