June 2010 Visa Bulletin – More of the Same: Gradual Forward Movement; No Change for EB-2 India

The June  2010 Visa Bulletin was released earlier today by the State Department.  The ninth visa bulletin for the fiscal year 2010 brings gradual forward across most employment-based categories except EB-2 India (no change this month, for the third month in a row).

The State Department added another country to the list of oversubscribed countries – Dominican Republic.  This means that for all family and employment-based categories, there is now a category for the Dominican Republic, in addition to China (mainland-born), India, Mexico and the Philippines.

Summary of the June 2010 Visa Bulletin

Below is a summary of the June 2010 Visa Bulletin:

• EB-1 remains current across the board.
• EB-2 ROW remains current, EB-2 China moves forward by one (2) months to November 22, 2005, and EB-2 India remains unchanged at February 1, 2005.  This is the third month in a row when EB-2 India has remained unchanged.
• EB-3 ROW moves forward by almost two (2) months to June 22, 2003, EB-3 China moves forward also by two (2) months to June 22,  2003, while EB-3 India moves forward by three (3) weeks to October 22, 2001.  EB-3 Mexico remains unavailable.
• Other worker visa numbers remains unchanged at June 1, 2001 with the exception of Mexico which is now unavailable.

Why Does EB-2 India Not Move?

Our readers and clients have asked us what is the cause of the lack of movement in the EB-2 India category.  Over the past few years, with the severe retrogression of EB-3 India, many Indian nationals have been able to start and obtain an approval of a new I-140 under the EB-2 category.  Our office has handled a number of such EB-3 to EB-2 “upgrade” cases.  As a result, many of the EB-3 India applicants are now EB-2 India applicants, resulting in delay in the movement of EB-2 India priority dates.   We would be happy to analyze your EB-3 case and help you if you can “port” it to EB-2 – please contact us for a free initial consultation.