Charlie Oppenheim of the Department of State’s Visa Office recently provided the following predictions for upcoming visa bulletins, based on current usage. Please note that all predictions are subject to change depending on actual visa usage.

• F-2A (Family-Based, Second Preference A): The worldwide category and Mexico will retrogress soon. The worldwide date may move back to 2012 in the June or July visa bulletins, and the Mexico date may move back even more.
• F-2B (Family-Based, Second Preference B): Movement in this category is likely to advance.
• EB-1 usage is higher than last year, but there will still be unused cases that will drop down into EB-2.
• EB-2 India: It is anticipated but that in August or September 2014 the priority date will move to 1/1/2008 or maybe later 2008.
• EB-3 worldwide: The visa office doesn’t have much information about the number of applicants in this category, but it seems demand is increasing.

What does this mean for you?

• If your priority date is current, or when it becomes current, make sure you submit the I-485 (if applying for adjustment of status in the US) or submit the required documents to the National Visa Center (if applying from outside the US) as quickly as possible. Otherwise the priority date may retrogress again before you have time to act.
• If you anticipate that your priority date will become current in the coming months, take time now to organize and have ready the required documentation, if you need to file the I-485 or start consular processing.
• If you do not have a priority date set yet, start the process now to get one if you are interested in obtaining permanent residence in the US! Read more about a priority date here.

Do you need assistance with the employment-based or family-based permanent residence process? Contact our office today to learn how we can assist you to streamline the immigration process and reach your immigration goals! 804-396-3412 or esumner@sumnerimmigration.com.