The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs has released the August 2024 Visa Bulletin, which provides critical information for immigrants seeking family-sponsored and employment-based visas. This bulletin outlines the availability of immigrant numbers, the procedures for determining application dates, and the specific quotas for different visa categories.
Overview of the Visa Bulletin August 2024
The Visa Bulletin is a monthly publication that summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers for both “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing Applications.” These dates indicate when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit their required documentation to the National Visa Center.
Final Action Dates vs. Dates for Filing Applications
- Final Action Dates: These dates determine when an application can be approved and a visa number issued. Applicants whose priority date is earlier than the date listed can proceed with finalizing their application.
- Dates for Filing Applications: These dates allow applicants to submit their documents to the National Visa Center, preparing them for when their Final Action Date becomes current.
For the most accurate and updated information, applicants are advised to check the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website at www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo.
Determining Application Dates
Consular officers and USCIS report documentarily qualified applicants for numerically limited visas. The Department of State allocates visa numbers chronologically based on priority dates, as reported by July 3, 2024. If the demand exceeds the supply, the category or foreign state becomes oversubscribed, and the final action date is set for the first applicant who cannot be accommodated within the numerical limits.
Fiscal Year 2024 Visa Limits
- Family-Sponsored Preference Immigrants: The annual limit is 226,000.
- Employment-Based Preference Immigrants: The annual worldwide level is at least 140,000.
- Per-Country Limit: Each country is limited to 7% of the total annual family-sponsored and employment-based preference limits, which equals 25,620 visas. Dependent areas are capped at 2%, or 7,320 visas.
Preference Categories
Family-Sponsored Preferences
- First (F1): Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens (23,400 plus any unused numbers from the fourth preference).
- Second (F2): Spouses, Children, and Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents (114,200 plus any unused first preference numbers).
- F2A: Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents (77% of the second preference limitation, with 75% exempt from the per-country limit).
- F2B: Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years or older) of Permanent Residents (23% of the second preference limitation).
- Third (F3): Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens (23,400 plus any unused numbers from the first and second preferences).
- Fourth (F4): Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens (65,000 plus any unused numbers from the first three preferences).
Employment-Based Preferences
- First: Priority Workers (28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any unused numbers from the fourth and fifth preferences).
- Second: Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability (28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any unused numbers from the first preference).
- Third: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers (28.6% of the worldwide level, plus any unused numbers from the first and second preferences).
- Fourth: Certain Special Immigrants (7.1% of the worldwide level).
- Fifth: Employment Creation (7.1% of the worldwide level, with specific percentages reserved for rural areas, high unemployment areas, and infrastructure projects).
Final Action Dates for Family-Sponsored Preference Cases (August 2024)
| Family-Sponsored Category | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | China (Mainland Born) | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | 22OCT15 | 22OCT15 | 22OCT15 | 08MAY02 | 01MAR12 |
| F2A | 15NOV21 | 15NOV21 | 15NOV21 | 01FEB21 | 15NOV21 |
| F2B | 01MAY16 | 01MAY16 | 01MAY16 | 15JUL04 | 22OCT11 |
| F3 | 01APR10 | 01APR10 | 01APR10 | 01MAR00 | 08SEP02 |
| F4 | 01AUG07 | 01AUG07 | 22JAN06 | 08FEB01 | 01FEB04 |
Notes:
- F1: Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens.
- F2A: Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents.
- F2B: Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents.
- F3: Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens.
- F4: Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens.
Special Conditions for F2A Category:
- Exempt from per-country limit: Applicants from all countries with priority dates earlier than 01FEB21.
- Subject to per-country limit: Applicants from all countries except Mexico with priority dates from 01FEB21 to 15NOV21.
- Mexico: All F2A numbers for Mexico are exempt from the per-country limit.
This table summarizes the final action dates indicating when immigrant visa applicants can proceed with their applications based on their priority dates. If your priority date is earlier than the listed date, you may proceed with your application.
Dates for Filing Family-Sponsored Visa Applications (August 2024)
| Family-Sponsored Category | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | China (Mainland Born) | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 01APR05 | 22APR15 |
| F2A | 15JUN24 | 15JUN24 | 15JUN24 | 15JUN24 | 15JUN24 |
| F2B | 01JAN17 | 01JAN17 | 01JAN17 | 01MAY05 | 01OCT13 |
| F3 | 01JAN11 | 01JAN11 | 01JAN11 | 15JUN01 | 08NOV03 |
| F4 | 01MAR08 | 01MAR08 | 15JUN06 | 30APR01 | 01APR06 |
Notes:
- F1: Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens.
- F2A: Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents.
- F2B: Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents.
- F3: Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens.
- F4: Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens.
Applicants for immigrant visas with priority dates earlier than the listed dates may assemble and submit required documents to the National Visa Center upon receiving notification. For the most up-to-date information, applicants should visit www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo.
Employment-Based Preferences
Section 203(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) prescribes the following preference classes for the allotment of employment-based immigrant visas:
| Employment-Based Preference Category | Description | Percentage of Worldwide Level |
|---|---|---|
| First: Priority Workers | 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any unused numbers from the fourth and fifth preferences. | 28.6% |
| Second: Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability | 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any unused numbers from the first preference. | 28.6% |
| Third: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers | 28.6% of the worldwide level, plus any unused numbers from the first and second preferences, with not more than 10,000 allotted to “*Other Workers”. | 28.6% |
| Fourth: Certain Special Immigrants | 7.1% of the worldwide level. | 7.1% |
| Fifth: Employment Creation | 7.1% of the worldwide level, with 32% reserved for qualified immigrants who invest in rural areas (20%), high unemployment areas (10%), and infrastructure projects (2%). The remaining 68% are unreserved and allotted for all other qualified immigrants. | 7.1% |
These percentages determine the number of visas available annually for each category. The specific allocations help manage the demand for employment-based visas, ensuring that a diverse range of immigrants can contribute to the U.S. economy and society.
By understanding these tables and categories, applicants can better navigate the process of securing an immigrant visa, ensuring they meet the necessary deadlines and requirements. For further details and updates, it’s crucial to refer to official sources such as the USCIS website.
Final Action Dates for Employment-Based Preference Cases (August 2024)
| Employment-Based Category | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | China (Mainland Born) | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Current (C) | 01NOV22 | 01FEB22 | Current (C) | Current (C) |
| 2nd | 15MAR23 | 01MAR20 | 15JUL12 | 15MAR23 | 15MAR23 |
| 3rd | 01DEC21 | 01SEP20 | 22OCT12 | 01DEC21 | 01DEC21 |
| Other Workers | 01JAN21 | 01JAN17 | 22OCT12 | 01JAN21 | 01MAY20 |
| 4th | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 |
| 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5) | Current (C) | 15DEC15 | 01DEC20 | Current (C) | Current (C) |
| 5th Set Aside: Rural (20%) | Current (C) | Current (C) | Current (C) | Current (C) | Current (C) |
| 5th Set Aside: High Unemployment (10%) | Current (C) | Current (C) | Current (C) | Current (C) | Current (C) |
| 5th Set Aside: Infrastructure (2%) | Current (C) | Current (C) | Current (C) | Current (C) | Current (C) |
Notes:
- 1st: Priority Workers.
- 2nd: Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability.
- 3rd: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers.
- Other Workers: Workers in positions that do not require at least two years of training or experience.
- 4th: Certain Special Immigrants.
- Certain Religious Workers: Non-minister special immigrant religious workers.
- 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5): Employment Creation (investors).
- 5th Set Asides: Specific percentages reserved for rural areas (20%), high unemployment areas (10%), and infrastructure projects (2%).
Special Conditions for Employment Third Preference Other Workers Category:
- NACARA Provisions: Section 203(e) of the Nicaraguan and Central American Relief Act (NACARA) mandates that once the Employment Third Preference Other Worker (EW) cut-off date reaches the priority date of the latest EW petition approved before November 19, 1997, the 10,000 EW numbers available for the fiscal year are reduced by up to 5,000 annually to offset adjustments under the NACARA program. This reduction began in Fiscal Year 2002 and is limited to approximately 150 for Fiscal Year 2024.
This table helps applicants understand the specific cut-off dates for each employment-based category, indicating whether they can proceed with their applications based on their priority dates. For the most accurate and updated information, applicants should regularly check the USCIS website and the monthly Visa Bulletin.
Dates for Filing of Employment-Based Visa Applications (August 2024)
| Employment-Based Category | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | China (Mainland Born) | India | Mexico | Philippines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Current (C) | 01JAN23 | 08FEB22 | Current (C) | Current (C) |
| 2nd | 22MAR23 | 01JUN20 | 22JUL12 | 22MAR23 | 22MAR23 |
| 3rd | 01FEB23 | 01JUL21 | 01NOV12 | 01FEB23 | 01JAN23 |
| Other Workers | 08JAN21 | 01JUN17 | 01NOV12 | 08JAN21 | 15MAY20 |
| 4th | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 |
| 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5) | Current (C) | 01JAN17 | 01APR22 | Current (C) | Current (C) |
| 5th Set Aside: Rural (20%) | Current (C) | Current (C) | Current (C) | Current (C) | Current (C) |
| 5th Set Aside: High Unemployment (10%) | Current (C) | Current (C) | Current (C) | Current (C) | Current (C) |
| 5th Set Aside: Infrastructure (2%) | Current (C) | Current (C) | Current (C) | Current (C) | Current (C) |
Notes:
- 1st: Priority Workers.
- 2nd: Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability.
- 3rd: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers.
- Other Workers: Workers in positions that do not require at least two years of training or experience.
- 4th: Certain Special Immigrants.
- Certain Religious Workers: Non-minister special immigrant religious workers.
- 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5): Employment Creation (investors).
- 5th Set Asides: Specific percentages reserved for rural areas (20%), high unemployment areas (10%), and infrastructure projects (2%).
These dates indicate the earliest priority dates by which applicants can file their visa applications. Applicants whose priority date is earlier than the listed date may submit their required documents to the National Visa Center.
Diversity Immigrant (DV) Category for August 2024
DV Allocation Cut-Off Numbers for August 2024
| Region | All DV Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed Separately | Country-Specific Cut-Off Numbers |
|---|---|---|
| AFRICA | 75,000 | Algeria: 74,900 Egypt: 50,000 Morocco: 70,000 |
| ASIA | 15,000 | Iran: 14,500 Nepal: 12,000 |
| EUROPE | 30,000 | Russia: 29,500 Uzbekistan: 12,500 |
| NORTH AMERICA (BAHAMAS) | 20 | N/A |
| OCEANIA | 2,000 | N/A |
| SOUTH AMERICA and the CARIBBEAN | 3,150 | N/A |
Notes:
- The NACARA program reduces the annual DV limit by 5,000 visas, resulting in approximately 54,850 visas for FY 2024.
- DVs are divided among six geographic regions.
- No country can receive more than 7% of the available diversity visas in any one year.
- Entitlement to DV status ends on September 30, 2024, for all DV-2024 applicants.
- Spouses and children accompanying or following to join DV-2024 principals are only entitled to derivative DV status until September 30, 2024.
- DV availability through the end of FY-2024 cannot be guaranteed as numbers could be exhausted prior to September 30.
Diversity Immigrant (DV) Category Rank Cut-Offs for September 2024
DV Allocation Cut-Off Numbers for September 2024
| Region | All DV Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed Separately | Country-Specific Cut-Off Numbers |
|---|---|---|
| AFRICA | Current | Algeria: 108,500 Egypt: 57,000 Morocco: 70,000 |
| ASIA | 27,500 | Iran: 22,000 Nepal: 13,000 |
| EUROPE | 50,000 | Russia: 49,500 Uzbekistan: 17,000 |
| NORTH AMERICA (BAHAMAS) | Current | N/A |
| OCEANIA | 2,700 | N/A |
| SOUTH AMERICA and the CARIBBEAN | 5,000 | N/A |
Notes:
- The cut-off numbers indicate the rank below which visas are available.
- “Current” means that visas are available to all qualified applicants in that region or country.
These tables provide a clear overview of the availability of Diversity Immigrant visas for August and September 2024, helping applicants understand their chances of obtaining a visa based on their regional and country-specific rankings.
Final Action Dates for August 2024
Family-Sponsored Preferences
- F1: 22OCT15 (All chargeability areas except those listed), 08MAY02 (Mexico), 01MAR12 (Philippines)
- F2A: 15NOV21 (All chargeability areas except those listed), 01FEB21 (Mexico)
- F2B: 01MAY16 (All chargeability areas except those listed), 15JUL04 (Mexico), 22OCT11 (Philippines)
- F3: 01APR10 (All chargeability areas except those listed), 01MAR00 (Mexico), 08SEP02 (Philippines)
- F4: 01AUG07 (All chargeability areas except those listed), 22JAN06 (India), 08FEB01 (Mexico), 01FEB04 (Philippines)
Employment-Based Preferences
- 1st: Current for all chargeability areas except those listed, 01NOV22 (China-mainland born), 01FEB22 (India)
- 2nd: 15MAR23 (All chargeability areas except those listed), 01MAR20 (China-mainland born), 15JUL12 (India)
- 3rd: 01DEC21 (All chargeability areas except those listed), 01SEP20 (China-mainland born), 22OCT12 (India)
- Other Workers: 01JAN21 (All chargeability areas except those listed), 01JAN17 (China-mainland born), 22OCT12 (India)
- 4th: 01JAN21 for all chargeability areas
- Certain Religious Workers: 01JAN21 for all chargeability areas
- 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, and R5): Current for all chargeability areas except China-mainland born (15DEC15) and India (01DEC20)
Dates for Filing Visa Applications
These dates allow applicants to submit required documents to the National Visa Center if their priority date is earlier than the date listed.
Family-Sponsored Preferences
- F1: 01SEP17 (All chargeability areas except those listed), 01APR05 (Mexico), 22APR15 (Philippines)
- F2A: 15JUN24 for all chargeability areas
- F2B: 01JAN17 (All chargeability areas except those listed), 01MAY05 (Mexico), 01OCT13 (Philippines)
- F3: 01JAN11 (All chargeability areas except those listed), 15JUN01 (Mexico), 08NOV03 (Philippines)
- F4: 01MAR08 (All chargeability areas except those listed), 15JUN06 (India), 30APR01 (Mexico), 01APR06 (Philippines)
Employment-Based Preferences
- 1st: Current for all chargeability areas except those listed, 01JAN23 (China-mainland born), 08FEB22 (India)
- 2nd: 22MAR23 (All chargeability areas except those listed), 01JUN20 (China-mainland born), 22JUL12 (India)
- 3rd: 01FEB23 (All chargeability areas except those listed), 01JUL21 (China-mainland born), 01NOV12 (India)
- Other Workers: 08JAN21 (All chargeability areas except those listed), 01JUN17 (China-mainland born), 01NOV12 (India)
- 4th: 01FEB21 for all chargeability areas
- Certain Religious Workers: 01FEB21 for all chargeability areas
- 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, and R5): Current for all chargeability areas except China-mainland born (01JAN17) and India (01APR22)
Diversity Immigrant (DV) Category for August 2024
The DV category provides up to 55,000 immigrant visas each fiscal year for persons from countries with low admissions in the previous five years. For August 2024, immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2024 applicants from all regions.
Regional Availability
- Africa: 75,000 (except Algeria 74,900, Egypt 50,000, Morocco 70,000)
- Asia: 15,000 (except Iran 14,500, Nepal 12,000)
- Europe: 30,000 (except Russia 29,500, Uzbekistan 12,500)
- North America (Bahamas): 20
- Oceania: 2,000
- South America and the Caribbean: 3,150
Key Takeaways for Applicants
- Check Your Priority Date: Ensure your priority date is earlier than the final action date or filing date listed for your category.
- Stay Informed: Regularly visit the USCIS website for updates on the visa bulletin and potential changes in application procedures.
- Prepare Documentation: If your priority date is current, assemble and submit the required documents promptly to avoid delays.
- Understand Visa Limits: Be aware of the annual and per-country limits to set realistic expectations about visa availability.
By understanding the details and requirements outlined in the August 2024 Visa Bulletin, applicants can better navigate the complex process of securing an immigrant visa. Stay proactive and informed to enhance your chances of a successful application.
