The U.S. State Department's latest Visa Bulletin (March 2005) shows there is some good news and some bad for those who are waiting to immigrate to the United States under the employment-based, third-preference category.

For those who fall under the employment-based, third-preference, skilled worker category (that is, those who work in positions that require two to four years of education or experience), the news is relatively good: The priority date remains current for those whose country of chargeability is other than China, India, or the Philippines. For those whose country of chargeability is China, India or the Philippines, the Visa Bulletin shows some forward movement, from January 1, 2002, to March 1, 2002.

However, for those who fall under the employment-based "other worker " category (that is, those whose positions require less than two years of training or experience) the news is not good: Regardless of the country of chargeability, the Visa Bulletin shows that the priority dates have retrogressed to July 1, 2001, which means that visa numbers are now available to only those individuals with a priority date of July 1, 2001 or earlier.

NOTE:  Immigration law provides annual limits on the number of individuals from each country and in each visa category to immigrate to the United States. Once this limit is reached, individuals in these categories are put on a waiting list, based on their priority date. For employment-based, third-preference applicants, the priority date is established by the date the labor certification application was filed.

Click here to view the the U..S. Department of State Visa Bulletin for March 2005.