The Department of State has just issued the August2019 Visa Bulletin. This is the eleventhVisa Bulletin of Fiscal Year 2019. This blog post analyzes this month’s VisaBulletin. 
August 2019 Visa Bulletin
Table A: Final Action Dates — Applications with these datesmay be approved for their Green Card (Permanent Residency card) or Immigrant Visaappointment.
Employment-
based
All Other
CHINA
INDIA
PHILIPPINES
1st
01JUL16
01JUL16
01JAN15
01JUL16
2nd
01JAN17
01JAN17
02MAY09
01JAN17
3rd
01JUL16
01JAN16
01JAN06
01JUL16
Table B: Dates for Filing — The DOS may work onapplications with these dates. But the Visa cannot be approved until the dateis current per Table A.
Employment-
based
All Other
CHINA
INDIA
PHILIPPINES 
1st
01SEP18
01OCT17
01OCT17
01SEP18
2nd
C
01FEB17
01JUN09 
C
3rd
C
01JUN16
01APR10
C
MU Law Analysis (all references are to Table A unless noted)
TheDOS has retrogressed nearly all categories in August.  This happens almost every year.  It is nothing to be concerned about.  The DOS noted that:
The implementation of the above mentioneddates is expected to be only a temporary issue.  For October, the firstmonth of fiscal year 2020, every effort will be made to return these finalaction dates to those which applied for July.
FAQ
Musillo Unkenholt has received many emails and phone callsfrom people who have questions about this Visa Bulletin.  We have put together this FAQ for all readersof the MU Law Blog.
Q.  Why do the August and September Visa Bulletinsalways have unusual progressions and retrogressions?
A. These two Visa Bulletins are the final two Visa Bulletinsof the US Fiscal Year, which runs from October 1 – September 30.  The DOSmust make sure that it uses all 140,000 employment-based immigrant visas. If it does not use all 140,000 immigrant visas, then the visas do not roll overinto the next fiscal year.  On the other hand, the DOS cannot use morethan 140,000 immigrant visas or else they violate federal law.  
Q. The Philippine and All Other EB2 retrogressed for thefirst time in many years.  Does this mean that the Philippine EB2 and AllOther dates will permanently be retrogressed?
A.  No.  This is a temporary retrogression thatwill only last until October 1, 2019.  The DOS expects that the OctoberVisa Bulletin will be Current for both Philippines and All Other EB-2.
Q.  If I have an interview will I still be able to getmy green card?
A.  If you have an interview before July 31, you willbe able to get your green card.  Howeverif you do not have an interview until August or September, the interview may bepostponed until October.
Q. At what rate will the Philippine EB-3 and All Other EB-3move in 2019 and 202?
A.  The DOS indicated that the Philippine EB-3 and AllOther EB-3 should remain Current or almost Current after October 1.  After October, we expect continued favorableVisa Bulletins for these categories.
Please post any otherquestions to the blog or Facebook and we will try to timely answer.