The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released the US Visa Bulletin for the upcoming month of August, indicating some progress for Indians in the EB-2 (Advanced Degree Professionals) and EB-3 (Skilled Workers) categories. Despite remaining challenges for employment-based categories, there is a glimmer of hope in certain segments.
The August bulletin reflects a slight upward trend in the EB-2 and EB-3 categories, providing some relief after months of minimal advancement. However, the path for other employment-based categories remains stagnant, posing delays for applicants.
Notably, the cutoff date for EB-1 India remains fixed at February 1, 2022, suggesting significant delays for applicants in this category before their priority dates align with the current timeline. The USCIS outlines strict protocols in the August Bulletin, defining “dates for filing” and “final action dates” to guide applicants in their process.
The bulletin highlights the specific percentages allocated to different preference categories, such as Priority Workers, Members of Professions Holding Advanced Degrees, Skilled Workers, and other employment-based preferences. Applicants are advised to pay close attention to these details to understand their eligibility timelines and the estimated time for application approval.
While the visa bulletin shows progress in certain categories, challenges remain for many applicants awaiting their priority dates. As the fiscal year draws to a close, individuals in the EB-2 and EB-3 categories for India may find some relief in the slight advancements reflected in the August bulletin.
