The U.S. Department of State (DOS) expects that Schedule A numbers will be available on a “Current” basis throughout all of FY-2006. If the DOS's expectation is accurate, we will not see retrogression of Schedule A occupations -- nurses and physical therapists -- until at least September 30, 2006 . The DOS does not ordinarily make predictions beyond one fiscal year (October 1 - September 30), so this news should not be taken as an indication that it believes that Schedule A numbers will retrogress in October 2006.

In May of 2005, Schedule A occupations became entitled to an additional 50,000 immigrant visa numbers recaptured from previous years, eliminating "retrogression" for Schedule A occupations. These additional schedule A numbers provide some relief to other Employment preference applicants, since any Schedule A applicant whose priority date is beyond the relevant Employment preference cut-off date can be processed and charged against the 50,000 limit. This is the first estimate issued by the DOS on how long these additional 50,000 immigrant visa numbers for Schedule A occupations will last http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/bulletin/bulletin_2712.html

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