The December US Visa Bulletin has brought encouraging news for Indian professionals seeking permanent residency in the United States under employment-based categories. The latest update from the US Department of State shows significant movement in the green card priority dates, particularly for Indian applicants. This change could reduce the long waiting periods faced by many professionals from India working in the US on H-1B or similar visas.
The bulletin highlights progress in the EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 visa categories. The EB-1 category, which includes individuals with extraordinary abilities or outstanding researchers, has shown notable forward movement. Similarly, the EB-2 and EB-3 categories, covering professionals with advanced degrees and skilled workers, have also seen positive developments. These changes signal the US government’s effort to ease backlogs and support lawful immigration in employment sectors where demand for skilled talent remains high.
Indians typically form a large portion of the employment-based green card queue. The backlog has long been a concern due to the annual country caps on green cards issued, causing delays of several years. The recent changes in the Visa Bulletin could speed up the green card process for many, allowing professionals and their families to secure permanent residency sooner than expected.
The movement in priority dates may also influence future immigration decisions of Indian IT professionals, engineers, healthcare workers, and others working in sectors vital to the US economy. It’s a hopeful development in US-India talent exchange and immigration policies.
