Introduction: Key Updates for USA Visa Applicants
The October 2024 USA Visa Bulletin reveals notable progress for Indian Green Card applicants. Most employment-based categories show advancement, particularly in the EB-3 Worldwide category. This month’s bulletin reflects the end of the fiscal year 2024 visa limits, which influences many applicants’ immigration processes.
Employment-Based Green Cards: Significant Movement
The bulletin highlights substantial advancements in various employment-based categories. For the EB-3 Worldwide category, the final action date has moved forward by nearly two years. This shift allows many applicants to advance their cases. USCIS will process adjustment of status applications based on the dates for filing chart in October 2024. This update is crucial for those eager to move forward.
The fiscal year 2024 visa limit of 160,791 for employment-based immigrants was reached by the end of September 2024. The final action dates show that EB-1 Worldwide remains current, while EB-1 India stands at February 1, 2022. For EB-2, both Worldwide and India categories show stability with no movement. The EB-3 Worldwide date advances to November 15, 2022, and EB-3 India progresses by eight days to November 1, 2012.
Dates for Filing: Key Changes
In the dates for filing chart, EB-1 Worldwide remains unchanged from September. However, EB-1 India advances by two months to April 15, 2022. EB-2 Worldwide moves forward by nearly five months to August 1, 2023, and EB-2 India advances by six months to January 1, 2013. For EB-3, Worldwide progresses by one month to March 1, 2023, and India moves forward by seven months to June 8, 2013.
Understanding the Visa Bulletin: Filing and Final Action Dates
The USA Visa Bulletin is essential for those seeking Green Cards. It provides crucial information about adjusting immigration status and application eligibility based on submission dates. The bulletin features two main sections:
- Dates for Filing: This section specifies when applicants can submit their adjustment of status or immigrant visa applications. It helps applicants determine their eligibility to proceed with filing.
- Final Action Dates: These dates estimate the wait time for application approval, leading to permanent residency. They represent the queue based on visa category and nationality, indicating when applications can be processed.
For employment-based green card adjustments, applicants must have an application date before a specific date listed in the bulletin to be eligible for filing.
Final Action Dates for Family-Sponsored Green Cards
The Visa Bulletin details preference categories for family-sponsored immigrants, including:
- First Preference (F1): Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- Second Preference (F2): Spouses and Children, and Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents
- F2A: Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
- F2B: Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years or older) of Permanent Residents
- Third Preference (F3): Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- Fourth Preference (F4): Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
For India, the updates are:
- F1: October 22, 2015 (unchanged)
- F2A: November 22, 2021 (previously November 15, 2021)
- F2B: May 1, 2016 (unchanged)
- F3: April 1, 2010 (unchanged)
Dates for Filing: Family-Sponsored Visas
F1: March 1, 2006 (previously January 22, 2006)
F2A: September 1, 2017 (unchanged)
F2B: July 15, 2024 (previously June 15, 2024)
F3: January 1, 2017 (unchanged)
F4: July 1, 2011 (previously January 1, 2011)