The US Department of State has released the July 2008 Visa Bulletin announcing the UNAVAILABILITY of 3rd preference immigrant visa.



The demand for numbers, primarily by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for adjustment of status cases brings the entire employment 3rd preference category to the annual numerical limit by the end of June. As a result, this category will become “unavailable” beginning in July and will remain so for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2008 (September). The availability of visas is expected to return to the cut-off dates established for June beginning the new Fiscal Year (October).

Discouraging isn’t it? Definitely it is, especially for healthcare professionals who have already completed their part of the immigration process and are just waiting for Embassy interview. The U.S. Consulate/Embassy cannot accommodate interviews until visas become available again. There is no way we can change the rule; we have no choice but to accept it. Therefore, if you are under this category, the best thing to do while the problem exists is to continue gaining hospital experience in preparation for your transition to the USA healthcare set-up.

On the other hand, if you have an ongoing immigration application but has not yet taken the required examinations, then this is the best time to do it. Being documentary ready by the time visas become available again will surely expedite your mobilization. It’s even a lot better if you can prepare for the exams while you continue your hospital work. It’s like hitting two birds with one stone.

Furthermore, if you still don’t have an application for immigration, you should not waste time. Continue your hospital experience and find a U.S. employer/petitioner where your qualification would best fit. If you do not have the means to pay the exam fees, there are U.S. petitioners who provide financial assistance for the exams and credentialing requirements. Completing the pre-requisites for visa filing while the retrogression is in effect would help speed up the process.

Since year 2000, IPAMS has deployed around 3,000 healthcare professionals and qualified dependents to the USA under the Employment Based 3rd preference immigrant visa. Currently, we have approximately 200 candidates waiting for Embassy interview while around 600 candidates in the pipeline. Despite the visa retrogression, our US principals continue to conduct recruitment activities with hopes to bring more Filipino healthcare professionals to the USA the soonest possible time.

Let us hope and pray that visas would indeed become available by October, better yet if priority dates would become current all the way to 2008.

Nevertheless, achieving your American Dream is worth the wait, isn’t it?