The Department of State released the latest Visa Bulletin for January 2009 on December 11. The cut-off dates for EB-2 applicants born in mainland China and India moves forward one month compared to dates in December. EB-1 remains unchanged as there are still visa numbers available in that category.

The following are the cut-off dates for employment-based immigration petitions. The dates in parentheses are the cut-off dates for December 2008.

For people born in mainland China:
EB-1: Current (Current)
EB-2: July 8, 2004 (June 1, 2004)
EB-3: June 1, 2002 (February 1, 2002)

For people born in India:
EB-1: Current (Current)
EB-2: July 1, 2003 (June 1, 2003)
EB-3: October 15, 2001 (October 1, 2001)

For all chargeability areas except Mainland China, India, Mexico, and Philippines:
EB-1: Current (Current)
EB-2: Current (Current)
EB-3: May 1, 2005 (May 1, 2005)

One should definitely take into consideration the status of the current visa bulletin when one chooses an immigration path. Most of time, as is the case currently, the EB-1 category does not have visa bulletin retrogression and has visa numbers available for applicants from all chargeability areas. Thus, for applicants born in mainland China and India without available EB-2 visa numbers, EB-1 has a significant advantage. Many aliens have misunderstandings regarding EB-1 requirements. It is often thought that an applicant must have a Ph.D. to be eligible for EB-1, which is not necessarily true. What matters are the applicant’s qualifications, including publications, citations, awards, and so on. We have helped many aliens without a Ph.D. degree successfully apply for their green card under the EB-1(b) category.

Progression of the visa bulletin is hard to predict. Sometimes, it moves fast; at other times, it stagnates. The only thing applicants can do is get their case in the queue line. When visa numbers become available, those applicants who already have their I-140 petitions submitted can immediately file their I-485 petitions.

Overall, it is always advantageous to file an immigration petition as early as possible, regardless of the visa bulletin status. Fortune favors the prepared.

Special Announcement:

The immigration process is often difficult and confusing. Therefore, experienced attorneys at Zhang & Associates would like to extend an invitation to our free immigration seminars. We are holding seminars on Saturday, December 13th in our Houston, Chicago, and New York offices. For more information about times, locations, and RSVP information, please visit our website at:Free Immigration Seminars in Houston, Chicago, and New York on Saturday, December 13th.

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Founded in 1996, Zhang & Associates, P.C. offers legal services to clients nationwide in all aspects of U.S immigration law. We have successfully handled thousands of immigration cases.

At Zhang & Associates, P.C., our attorneys and supporting professionals are committed to providing high-quality immigration and non-immigration visa services. We specialize in NIW, EB-1, PERM, and I-485 cases. In the past twelve years, we have successfully helped thousands of clients get green cards. If you plan to apply for a green card, please send your CV to Attorney Jerry Zhang (info@hooyou.com) for a free evaluation.

Zhang & Associates, PC.

Houston ∙ New York ∙ Chicago ∙ Austin ∙ Los Angeles
Tel：1-800-230-7040, 713-771-8433
Email: @hooyou.com">info@hooyou.com
website：http://www.hooyou.com