The Visa Bulletin for April 2018 was made available on March 9, 2018, by the U.S. Department of State. This bulletin will be effective starting April 1, 2018. There has been some significant movement in the April bulletin as compared to that of March. In summary, the major changes include a cutoff date that will be imposed on EB-1 visas for both China (Mainland) and India. The EB-2 for China moved by almost eight months, while it moved by just a week for India.
Final Action Dates, April 2018
Employment-Based Preference Cases
EB-1:Because of high demand, the final action date for both China (Mainland) and India are set. The final action date stands at January 1, 2012, for both China (Mainland) and India. The final action date remains current for all other regions including Mexico, the Philippines, El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala. This category is issued to priority workers.
EB-2:Â The movement was just by a week for India(December 22, 2008). For China, the advancement is huge by nearly 8 months (August 1, 2014). The final action date stays current for all other regions including Mexico, the Philippines, El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala. This visa category is for personnel whose immigration is in the national interest, personnel with advanced degrees and personnel with exceptional skills.
EB-3:Â The third preference category (which comprises of professionals, skilled workers, and other workers) sees the final action date for China leap by 7 months to June 1, 2015, while India sees a movement of over a year to February 1, 2008. For the Philippines, the cutoff date is January 1, 2017. The cutoff data stays current for other regions including El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico.
EB-4:Â For the fourth preference (EB-4) not including certain religious workers, Mexico sees the final action date move by 5 weeks to August 8, 2016. The cutoff date for El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala remains at December 1, 2015. The EB-4 is issued to”special immigrants”.
EB-5: The fifth preference category EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa, Non-Regional Center sees no change as China’s cutoff date is July 22, 2014, and for the rest of regions of chargeability, the date is current for April 2018.
Others: Certain Religious Workers and 5th Regional Center (I5 and R5) cutoff dates are unavailable.
Family-Sponsored Preference Cases
F1:Â For this category, the final action date for Mexico is September 8, 1996, while for the Philippines it is January 1, 2006. For every other region including China (Mainland) and India, the final action date is January 1, 2012. This category is issued to unmarried children under 21 citizens.
F2A: For the F2A category, which comprises unmarried children under 21 permanent residents, Mexico’s final action date is April 1, 2016, the rest of the countries have a final action date of May 1, 2016.
F2B: For the F2B category, which contains unmarried children over 21 permanent residents, Mexico’s final action date is April 1, 2016; the Philippines have a cutoff date of November 1, 2006. While the rest of the countries have a cutoff date of May 1, 2016.
F3:The Third Preference of the Family-Based immigration visa Categories sees Mexico’scutoff date at July 8, 1995, and the Philippines at March 22, 1995. This category is issued to married children of any age of citizens of the United States.
F4: The F4 category has china’s cutoff date at September 15, 2004, India’s at February 15, 2004, Mexico’s at December 8, 1997, Philippines’ at December 15, 1994, and all chargeability regions except ones already mentioned in this section at September 15, 2004. The F4 category visa is issued to siblings of citizens of the United States.
Final Action Dates, April 2018
EB Preference Cases
|
|
India | China (Mainland) | Mexico | The rest of Chargeability Areas, apart from those mentioned | The Philippines |
El Salvador, |
| EB-1(First Preference) |
January 1, 2012 |
January 1, 2012 | C | C | C |
C |
| EB-2(Second Preference) |
December 22, 2008 |
August 1, 2014 | C | C | C |
C |
| EB-3 (Third Preference) |
February 1, 2008 |
June 1, 2015 | C | C | January 1, 2017 |
C |
| Other Workers |
February 1, 2008 |
April 1, 2007 | C | C | January 1, 2017 |
C |
| EB-4(Fourth Preference) |
C |
C | 08AUG16 | C | C |
December 15, 2015 |
C=Current
Family-Sponsored Preference Cases
| India | China (Mainland) | Mexico | The Philippines | Rest of Chargeability Areas, apart from those mentioned | |
| F1 (First Preference) | April 8, 2011 | April 8, 2011 | September 8, 1996 | January 1, 2006 | April 8, 2011 |
| F2 (Second Preference) –Â F2A | May 1, 2016 | May 1, 2016 | April 1, 2016 | May 1, 2016 | May 1, 2016 |
| F2 (Second Preference) –Â F2B | April 8, 2011 | April 8, 2011 | November 1, 1996 | November 1, 2006 | April 8, 2011 |
| F3 (Third Preference) | January 8, 2006 | January 8, 2006 | July 8, 1995 | March 22, 1995 | January 8, 2006 |
| F4 (Fourth Preference) | February 15, 2004 | September 15, 2004 | December 8, 1997 | December 15, 1994 | September 15, 2004 |
C=Current
Read Relevant News: 1-Â Â Understanding The Monthly Visa Bulletin USA.
                       2-  February 2018 Visa Bulletin: Modest Advancements.
                       3- January 2018 Visa Bulletin: Moderate Movement Of Cutoff Dates.
                      4-  December 2017 Visa Bulletin Movements By Country.
Sources:Travel.state.gov. (2018). Visa Bulletin For April 2018. [online] Available at: https://travel.state.gov/ [Accessed 16 March 2018].​
