AUGUST Visa Bulletin: What It Means for Filipino Nurses

 

⚠️ Verify before you act
These dates are accurate as of the date above. Visa Bulletin dates change monthly and can move backward with little warning. Always confirm against the official bulletin at travel.state.gov before making any decision affecting your job, your finances, or your family.

 

This Month at a Glance 

The EB-3 Philippines Final Action Date held flat for a second consecutive month, while the State Department repeated its warning that the category may retrogress or become unavailable before the fiscal year ends.

 

EB-3 Philippines

August 2026

July 2026

Movement

Final Action Date

1 August 2023

1 August 2023

No movement

Dates for Filing

1 January 2024

1 January 2024

No movement

Chart USCIS is using (AOS)

Final Action Dates

Final Action Dates

Unchanged

 

For context, Rest-of-World EB-3 currently sits at [e.g. 1 August 2024] — [e.g. a full year ahead of the Philippines, which illustrates how the per-country cap affects high-demand countries].

What Changed 

The Philippines EB-3 Final Action Date remained at 1 August 2023, unchanged from the previous month. Rest-of-World advanced two months to 1 August 2024. The Dates for Filing chart showed no movement for any employment-based category.

What the State Department Said 

The bulletin repeated its standing caution that sufficient demand and increased number use by applicants chargeable to the Philippines in the EB-3 category may make it necessary to retrogress the final action date or make the category unavailable in the coming months. If the bulletin contains no such note this month, say so plainly that absence is itself informative.

What This Means for Your Case 

  • If your priority date is before 1 August 2023, visa numbers are currently available to you and your case can move toward final action but given the explicit retrogression warning, do not assume this window stays open indefinitely.
  • If your priority date is after 1 August 2023, your focus should be on document currency and credential maintenance rather than the bulletin, since the October fiscal-year reset is the next realistic movement point.
  • August and September are historically the tightest months of any fiscal year, as annual limits are consumed. Movement between now and 30 September is more likely to be flat or backward than forward.

Standing Reminders

Your priority date does not change when the bulletin moves — see Your Priority Date Is Safe. The two charts govern different things — see Final Action Dates vs Dates for Filing. And for the practical checklist during the wait, see What to Do While You Wait.

 

Lysa Balboa - NEAC Licensing Supervisor
Author Profile
Lysa Balboa

NEAC's Licensing Supervisor, bringing 9 years of expertise in international medical licensing. As a specialist in NCLEX, License Endorsement, and Visa Screen processing, she has helped thousands of healthcare professionals obtain international licensure. Known for her dedication and in-depth knowledge of licensing regulations, Lysa ensures a smooth and hassle-free application process, guiding applicants at every step. She has also played a key role in major initiatives at NEAC, including co-founding the Processing Department. Her commitment to excellence has established her as a trusted expert in the field.

Leave a comment