September Visa Bulletin:
The September Visa Bulletin was released today. The changes this month are relatively minor in terms of impact to most individuals. Both EB-1 and EB-2 will, as expected, remain oversubscribed for individuals from all countries, meaning it will not be possible to immediately adjust status by filing an I-485, receive a final decision on a pending I-485, or receive an immigrant visa. For September 2019, only individuals with priority dates (the date on which your I-140 was filed) before the following dates are eligible to file the I-485, receive a final decision on a pending I-485, or receive an immigrant visa:
EB-1 India: Unavailable – USCIS will not accept or adjudicate any additional I-485s for EB-1 India in September.
EB-1 China: January 1, 2014
EB-1 Rest of World: October 1, 2017
EB-2 India: May 8, 2019
EB-2 China: January 1, 2017
EB-2 Rest of World: January 1, 2018
If you are outside the US and are applying for immigrant visa processing, only individuals with priority dates (the date on which your I-140 was filed) before the following dates are eligible to begin immigrant visa processing:
EB-1 India: October 1, 2017
EB-1 China: October 1, 2017
EB-1 Rest of World: September 1, 2018
EB-2 India: June 1, 2009
EB-2 China: June 1, 2017
EB-2 Rest of World: Current (anyone with an approved I-140 is eligible to begin immigrant visa processing)
Keep in mind that the Visa Bulletin does not affect I-140s at all. You will continue to be able to file your I-140 petitions without interruption, and USCIS will continue to adjudicate I-140s normally. It also does not impact applications for Employment Authorization or Advanced Parole for individuals with a pending I-485.
September is the last month of Fiscal Year 2019. As the year ends, the government is better able to predict remaining visa availability, which is the reason for some of these changes. October 1 will mark the beginning of Fiscal Year 2020, and we expect significant (hopefully positive) changes then. The October Visa Bulletin should be released in mid-September, and we will update you at that time.