March 2015 Visa Bulletin Update
The U.S. Department of State issued the March 2015 Visa Bulletin, which is available here: http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/law-and-policy/bulletin/2015/visa-bulletin-for-march-2015.html. The Visa Bulletin publishes the current priority dates for available immigrant visas for family-based and employment-based sponsorships.
The most significant changes from the February 2015 Visa Bulletin occurred in the employment-based preference categories. Notably, the priority dates are advancing quickly, particularly for nationals of China and India. Below are the key changes:
· The EB2 priority date for China is now September 1, 2010. In February, the priority date was March 15, 2010.
· The EB2 priority date for India is now January 1, 2007. In February, the priority date was September 1, 2005.
· The EB3 priority date for the Philippines, Mexico, and all other countries is now June 1, 2014. In February, the priority date was January 1, 2014.
Family-Sponsored Preference Chart
| Preference Level | Preference Level | India | Mexico | Philippines | All Other Areas |
| F1 |
Aug. 1, 2007 |
Aug. 1, 2007 |
Oct. 22, 1994 |
Feb. 1, 2005 |
Aug. 1, 2007 |
| (unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. Citizens) | |||||
| F2A |
June 22, 2013 |
June 22, 2013 |
May 22, 2013 |
June 22, 2013 |
June 22, 2013 |
| (spouses and children of Permanent Residents) | |||||
| F2B |
July 8, 2008 |
July 8, 2008 |
Jan. 1, 1995 |
Mar. 22, 2004 |
July 8, 2008 |
| (unmarried sons and daughters of Permanent Residents) | |||||
| F3 |
Jan. 22, 2004 |
Jan. 22, 2004 |
Feb. 22, 1994 |
Aug. 1, 1993 |
Jan. 22, 2004 |
| (married sons and daughters of U.S. Citizens) | |||||
| F4 |
May 15, 2002 |
May 15, 2002 |
June 1, 1997 |
Sep. 8, 1991 |
May 15, 2002 |
| (brothers and sisters of adult U.S. Citizens) |
Employment-Based Preference Chart
| Preference Level | Preference Level | India | Mexico | Philippines | All Other Areas |
| EB1 |
Current |
Current |
Current |
Current |
Current |
| (priority workers) | |||||
| EB2 |
Sep. 1, 2010 |
Jan. 1, 2007 |
Current |
Current |
Current |
| (advanced degrees or persons of exceptional ability) | |||||
| EB3 |
Oct. 22, 2011 |
Jan. 1, 2004 |
June 1, 2014 |
June 1, 2014 |
June 1, 2014 |
| (skilled workers and professionals) | |||||
| EB3 |
Aug. 15, 2005 |
Jan. 1, 2004 |
June 1, 2014 |
June 1, 2014 |
June 1, 2014 |
| (other workers) | |||||
| EB4 |
Current |
Current |
Current |
Current |
Current |
| (certain special immigrants) | |||||
| EB5 |
Current |
Current |
Current |
Current |
Current |
| (brothers and sisters of adult U.S. Citizens) |