The Department of State’s July Visa Bulletin announced only a few modest changes in employment-based visa processing. Most significantly, the EB-3 subcategory for professionals and skilled workers will become unavailable for the Philippines.

Additionally, Indian nationals seeking classification under the EB-2 preference category will see no change from the month of June.  Those seeking classification under the EB-3 and other workers categories will see a very small change from January 22, 2004 to February 4, 2004.  This means the government is virtually experiencing a “delay” of 11 years. Priority dates for Chinese nationals share lack of progress.  Individuals under EB-2, advanced only four months to October 1, 2013, while EB-3 and other workers remained the same.

Those individuals who have been impacted by a visa retrogression of any kind are encouraged to check the DOS Visa Bulletin each month in order to see if visa processing dates have moved under their approval category.