Employment-based Preference Categories
EB-1:
In February the final action date for EB-1 Worldwide (including El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, Mexico Philippines and Vietnam) advances two months to December 1, 2018. Based on currently available information, it remains possible--yet too early to confirm--that this category could become current in the summer of 2020. The final action dates for EB-1 China and EB-1 India continue to hold at May 22, 2017 and January 1, 2015 respectively in February.
EB-2:
EB-2 Worldwide is current for February 2020. Charlie notes that demand for EB-2 Worldwide numbers continues to trend in such a way that a final action date may be imposed at some point during the second half of FY2020.
EB-2 China advances two weeks in February to July 15, 2015, and EB-2 India advances one day to May 19, 2009.
EB-3:
Charlie notes that EB-3 Worldwide and EB-3 Other Workers Worldwide will become subject to a final action date in March 2020. Charlie will determine what that date will be upon receipt of data from USCIS in February 2020.
EB-3 China advances one month to January 1, 2016 in February 2020, slightly widening the final action date spread between EB-3 China’s and EB-2 China’s final action dates, placing EB-3 China 5.5 months ahead of EB-2 China. Evidence of significant downgrades from EB-2 to EB-3 have not yet materialized, but Charlie continues to watch these categories closely.
EB-3 India advances one week to January 8, 2009 in February 2020, narrowing the gap with EB-2 India, final action date of May 19, 2009, to about four months.
The final action date for EB-3 Philippines advances 2.5 months in February 2020, which exceeds the “up to one month” advancement projected in the January 2020 Visa Bulletin. According to Charlie, the reason for this more aggressive advancement was to allow for additional number usage before EB-3 Worldwide becomes subject to a final action date in March 2020. Approximately 36% of EB-3 Philippines demand is processed at USCIS, with 64% processed at the U.S. Consulate in Manila.