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Visa Bulletin for October 2008

Final action dates for family-sponsored and employment-based green cards, as published by the U.S. Department of State.

25 final action dates advanced and 2 retrogressed compared with September 2008. Biggest moves: F2A (Mexico) advanced to May 1, 2001; EB-3 (all countries and Philippines) advanced to Jan 1, 2005; EB-3 (China) advanced to Oct 1, 2001.

Final Action Dates — October 2008

An immigrant visa or green card can be approved only if the priority date is earlier than the date shown. Changes compared with September 2008 are shown under each date.

Family	All countries*	China	India	Mexico	Philippines
F1	Apr 15, 2002 +14 d	Apr 15, 2002 +14 d	Apr 15, 2002 +14 d	Sep 8, 1992 no change	Apr 1, 1993 no change
F2A	Jan 1, 2004 +31 d	Jan 1, 2004 +31 d	Jan 1, 2004 +31 d	May 1, 2001	Jan 1, 2004 +31 d
F2B	Dec 15, 1999 no change	Dec 15, 1999 no change	Dec 15, 1999 no change	Apr 22, 1992 no change	—
F3	Jun 22, 2000 +7 d	Jun 22, 2000 +7 d	Jun 22, 2000 +7 d	Sep 15, 1992 no change	May 1, 1991 +9 d
F4	Oct 22, 1997 +21 d	May 1, 1997 +23 d	May 22, 1997 +44 d	Jan 15, 1995 no change	Mar 8, 1986 no change

Employment	All countries*	China	India	Mexico	Philippines
EB-1	Current no change	Current no change	Current no change	Current no change	Current no change
EB-2	Current no change	Apr 1, 2004 −28 mo	Apr 1, 2003 −40 mo	Current no change	Current no change
EB-3	Jan 1, 2005	Oct 1, 2001	Jul 1, 2001	Jul 1, 2002	Jan 1, 2005
EB-3 Other Workers	Jan 1, 2003	Jan 1, 2003	Jan 1, 2003	Jan 1, 2003	Jan 1, 2003
EB-4	Current no change	Current no change	Current no change	Current no change	Current no change
EB-5 Unreserved	Current no change	Current no change	Current no change	Current no change	Current no change

* "All countries" = All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed. "Current" means no backlog: any priority date qualifies. Dates are copied from the official bulletin; always confirm on travel.state.gov before acting.

Summary

What changed in the October 2008 Visa Bulletin?

F2A (Mexico) advanced to May 1, 2001; EB-3 (all countries and Philippines) advanced to Jan 1, 2005; EB-3 (China) advanced to Oct 1, 2001; EB-3 (India) advanced to Jul 1, 2001; EB-3 (Mexico) advanced to Jul 1, 2002; EB-3 Other Workers (all countries, China, India, Mexico and Philippines) advanced to Jan 1, 2003; EB-2 (India) retrogressed 40 months to Apr 1, 2003; EB-2 (China) retrogressed 28 months to Apr 1, 2004.

Sources.

Visa Bulletin for October 2008 (travel.state.gov)

Figures are copied from the official files without changes; derived numbers (changes, backlog estimates) are explained on the methodology page. Not legal advice.