THE July 2015 Visa Bulletin continues to provide disappointing news for Filipinos, as the priority dates in the employment based categories (EB-3 and Other Workers) retrogressed (moved backwards) yet again, and are now “unavailable”. This means all EB-3 and OW’s will no longer be eligible to adjust status or receive an immigrant visa, unless and until their priority date becomes current again. Visas may become “available” again in October 2015.
If you have a priority date that is now “current,” you must file for adjustment of status before the retrogression on July 1, 2015—if you are eligible, and take steps to preserve your children’s eligibility under the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA). If you believe you may be eligible to file, you should seek the immediate assistance of an attorney, to analyze your case, and to make sure you file before the July 2015 retrogression!
Each month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various family and employment based categories. A priority date is a person’s “place in line” for a visa, meaning immigrant visas (or green cards) would be available for persons whose priority date is earlier than the cut-off date listed below. If your priority date was “current,” but later retrogressed (or “moved backwards” and became unavailable) before your immigrant visa was issued (or before you adjusted status in the U.S.), you would have to wait until it becomes current again.
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Michael J. Gurfinkel is licensed, and an active member of the State Bar of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different. The information contained herein including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) is of a general nature, and is not intended to apply to any particular case, and does not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.
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