The US Department of State has issued the August 2012 Visa Bulletin. The DOS Visa Bulletin lists visa availability to inform foreign nationals of when they can file an immigrant visa application or application for adjustment of status to obtain a green card as a US permanent resident based upon an immigrant visa petition filed by them or on their behalf. The dates listed are the priority dates for immigrant petitions. A visa is available if your priority date or an earlier date is listed for your cagtegory and country of chargeability.

The August 2012 Visa Bulletin becomes effective on August 1, 2012. Until then the July 2012 Visa Bulletin remains in effect.

FAMILY BASED IMMIGRATION CATEGORIES

Immediate Relatives: Spouses, Parents, and Unmarried Children Under 21 of US Citizens: Immediate Relative petitions do not have a limit on visa avilability. They are not listed on the Visa Bulletin because there is no wait for a visa to become available for Immediate Relative petitions.

First Preference (F1) Umarried Sons and Daughters of US Citizens: Visa availability for the Philippines moved back (retrogressed) from July 15, 1997 to March 1, 1994. If you have a priority date that is between these two dates you will be able to file your application for adjustment of immigrant visa up until the end of July. You application will remain pending until a visa becomes available again. Visa availability for Mexico did not move and remains at June 8, 1993. Availability for everyone else moved from July 8, 2005 to August 1, 2005.

Second Preference (F2A) Spouses and Unmarried Children Under 21 of US Permanent Residents: Visa availability for Mexico moved from February 1, 2010 to March 1, 2010. Availability for all other countries moved forward from February 15, 2010 to March, 15, 2010.

Second Preference (F2B) Unmarried Sons and Daughters Over 21 of US Permanent Residents: Visa availability for the Philippines moved from December 22, 2001 to January 1, 2002. Availability for Mexico moved from January 1, 1992 to August 22, 1992. Availability for all other countries moved from May 1, 2004 to June 22, 2004.

Third Preference (F3) Married Sons and Daughters of US Citizens: Visa availability for the Philippines did not move this month and remains at July 22, 1992. Availability for Mexico did not move this month and remains at January 22, 1993. Availability for all other countries moved from April 15, 2002 to May 1, 2002.

Fourth Preference (F4) Siblings of US Citzens: Visa availability for the Philippines did not move this month and remains at February 1, 1989. Availability for Mexico moved from to June 8. 1996 to June 15, 1996.  Availability for China-mainland did not move this month and remains at January 8, 2001. Availability for all other countries moved from January 22, 2001 to February 15, 2001.

EMPLOYMENT BASED IMMIGRATION CATEGORIES

First Preference (EB-1) Extraordinary Ability, Intracompany Transferee, or Outstanding Professor or Researcher: Visa availability remains current for all countries.

Second Preference (EB-2) Advance Degree Professional, Exceptional Ability, or National Interest Waiver: Visas for India and China-mainland remain unavailable through the end of the fiscal year. New visas in this category will become available on October 1, 2012. Visa availability for all other countries has not moved this month and remains at January 1, 2009.

Third Preference (EB-3) Professional or Skilled Worker: Availability for the Philippines has moved from June 8, 2006 to June 15, 2006. Availability for India has moved from September 22, 2002 to October 1, 2002. Availability for China-mainland moved from September 22, 2005 to November 8, 2005. Availability for all other countries has moved from July 22, 2006 to September 8, 2006.

Third Preference (Other Workers) Unskilled Worker: Visa Availability for the Philippines has not moved this month and remains at June 8, 2006. Availability for India has moved from September 22, 2002 to October 1, 2002. Availability for China-mainland has not moved this month and remains at June 15, 2003. Availability for all other countries has moved from July 22, 2006 to September 8, 2006.

Fourth Preference (EB-4) Certain Special Immigrants: Visa availability remains current for all countries.

Fourth Preference (Certain Religious Workers): Visa availability remains current for all countries.

Fifth Preference (EB-5) Investors: Visa availability remains current for all countries.

Click here to see the August 2012 DOS Visa Bulletin.

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