DOS: WE HOPE TO PROGRESS PHILS EB-3 IN THE SUMMER

AILA has discussed the Philippine EB-3 retrogression with Charlie Oppenheim, who is the Department of State’s Chief of the Visa Control and Reporting Division.  Mr. Oppenheim is the person at DOS who writes and produces the Visa Bulletin.

While he cannot speculate as to future dates, he “hopes to advance the cut-off date throughout the summer.”  This statement is consistent with MU Law’s April 14, 2015 blog posting on this issue.

USCIS demand for Philippine EB-3 visa numbers has increased.  The DOS says that 2,000 Philippine EB-3 visa numbers were requested in the six week period leading to the publication of the may Visa Bulletin, which is a massive increase from Fiscal Year 2014 (Oct 1, 2013 – Sept 30, 2014).  FY2014 saw a total of 3,275 Philippine EB-3 immigrant visas used.

MU Law expects that the Philippine EB-3 number will return to 2014 or even 2015 in the forthcoming months.  However if Philippine EB-3 demand continues the Philippine EB-3 number may eventually retrogress negatively, although it is too early to specifically estimate Visa Bulletin dates in calendar year 2016.