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The December 2008 visa bulletin is released by USCIS today and to no surprise the dates are unchanged compared to November 2008. EB2 dates are 1 June 2003 where as EB3 its 1 October 2001. These dates are important for persons who are in green card process so that they can go to next stage of green card process.

The only surprise is that this months bulletin is released little early of the month. This kinds of gives idea that probably USCIS is having good prediction of numbers and we may not see any significant changes going into next year.

Now that elections are over we should see some long pending bills may get some breathing air

Visa bulletin can be found here

Labels: eb-2, eb-3, GreenCard, Immigration, USCIS, visa bulletin

Not a great news again. The November 2008 visa bulletin is released by Mumbai consulate. Dates have advanced only by couple of months. As per Mumbai consulate web page for EB2 dates are 1 June 2003 where as for EB3 it is 1 October 2001. In October visa bulletin EB2 dates are retrogressed to 1 April 2003 where as for EB3 it is 1 July 2001.

Here is Mumbai consulate's November 2008 visa bulletin dates:

Category	India	Most Other Countries
F1	1 May 2002	1 May 2002
FX	15 July 2001	15 July 2001
F2A	8 Februrary 2004	8 February 2004
F2B	15 January 2000	15 January 2000
F3	1 July 2000	1 July 2000
F4	22 July 1997	15 November 1997
E1	Current	Current
E2	1 June 2003	Current
E3	1 October 2001	1 May 2005
EW	15 Janurary 2003	15 Janurary 2003
E4	Current	Current
E4-Religious	Current	Current

Predictions were that EB2 and EB3 dates will advance significantly as the October month gives some idea to USCIS where they stand on visa numbers. Looks like USCIS is still unclear of visa number predictions for November 2008 as they advanced to 2 months.

To confirm visa bulletin dates for November 2008, keep checking USCIS state visa bulletin -

I feel in November 2008 USCIS will get good idea of visa number predictions and so they can advance dates significantly for December 2008What do you think will happen to December 2008 visa bulletin dates ?

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Labels: eb-2, eb-3, Immigration, USCIS, visa bulletin

The suspense is over of what will be the cut off dates for EB2 and EB3 category in October'2008 Visa Bulletin. The October month is when the new fiscal year begins for visa number allotments. The allotments at start of year is always cheering to the numerous immigrants waiting for Greencard approvals.

The Mumbai consulate released the cut-off dates today --



Many predictions were that EB2 will slow down and EB3 changes significantly from unavailable to a much advanced date. Mumbai cut-off dates are available now and its back to square one. For EB2 dates are retrogressed to 1 April 2003 where as for EB3 it is 1 July 2001. Some pleasing news for EB3 as it changed from "Unavailable".

Unless the legislation to acquire all unused past Green card numbers is passed, the wait to become numbers current is a day dream.

Here is the link you can find October's 2008 visa bulletin from USCIS

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Labels: eb-2, eb-3, Fiscal year, H-1B visa, Immigration, Mumbai, United States, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, USCIS, Visa

Update: Click me for Green Card Drama: Visa numbers are unavailable again

WOW still can't believe they have become current ...indeed a real good day for immigrants who are in Green Card process retrogression.

This news is significant and all those who are effected with retrogression should start rejoicing as the wait is over for all applicants who are waiting to file I485 for EAD.

Please check July Visa Bulletin.

All our H1-B and travel hassels will end once we get EAD.My guess is we get probably EAD fast but GC might take a bit longer who cares ...

Get your documents ready do it as soon as possible before things change ..my guess as monthly bulletins we have one month time to do apply.Come August who knows what the bulletin looks like.

Here is the immihelp documents link for I485/EAD/AOS


I'll post all the updates here ..check back soon

Labels: eb-2, eb-3, GreenCard, Immigration, priority dates, retrogression, visa bulletin, VisaNumbers

Desicritics article analyzed the effects of new CIR law introduced:

1. Instead of the current allocation of 140,000 immigrant visas (green card) to skilled workers, this bill brings it down to 90,000.

My Comment : This will hugely impact Indian applicants as out of 90,000 visa numbers there are only few % allocated to India, the best case scenario is availability of around only 20,000 visa numbers which will further retrogress the dates.

2. It will require H1B holders to renew their visas on an annual basis.

My Comment : Never ending saga , renew and renew and no wonder after few years if we hear the words " I'm in my 12th year extension"

3. Under its merit based points system, an agriculture worker can earn 25 points for working 100 days a year for 5 years, while a skilled individual will get 10 points for working the same number of years!

My Comment :Promoting other fields is not a issue but neglecting skilled workers at this crucial juncture of globalisation transformation will adversely effect American future skilled workers.

4. Economic contribution by the undocumented is recognized by awarding points for property ownership but not for people working legally.

My Comment : Politicising the issue for votes does good only to politicians and seriously effects US talent pool shortage.

Labels: CIR bill, eb-2, eb-3, GreenCard, Immigration

Update : Priority dates have become current.Please check the July visa bulletin

Yesterday was in deed a real good day for immigrants who is in Green Card process as long-awaited priority dates movement appeared in US Department of State's current Visa bulletin for June 07.

This is what happened for India applicants : EB-2: Jumped from 01/08/03 to 04/01/2004 , EB-3 From 08/01/2002 to 06/01/2003 and Other Workers from Unavailable to 10/01/2001.

This news is significant and all those who are effected with retrogression should start rejoicing as the wait is over for some people (with priority dates less than what was mentioned in bulletin) who are waiting to file I485 for EAD.

For others too this is a good news if we see the same pace in the numbers movement then there is a high chance that priority dates may become current.

Please check June Visa Bulletin and see for your case if retrogression is over for you.

Labels: eb-2, eb-3, GreenCard, Immigration, priority dates, retrogression, visa bulletin, VisaNumbers