The August 2016 State Department Visa Bulletin shows that the worldwide EB-2 preference (for jobs that require at least a masters degree, or a bachelor’s degree plus five years experience) has retrogressed to February 1, 2014, a backlog of about two and a half years. However, in spite of the retrogression, applicants are still able to file their adjustment applications regardless of their priority date, although they will not be able to receive their green cards unless their priority dates are February 1, 2014 or earlier.

The worldwide EB-3 category continues to be current for filing and with only a very short backlog for receipt of the green card set at March 15, 2016.

From June to August 2016, EB-2 for India has advanced from October 1, 2004 to November 15, 2004, and EB-3 for India has advanced from September 22, 2004 to November 8, 2004. Thus, there is currently very little difference in the priority dates for EB-2 and EB-3 India. For August 2016, EB-2 and EB-3 China are both exactly the same, stuck at January 1, 2010, the same as it has been for the past two months. For the Philippines, EB-2 is at the same priority date as for the worldwide category, at February 1, 2014, but EB-3 is backlogged to May 15, 2009, a wait of more than seven years.