The U.S. Immigration Visa Bulletin is published by the U.S. Department of State and is divided into two parts:
1. Green Card Approval Dates (Application Final Action Dates): This refers to the dates when visas are approved, also known as Table A;
2. Dates for Filing: This refers to the dates when applicants can submit their I-485 adjustment of status applications, also known as Table B.
Currently, the latest visa bulletin
Below is the March 2018 visa bulletin published at noon on February 12, which is the sixth month of the fiscal year 2018.
It is expected that family-based immigration will continue to use Table B this month, while employment-based immigration will continue to suspend Table B;
Family-based immigrants who are outside the United States can only use consular processing and are not eligible for Table B.
I. Family-Based Immigration July 2018 Visa Bulletin
First Preference F1: Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.
Second Preference F2: Spouses and unmarried children (F2A) of permanent residents; unmarried sons and daughters (F2B) of permanent residents.
Third Preference F3: Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.
Fourth Preference F4: Siblings of U.S. citizens.
Parents, spouses, or unmarried children of U.S. citizens are not subject to quota limitations and can obtain visas at any time without waiting.
Permanent residents can only petition for their spouses, unmarried children, or unmarried adult children, and cannot petition for married children, parents, or siblings.
II. Employment-Based Immigration July 2018 Visa Bulletin
First Preference EB1: Individuals with extraordinary ability, researchers, and multinational executives.
Second Preference EB2: Professionals with advanced degrees and National Interest Waivers (NIW).
Third Preference EB3: Skilled workers and professionals, unskilled workers.
Fourth Preference EB4: Special immigrants and religious workers.
Fifth Preference EB5: Immigrant investors not in a regional center (C5, T5), and those in a regional center (I5, R5).