June 2023 Visa Bulletin Analysis: A Mixed Bag with Key Movements and a Notable Retrogression

Welcome to ImmiBook's detailed analysis of the **June 2023 Visa Bulletin**! For millions of immigrants worldwide, the monthly Visa Bulletin from the U.S. Department of State is a beacon of hope and, at times, a source of anxiety. It dictates when you can move forward with your green card application, and understanding its nuances is crucial for planning your immigration journey.

This month's bulletin, released in mid-May, presents a landscape of mostly stagnant dates across many categories, with a few notable advancements and one significant retrogression. While the overall picture remains one of slow progress, especially for family-sponsored categories, there are specific movements that demand attention for certain employment-based applicants.

At ImmiBook, we understand the immense anticipation and stress that comes with waiting for your visa to become available. Our goal with this analysis is to break down the complex data into clear, actionable insights, helping you understand exactly what the June 2023 Visa Bulletin means for your specific situation. You can always track the latest updates and historical data with our ImmiBook Visa Bulletin Tracker.

Understanding the Visa Bulletin: Final Action Dates vs. Dates for Filing

Before diving into the specifics, let's quickly recap the two main charts in the Visa Bulletin:

• Final Action Dates (Chart A): This is the most critical date. Your priority date must be earlier than the Final Action Date for your category and country of chargeability for USCIS to make a final decision on your Adjustment of Status (I-485) application or for the National Visa Center (NVC) to schedule your immigrant visa interview.
• Dates for Filing (Chart B): This chart indicates when applicants can *file* their Adjustment of Status application (I-485) with USCIS or submit required documents to the NVC, even if their visa isn't immediately available for final approval. USCIS determines monthly whether applicants can use Chart B for filing. **For June 2023, USCIS has indicated that applicants in all family-sponsored preference categories and all employment-based preference categories MUST use the Final Action Dates (Chart A) for filing Adjustment of Status applications.** This means Chart B is essentially inactive for filing I-485s this month.

You can always find the official Visa Bulletin on the U.S. Department of State website.

June 2023 Visa Bulletin: The Overall Picture

The June 2023 Visa Bulletin shows:

• **2 categories advanced:** Both within the EB-3 Other Workers category for China.
• **1 category retrogressed:** EB-5 Unreserved for India.
• **147 categories remained unchanged:** This indicates widespread stagnation across most preference categories for most countries.
• **No categories became "Current"** from a previous backlog.
• **No categories became "Unavailable."**

The average movement for the categories that did advance was approximately 209 days. This overall slow movement, with a significant retrogression, highlights the persistent challenges of high demand and limited visa numbers, especially in the employment-based categories.

Detailed Analysis: Employment-Based Preference Categories

Employment-based categories (EB-1 through EB-5) account for approximately 140,000 immigrant visas annually, plus any unused family-sponsored visas from the previous fiscal year. However, per-country limits and high demand mean that backlogs are common for India, China, and often the Philippines and Mexico.

EB-1: Priority Workers

• **Status:** Largely **Current** for most countries.
• **China & India:** Remain **Current** for Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing.

What this means for applicants: EB-1 remains the fastest path to a green card for eligible individuals. If you qualify as an alien of extraordinary ability, outstanding professor or researcher, or certain multinational manager or executive, and you are from China or India, your green card path continues to be smooth sailing. You can file your I-485 application (if in the U.S.) or proceed with consular processing without delay due to visa availability.

EB-2: Professionals Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability

• **Status:** Mostly **Unchanged** from the previous month.
• **India:** Final Action Date holds at **October 8, 2011**. Dates for Filing remains at **May 1, 2012**.
• **China:** Final Action Date holds at **June 8, 2019**. Dates for Filing remains at **July 8, 2019**.
• **All Other Countries:** Remain **Current**.

What this means for applicants: For Indian and Chinese applicants, the wait continues to be long and slow. The dates have been largely stagnant, reflecting overwhelming demand. If your priority date is not yet current, continue to monitor the bulletin. For those from other countries, EB-2 remains a viable and relatively quick option.

EB-3: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers

This category saw the most significant positive movements this month, specifically for Chinese applicants in the "Other Workers" sub-category.

• **India:** Final Action Date holds at **June 15, 2012**. Dates for Filing remains at **August 1, 2012**.
• **Philippines:** Final Action Date holds at **May 1, 2020**. Dates for Filing remains at **January 1, 2023**.
• **All Other Countries:** Remain **Current**.

EB-3 Other Workers (China) - Significant Advancement!

This is the highlight of the June 2023 Visa Bulletin for employment-based categories. Both Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing advanced notably.

Final Action Date (Chart A):

• **Old Date (May 2023):** April 15, 2015
• **New Date (June 2023):** September 1, 2015
• **Movement:** Advanced by **139 days (over 4.5 months)!**

Dates for Filing (Chart B):

• **Old Date (May 2023):** November 1, 2015
• **New Date (June 2023):** January 1, 2016
• **Movement:** Advanced by **61 days (2 months)!**

Here's a table summarizing the EB-3 Other Workers (China) movement:

What this means for applicants:

• For EB-3 Other Workers from China: If your priority date is now on or before September 1, 2015, and you are already in the U.S. with an I-140 approved, you can expect USCIS to process your I-485 application for final approval or schedule an interview. If you are outside the U.S., the NVC may now schedule your interview. This is a significant step forward after a period of slower movement.
• For other EB-3 categories: Indian and Filipino applicants continue to face substantial backlogs. The dates for India are still far behind, indicating a very long wait. For all other countries, EB-3 remains current, offering a relatively fast route to a green card.

EB-4: Certain Special Immigrants

• **Status:** Mostly **Current** for most countries.
• **El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico:** Final Action Date holds at **January 1, 2019**. Dates for Filing remains at **May 1, 2019**.

What this means for applicants: This category remains current for most countries. However, for the specified Central American countries and Mexico, there is still a backlog. If you fall into one of these countries, ensure your priority date is current before expecting final action.

EB-5: Immigrant Investors

The EB-5 category, particularly for Indian applicants, saw a significant retrogression this month.

• **EB-5 Unreserved (All Countries Except China & India):** Remains **Current**.
• **EB-5 Unreserved (China):** Final Action Date holds at **September 8, 2015**. Dates for Filing remains at **January 1, 2017**.

EB-5 Unreserved (India) - Significant Retrogression!

This is the most impactful negative change in the June 2023 Visa Bulletin.

Final Action Date (Chart A):

• **Old Date (May 2023):** June 1, 2018
• **New Date (June 2023):** April 1, 2017
• **Movement:** Retrogression of **426 days (over 14 months)!**

Here's a table summarizing the EB-5 Unreserved (India) movement:

What this means for applicants:

• For EB-5 Unreserved from India: This is a major setback. If your priority date was current last month but is now *after* April 1, 2017, your I-485 application processing will be halted, or your consular interview will be delayed indefinitely until your priority date becomes current again. This retrogression is likely due to high demand exceeding the available annual visa numbers for India in this category.
• EB-5 Set-Aside Categories (Rural, High Unemployment, Infrastructure): For all countries, including India and China, the EB-5 Set-Aside categories remain **Current**. This is a critical distinction. If you filed under one of these set-aside categories, you are not affected by the retrogression in the unreserved category.

Actionable Advice for EB-5 India Applicants affected by Retrogression:

• **Do not panic, but be prepared:** While this is frustrating, retrogression is a mechanism to manage visa demand. Your application is not denied; it is simply on hold until a visa becomes available again.
• **Monitor future bulletins:** Keep a close eye on upcoming Visa Bulletins. Dates can move forward again, though often slowly after a significant retrogression.
• **Consult with your immigration attorney:** Discuss your options. While generally limited during retrogression, your attorney can advise if any new strategies or alternative categories might apply to your situation.
• **Maintain your non-immigrant status:** If you are in the U.S. and your I-485 is now on hold, ensure you maintain a valid underlying non-immigrant status (e.g., H-1B, L-1) to remain legally in the country.

Detailed Analysis: Family-Sponsored Preference Categories

Family-sponsored categories (F1 through F4) account for approximately 226,000 immigrant visas annually, plus any unused employment-based visas from the previous fiscal year. These categories consistently face long backlogs due to high demand and per-country limits.

For June 2023, **all family-sponsored categories remained unchanged** from the previous month. This means the long waiting times persist.

F1: Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens

• **Mexico:** Final Action Date holds at **August 1, 2000**. Dates for Filing remains at **April 15, 2002**.
• **Philippines:** Final Action Date holds at **March 1, 2012**. Dates for Filing remains at **June 1, 2013**.
• **All Other Countries:** Final Action Date holds at **January 1, 2015**. Dates for Filing remains at **September 1, 2017**.

What this means for applicants: The F1 category continues its slow crawl. Applicants from Mexico and the Philippines face particularly long waits. If your priority date is approaching, ensure all your documents are ready for submission when your date becomes current for final action.

F2A: Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents

• **All Countries:** Final Action Date holds at **February 8, 2019**. Dates for Filing remains at **September 1, 2023**.

What this means for applicants: This category, which was "Current" for a long time, has seen significant backlogs in recent months. The dates remain stagnant. While the Dates for Filing date is significantly more advanced, remember that USCIS requires using Final Action Dates (Chart A) for I-485 filing this month. This means new I-485 filings are largely on hold for this category, and those who filed previously are waiting for their Final Action Date to become current.

F2B: Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents

• **Mexico:** Final Action Date holds at **May 1, 2001**. Dates for Filing remains at **October 15, 2002**.
• **Philippines:** Final Action Date holds at **October 22, 2011**. Dates for Filing remains at **October 1, 2013**.
• **All Other Countries:** Final Action Date holds at **September 22, 2015**. Dates for Filing remains at **January 1, 2017**.

What this means for applicants: Similar to F1, this category sees very slow movement, with significant backlogs for Mexico and the Philippines. Patience is key, and continued monitoring of the bulletin is essential.

F3: Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens

• **Mexico:** Final Action Date holds at **April 1, 1997**. Dates for Filing remains at **October 15, 1997**.
• **Philippines:** Final Action Date holds at **November 8, 2003**. Dates for Filing remains at **June 8, 2004**.
• **All Other Countries:** Final Action Date holds at **April 22, 2009**. Dates for Filing remains at **June 1, 2010**.

What this means for applicants: This category has some of the longest backlogs, especially for Mexico and the Philippines. The dates have been stagnant for a while. If you have a petition in this category, you are likely in for a very long wait.

F4: Brothers and Sisters of U.S. Citizens

• **India:** Final Action Date holds at **September 15, 2005**. Dates for Filing remains at **February 22, 2006**.
• **Mexico:** Final Action Date holds at **August 1, 1999**. Dates for Filing remains at **April 1, 2000**.
• **Philippines:** Final Action Date holds at **April 22, 2004**. Dates for Filing remains at **August 1, 2004**.
• **All Other Countries:** Final Action Date holds at **March 22, 2007**. Dates for Filing remains at **September 1, 2007**.

What this means for applicants: The F4 category typically has the longest waiting times of all family-sponsored preferences, and June's bulletin offers no relief. The dates for India, Mexico, and the Philippines are particularly distant. This is a category that requires extreme patience and long-term planning.

Historical Context and General Trends

The June 2023 Visa Bulletin continues a trend we've observed for several months: generally slow movement, particularly in family-sponsored categories, and significant backlogs for high-demand countries like India, China, Mexico, and the Philippines in both employment and family-based categories.

The **EB-3 Other Workers (China) advancement** is a positive sign, indicating some visa numbers became available for this specific niche. However, the **EB-5 India retrogression** serves as a stark reminder of the volatility in categories with high demand. Retrogressions often occur when the demand for visas exceeds the annual supply, forcing the State Department to pull back dates to stay within legal limits.

The fact that USCIS has directed applicants to use Final Action Dates (Chart A) for filing I-485s this month is also significant. This means fewer people can file new applications, which can slow down overall processing and indicates that USCIS is managing its current caseload rather than encouraging new filings.

As we approach the end of the fiscal year (September 30th), we might see some fluctuations. Sometimes, dates advance if there are unused visas that need to be allocated before the year ends. Conversely, categories might retrogress if demand has been higher than anticipated throughout the year. The current pattern suggests a cautious approach to visa allocation.

Actionable Advice for All Applicants

Regardless of your category, here's what you should be doing:

1. **Know Your Priority Date:** This is the most crucial piece of information. It's usually the date your petition (e.g., I-130, I-140) was properly filed and received by USCIS.
2. **Identify Your Category and Country:** Understand which preference category (e.g., F2A, EB-3) and country of chargeability apply to you.
3. **Check the Visa Bulletin Monthly:** Stay informed! The Visa Bulletin is updated around the middle of each month for the following month. Use tools like the ImmiBook Visa Bulletin Tracker to easily monitor changes and set alerts.
4. **Consult with an Immigration Attorney:** If your priority date is current or approaching, or if you are affected by a retrogression, speak with an experienced immigration attorney. They can provide personalized advice, help you prepare documents, and navigate complex situations.
5. **Prepare Your Documents:** Even if your date isn't current, use this time to gather all necessary documents for your I-485 application or consular interview. This includes birth certificates, marriage certificates, police clearances, medical exam results, and financial documents.
6. **Maintain Valid Status (If in U.S.):** If you are in the U.S. on a non-immigrant visa (e.g., H-1B, F-1, L-1), ensure you maintain your legal status, especially if your I-485 application is on hold due to retrogression or if you cannot file yet.
7. **Understand the Impact of Chart A vs. Chart B:** Always check the USCIS website for their monthly directive on which chart to use for filing I-485 applications. For June 2023, it's Chart A.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is a priority date?

A: Your priority date is essentially your place in the visa queue. For family-sponsored preferences, it's the date the I-130 petition was filed. For employment-based preferences, it's generally the date the PERM labor certification was filed, or the I-140 petition if no PERM is required.

Q: What does "Current" mean in the Visa Bulletin?

A: "Current" means that immigrant visas are immediately available for all eligible applicants in that category and country of chargeability. If your category is "Current," you can proceed with filing your I-485 or completing consular processing without delay due to visa availability.

Q: What is retrogression?

A: Retrogression occurs when the demand for immigrant visas in a particular category and country exceeds the available supply for a given period. To manage this, the State Department moves the priority date backward, making visas temporarily unavailable for applicants whose priority dates were previously current.

Q: What should I do if my priority date retrogressed?

A: If your priority date retrogressed, your application processing (I-485 or consular processing) will be paused until your date becomes current again. It's crucial to maintain your underlying non-immigrant status if you're in the U.S. and consult with your attorney about your options.

Q: How often is the Visa Bulletin updated?

A: The Visa Bulletin is published monthly by the U.S. Department of State, typically around the second or third week of the preceding month (e.g., the June bulletin is released in mid-May).

Q: Can the dates in the Visa Bulletin change unpredictably?

A: Yes, dates can fluctuate based on demand, visa usage, and legislative changes. While the State Department tries to predict demand, unforeseen surges or drops can lead to rapid advancements or retrogressions.

Q: What if my country isn't specifically listed under a category?

A: If your country is not specifically listed, you fall under the "All Other Countries" column for that category.

Summary and Outlook

The June 2023 Visa Bulletin offers a mixed bag of news. While the significant advancement for **EB-3 Other Workers from China** provides a glimmer of hope for a specific group, the widespread stagnation across most family-sponsored categories and the notable **retrogression for EB-5 Unreserved India** underscore the ongoing challenges in the U.S. immigration system.

The overall trend suggests continued slow movement for most backlogged categories. With USCIS directing applicants to use Final Action Dates (Chart A) for filing I-485s, the pace of new green card applications will likely remain constrained. As the fiscal year progresses, we may see some minor adjustments, but significant widespread advancements are unlikely given the current demand. Applicants from heavily backlogged countries should brace for continued long waits and focus on preparing their documentation meticulously.

We at ImmiBook understand that waiting for visa availability can be an incredibly stressful and uncertain time. Our commitment is to provide you with the most up-to-date and understandable information. Keep tracking your status and the Visa Bulletin with our ImmiBook Visa Bulletin Tracker, and consult with a qualified immigration attorney for personalized guidance.

Stay informed, stay patient, and keep hope alive.