On July 20, 2016, the Department of State’s Chief of Visa Control and Reporting Division, Charles Oppenheim, addressed his predictions for visa availability for the balance of this fiscal year when he recently spoke with the American immigration Lawyers Association. The current fiscal year ends on September 30, 2016. Note that on October 1, 2016, at the beginning of the new fiscal year, there will be a renewed supply of visa numbers for all visa categories.
Here are highlights of visa availability for the balance of this fiscal year:
F-2A and F-3: These categories are likely to have numbers go backwards only for September, 2016.
F-4 China: This is expected to remain at January 1, 2003 through the end of the fiscal year.
F-4 India: This is expected to remain at January 1, 2001 through the end of the fiscal year.
EB-2 and EB-3 China: This is expected to remain at January 1, 2010 for the rest of the fiscal year.
EB-2 and EB-3 India: EB-2 is expected to move a bit to a 2005 Final Action date by September, 2016, with EB-2 being 1 week ahead of of EB-3.
EB-3 Worldwide: This is expected to remain close to “Current” for the rest of the fiscal year.
EB-4 (Special Immigrant Juveniles and Religious Workers): The cut off for the four (4) countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico of January 1, 2010 will continue through the end of the fiscal year due to high SIJ demand. The EB-4 cutoff date for India of January 1, 2010, is also expected to continue through the end of the fiscal year.
NOTE:
F-2A = spouses and children under 21 of permanent residents
F-2B = unmarried sons and daughters of permanent residents
F-3 = married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens
F-4 = brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens
EB-2 = members of the professional holding advanced degrees or persons of exceptional ability
EB-3 = skilled workers, professional, and other workers
EB-4 = Special Immigrant Juveniles and religious workers
