Indian Nurses & US Green Cards: March 2023 Visa Bulletin — EB-2/EB-3 Current

The March 2023 Visa Bulletin showed Final Action Dates Current for India EB-2 and EB-3 — meaning no backlog for Indian-born nurses with approved I-140 petitions.

What "Current" Means

• Priority Date (PD) = I-140 filing date (or PERM filing if earlier).
• If PD ≤ Final Action Date → visa number available immediately.
• "Current" (C) = all priority dates current; no wait.

Process for Indian Nurses

1. Job offer from US employer (hospital, agency).
2. PERM Labor Certification (if EB-3) — tests labor market.
3. I-140 Petition filed by employer (EB-2: advanced degree/equivalent; EB-3: bachelor's + 2 yr exp).
4. I-140 approval → PD established.
5. Visa Bulletin Current → File I-485 (Adjustment of Status) if in US, or DS-260 (Consular Processing) if abroad.
6. Green Card issued after interview/background check.

Critical Considerations

• Visa Bulletin changes monthly. Retrogression can return (e.g., FY2024 saw EB-3 India retrogress to 2020). File I-485 immediately when current.
• Concurrent filing: I-140 + I-485 together if current at filing (saves time, gets EAD/AP).
• Dependents: Spouse/children <21 derive status; spouse gets EAD.
• EB-2 vs EB-3: EB-2 requires master's or BS+5 yr progressive experience. Most nurses qualify EB-3. Some with MSN/NP qualify EB-2.
• Premium Processing: Available for I-140 (15 calendar days).

Current Status (2024)

As of mid-2024, EB-3 India has retrogressed (Final Action ~Jan 2021). EB-2 India also backlogged. Monitor Visa Bulletin monthly. File I-485 the moment current.