The May 2023 Visa Bulletin has been released, and one of the most important takeaways is the warning that India EB2 will retrogress further as soon as next month. While this news is discouraging, the US Department of State reports that they will work diligently to get the India EB2 priority dates back to where they were in the April 2023 Visa Bulletin by October.

Let’s take a look at some of the key updates in the May 2023 Visa Bulletin:

Family-based

• Minor advances of a few weeks for final action dates in various family-based preferences
• Date for filing applications for the F1 preference have advanced by 4 months and 24 days for ROW, China, and India
• Date for filing applications for the F3 preference have advanced by 3 months for ROW, China, and India

Employment-based

• The final action dates for EB2 for ROW, Mexico, and the Philippines have retrogressed further by 4 months and 14 days
• A final action date was established for the EB3 preference for ROW, Mexico, and the Philippines – they are no longer current
• The final action date for the EB4 China category has advanced by 5 months
• The date for filing applications for EB3 has advanced by 4 months for China and advanced by 1 month for Mexico and the Philippines
• NO change for EB2 or EB3 for final action date or date for filing application for India

May 2023 Visa Bulletin Results

Family-based

Final Action Date

Date of Filing Application

Employment-based

Final Action Date

Date of Filing Application

India EB2 and EB5 Will Likely Retrogress Next Month

Due to high demand for both the EB2 and EB5 visa preferences by applicants with priority dates earlier than the established final action dates, the May 2023 Visa Bulletin states that it will be necessary to retrogress India EB2 and EB5 even further as early as next month for June’s Visa Bulletin. 

The US Department of State also states that they will make every effort in October 2023 to return the final action date to at least the final action dates announced for April 2023, which is January 1, 2011 for EB2 and June 1, 2018 for EB5.

Retrogression Coming for India and China EB1 Category

The EB1 green card in the first category of the employment-based preference is specifically for noncitizens of extraordinary ability, professors or researchers, or for certain multinational executives or managers.

The US Department of State reports that due to the increased demand for the EB1 category for the rest of the world, a retrogression in final action dates for China and India is likely in the coming months. 

Further Retrogression for the EB2 Category: ROW, Mexico, and Philippines

The EB2 green card is the second employment-based preference visa and is specifically for those who hold an advanced degree or its equivalent, or a person who has exceptional ability.

Further retrogression was seen in the second category of the employment-based preference (EB2) for Rest of the World countries, Mexico, and the Philippines. Even with retrogression in the April 2023 Visa Bulletin, the US Department of State and the USCIS decided that further retrogression in May 2023 was necessary due to continuing increased demand.

Final Action Date Established for EB3 for ROW, Mexico, and Philippines

As warned about in the March 2023 Visa Bulletin, a final action date for the employment-based third preference for Rest of World, Mexico, and Philippines has been established. This final action date is June 1, 2022. 

Retrogression Coming for Other Workers (EW) EB3 Category 

Due to higher than expected number use in the Other Workers category under the employment-based third preference, it is likely that Rest of World, Mexico, and the Philippines will see a retrogression in the coming months. 

June 2023 Visa Bulletin Predictions

While it does seem like there is progress being made in the family-based category, the employment-based visa demand continues to grow and more retrogression is coming. It is nice to at least have a warning from the US Department of State and the USCIS that they are planning on retrogressing certain preferences, as it will prepare applicants and lessen the disappointment once the next bulletin is released.

We will update our site as soon as we have more detailed predictions for what’s to come in the June 2023 Visa Bulletin.

To view the May 2023 Visa Bulletin, visit the travel.state.gov website.