The February 2013 Visa Bulletin does not provide predictions for cutoff date movement later in the year.  Let’s hope that the highly anticipated Immigration Reform which President Obama says must happen this year---will bring current the wait times for visas in both the employment and family based categories.   

Family-based categories:

First (F1): This preference is for unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens (21 years of age and older).

• The priority dates for China, India and "Other Countries" have progressed approximately 1 month.
• There is slight movement in this category for Mexico.
• The priority date for Philippines has progressed approximately 2 months.

Second:

A. (F2A) This preference is for spouses and children (under 21 years of age) of legal permanent residents.

• The priority dates for all countries have progressed approximately 1 month.

B. (F2B) This preference is for unmarried sons and daughters (21 years of age or older) of legal permanent residents.

• The priority dates for all countries have progressed approximately 1 month.

Third (F3): This preference is for married sons and daughters of US citizens.

• The priority dates for China, India, The Philippines and “Other Countries” have progressed approximately 2 weeks.
• The priority date for Mexico remains the same.

Fourth (F4): This preference is for brothers and sisters of adult US citizens.

• There is slight movement in this category for China, India, Mexico and “Other Countries”.
• The priority date for Philippines has progressed approximately 2 weeks.

Employment-based categories (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3 & "Other Workers"):

EB-1: This preference is reserved for persons of extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics; outstanding professors or researchers; and multinational executives and managers.

• This category remains current for all countries.

EB-2: This preference is reserved for persons who are members of the professions holding advanced degrees or for persons with exceptional ability in the arts, sciences, or business.

• The priority date for China has progressed approximately 1 month to January 15, 2008.
• The priority date for India, established in the October 2012 bulletin remains the same.
• The priority dates for Mexico, Philippines and “Other Countries” remain current.

EB-3: This preference is reserved for professionals, skilled workers, and other workers.

• The priority dates for China, Mexico, and “Other Countries”   - There is slight movement in this category for India and The Philippines.

"Other workers".

- The priority date for China remains the same at July 1, 2003.

- There is slight movement in this category for India and The Philippines.

- The priority dates for Mexico and “Other Countries” have progressed 1 month.