Visa Bulletin - November 2011

Dear clients:

The Visa Bulletin is published by the Immigrant Visa Control and Reporting Division in the Office of Field Support and Liaison. The division determines the number of visas on a monthly basis which can be allocated in each visa Category. The Chief of the Division is Mr. Charles Oppenheim.

As you may know I am the vice chair of the Department of State liaison committee for the American Immigration Lawyer's Association. My committee discussed projections for future priority date movement at the meeting. I also spoke with Mr. Oppenheim on Wednesday, October 26, 2011 as we prepared for a presentation for the members of the American Immigration Lawyer's Association. Mr. Oppenheim gave a projection on priority dates.

Family cases will continue to move monthly in the worldwide category as follows: F1 will move three to six weeks, F2A will move three to six weeks, F2B will move one or two weeks, F3 will move one or two weeks, and F4 will move up to one month.

Employment cases will move monthly in the worldwide category as follows: First preference will remain current; Second preference will remain current for the worldwide category. Mexico and Philippines will remain current, China and India will have significant movement between now and February. They will move rapidly for the next 4-6 months but then will stop and possibly retrogress. Third preference dates will move in the worldwide category up to one month; China dates will move one to three weeks; India will move one or two weeks; Mexico will move up to one month; Philippines will move up to one month. Fourth and Fifth: will remain current.

Please be advised that these estimates are subject to fluctuations in demand. Those categories with a "Current" projection will remain so for the foreseeable future.

As always I will keep you informed of any updates.