The U.S. Department of State has released the January Visa Bulletin and it looks like 2013 is off to a good start, especially with regard to the EB-3 category which will see small advancements in four of the five areas of chargeability.  In the EB-2 category, Chinese nationals will see a two month advancement from October 22, 2007 to December 8, 2007; while Indian nationals will remain at September 1, 2004.  Mexican, Filipino, and nationals from all other areas of chargeability remain current through January 2013.  Those in the EB-3 category, with the exception of Filipino nationals, will all see advancements in priority dates.  Chinese, Mexican, and all other chargeability areas will see a two month advancement, while Indian nationals will an advancement of seven days.  See the chart below:   

As always, due to the possibility of retrogression, its vitally important that I-485 applications be filed in the first month of visa availability.  If your priority date is current or will become current based on the January 2013 visa bulletin, please contact our office.

 For additional information regarding the Visa Bulletin, or any other immigration matters, please contact Valentine at 215-979-1840 or at vbrown@duanemorris.com.  

 In the last 3 months visa appointment wait times in Brazil have been reduced from 50 days to 15 days in Rio de Jaeiro and to 6 days in Brasilia. In China 30 day+ waiting times have been reduced to 2-5 days. The dramatic reductions are due to a concerted effort by the State Department that included temporary staff, processing changes and increased use of technology.  In Brazil, the staffing increases will be made permanent with the addition of  50 consular staff positions, thereby doubling the visa workforce.

Wait times in Brazil and China, two of the world’s fastest growing economies, have been slowly creeping up as demand for visas to enter the United States has increased. In Fiscal Year 2011, the US Mission to Brazil processed over 820,000 visa applications, almost one and a half times the number of visas processed the previous year.  The US is also experiencing record demand for visas in China, as consular officers processed a record one million visa applications there, an increase from 2010 by over thirty percent.  The Department of State plans to continue reducing wait times and other processing impediments so that nationals of China, Brazil, and other countries can be interviewed and issued visas in a timely manner.

When planning for a visa appointment at any U.S. consulate, it is best to start early, allow plenty of time for the process,  and be prepared for the worst. Detailed information on the application process, fees, and documentation required is available from the State Department website by clicking on the US Embassy site where the application will be lodged. Visit the site for the Non-Immigrant Visa Unit  in  Rio de Janiero  for Brazil  information and  the Non Immigrant Visa Unit  in Beijing for China information. Safe travels!