August Visa Bulletin Stuns Indians Awaiting US Green Cards in EB-1 Category

In a disheartening turn of events, the August 2023 visa bulletin released by the US Department of State has delivered a shocking blow to Indians eagerly awaiting their US green cards, particularly those in the highly sought-after Employment-Based First (EB-1) category. This bulletin has once again underscored the challenging and prolonged journey faced by Indians on the path to obtaining permanent residency status in the United States.

The EB-1 category, which caters to exceptionally talented individuals on a fast track, witnessed a significant setback in the form of a 10-year retrogression. The final action date for Indian applicants regressed from February 1, 2022, to January 1, 2012, a jarring jump of a decade. This unexpected and drastic change has left many high-skilled professionals frustrated and uncertain about their future prospects.

Legal experts have expressed their concern over the impact of this retrogression. The sudden shift in priority dates has led to prolonged delays in the green card application process for Indian applicants in the EB-1 category, hindering their ability to progress with their career plans and personal lives.

Experts believe that the retrogression is a consequence of the increasing demand for EB-1 visas across the globe, leading to a shortage of available visa numbers for Indian applicants. The situation is further exacerbated by the per-country numerical limitations and heightened demand from various countries.

There is, however, a glimmer of hope on the horizon. The visa bulletin has hinted at a potential improvement in the EB-1 final action date for Indians as early as October 2023. This anticipated advancement could provide relief to many applicants who have been grappling with uncertainty and delays.

Additionally, discussions are underway regarding potential executive actions that could alleviate the backlog and provide relief to affected individuals. A letter from a bipartisan group of US House representatives has urged the Biden administration to consider measures that would expedite green card processing and improve the immigration system’s efficiency.

While the situation remains complex and uncertain, affected individuals and legal experts alike are hopeful that measures will be taken to address the challenges faced by Indians awaiting their US green cards. As the new fiscal year approaches, the expectations for relief and progress remain high.