Visa Bulletin Dates Leap Ahead

Yesterday the Department of State (DOS) released its June Visa Bulletin. The new Bulletin can be accessed here: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/bulletin/bulletin_3236.html

The relevant part is excerpted here:

If your Labor Certification was filed prior to the date listed above (or in the case of a Schedule A occupation, your I-140 was filed prior to the date listed above), your case is eligible for an immigrant visa (aka green card).

For applicants seeking Adjustment of Status, this means that we may prepare the filing of your I-485 Adjustment of Status. Hammond Law Group clients should click here: http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/485step_by_step.htm and begin working through the four step process. Once you have gathered the items listed at Step One and have completed the G-325A at Step Two, please mail all of the items to your HLG attorney and they will immediately begin working on the I-485. You should also indicate if you would like to have Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) and Advance Paroles (APs) filed on your behalf and your families’ behalf. You may want to schedule a time to speak with your HLG attorney to discuss these issues. However, you should not wait to send in the documents until you speak with your attorney.

For applicants seeking Consular Processing, this means that your case may move past the National Visa Center and be issued an appointment date with the Consulate. HLG is working with the NVC to issue the appointment dates. It is expected that it will take the NVC some time to begin issuing appointment dates.

While time is always critical in all cases, keep in mind that that there is no risk that the retrogression dates will change until at least July 1st. Indeed, it is expected that any change will be favorable. The June Visa Bulletin included this notice:

“The current level of demand in many of the Employment-based categories has been much lower than anticipated. As a result, the June cut-off dates have been advanced significantly in an effort to maximize number use under the annual numerical limits. At this time it appears likely that there will be additional advances during the coming months.”