Unavailable to January 1, 2005 – October 2008 Visa Bulletin

AlinsugLaw September 12, 2008 — The US Department of State had just issued the Visa Bulletin for October 2008. As regards Filipino nurses waiting on any development on visa availability, the October 2008 Visa Bulletin, at least, brings some movement. Since last July the employment-based visa category (EB3) under which nurses generally fall, has been UNAVAILABLE. In the current Visa Bulletin, the priority date has moved to January 1, 2005 (the same as that in the March 2008 Visa Bulletin). This is a welcome development considering that come October 2008, the new immigration calendar will begin which means that new visas will become available. Below is the relevant portion of the current Visa Bulletin:

House Judicial Committee to Vote on Immigration Bills on September 10, 2008

On September 10, 2008, the House Judiciary Committee will vote on bills of significant importance to Philippine nurses.  Among the bills are the bill to recapture unused visas for EB3 and the bill which would allow 20,000 nurses and PT’s to the US annually.  NurseLaw will be closely watching this event.