The U.S. Department of State has released the August 2012 Visa Bulletin, which summarizes visa availability for individuals seeking U.S. Permanent Residence. As compared to the July 2012 Visa Bulletin, little movement occurred in the oversubscription date (i.e., the date on which the availability quota was met) for employment-based visa categories:

• EB-2 (professionals with advanced degrees or persons of exceptional ability): There was no progress in the oversubscription date for Indian and Chinese nationals: this category remains unavailable. There also was no further progress for nationals of all other countries–including Mexico and the Philippines–the oversubscription date for which remains at January 2009.
• EB-3 (skilled workers and professionals): The oversubscription date for nationals of India advanced one week, from September 22, 2002 to October 1, 2002. A 48-day advance occurred for nationals of China, from September 22, 2005 to November 8, 2005. The date for Mexico advanced 49 days to September 8, 2006, and the date for the Philippines advanced 8 days to June 15, 2006. There was an advance of 49 days for nationals of all other countries, to September 9, 2006. 
• EB-3 (other workers): There were no changes concerning Chinese nationals (June 15, 2003); Indian nationals’ oversubscription date advanced 10 days, to September 22, 2002; and the oversubscription date for all other countries advanced 49 days, to September 8, 2006

The U.S. Department of State also released the Demand Data Used in the Determination of the August 2012 Employment Preference Cut-Off Dates, which is available here.

Photo credit: David Franklin