The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs releases a monthly Visa Bulletin that provides critical information regarding the availability of immigrant visas for both family-sponsored and employment-based immigration. The October 2024 Visa Bulletin is particularly important as it marks the start of the new fiscal year and provides updated dates for when visa applicants should submit their applications. Here, we’ll break down the key sections of the bulletin and explain what they mean for individuals seeking U.S. permanent residency.
1. What is the Visa Bulletin?
The Visa Bulletin serves as a guide for applicants who are waiting to apply for U.S. green cards. It indicates when immigrant visa applicants can move forward in the process, based on their “priority date” — the date their petition for an immigrant visa was filed. Applicants are divided into different preference categories depending on their family relationship to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, or their employment status. The bulletin contains two critical sections:
- Final Action Dates: These dates indicate when the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or consulates can issue a visa. Applicants with a priority date earlier than the listed date may have their applications approved and visas issued.
- Dates for Filing Applications: These dates determine when applicants can begin submitting their documents to the National Visa Center, preparing them for further processing.
2. Determining Priority Dates and Visa Availability
The Visa Bulletin outlines how immigrant visas are distributed according to numerical limits set by U.S. law. For October 2024, the bulletin reports that consular officers and USCIS follow a process of assigning visas based on the demand for each category, using applicants’ priority dates to ensure visas are allocated in the proper order.
However, certain countries, including China-mainland born, India, Mexico, and the Philippines, are oversubscribed, meaning the demand for immigrant visas exceeds the number available. As a result, applicants from these countries may face longer waiting times.
3. Family-Sponsored Visa Categories
Family-sponsored visas are divided into four main preference categories, which allocate visas based on the relationship between the immigrant and their U.S. citizen or permanent resident relative. The available categories are:
- F1: Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.
- F2A: Spouses and children of permanent residents.
- F2B: Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years or older) of permanent residents.
- F3: Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.
- F4: Brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens.
The total limit for family-sponsored immigrants for fiscal year 2025 is 226,000. The Visa Bulletin provides specific “Final Action Dates” for each category, indicating when visas will be issued. For example:
- For F1 (Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens), the Final Action Date for most countries is October 22, 2015, while for Mexico, the date is January 1, 2003, and for the Philippines, it’s March 1, 2012.
- For F2A (Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents), the date is November 22, 2021, for all countries except Mexico, which has a slightly earlier cutoff of March 8, 2021.
4. Employment-Based Visa Categories
Employment-based visas are allocated according to five preference categories. The total number of employment-based visas available for fiscal year 2025 is at least 140,000. The categories include:
- EB-1: Priority Workers (those with extraordinary ability, outstanding professors, and multinational executives).
- EB-2: Members of the professions holding advanced degrees or individuals of exceptional ability.
- EB-3: Skilled workers, professionals, and other workers.
- EB-4: Special immigrants, including certain religious workers.
- EB-5: Investors in the U.S. economy, particularly those who invest in rural or high-unemployment areas.
For October 2024, Final Action Dates vary depending on the applicant’s country of chargeability:
- For EB-1, most countries are “current” (C), meaning visas are available immediately, except for China and India, where the Final Action Dates are November 8, 2022, and February 1, 2022, respectively.
- In EB-2, most countries also have a current date, while India remains backlogged with a cutoff of July 15, 2012.
- For EB-3 (Skilled Workers), the Final Action Dates are November 15, 2022, for most countries, but India is significantly delayed with a date of November 1, 2012.
The Third Preference Other Workers category also sees significant delays, particularly for India, with a date of November 1, 2012.
5. Diversity Immigrant Visa Program
The Diversity Visa (DV) Program allows up to 55,000 immigrant visas to be issued each year to people from countries with low immigration rates to the U.S. For fiscal year 2025, this number is reduced to approximately 51,350 due to allocations for other immigration programs.
For October 2024, visa numbers are available for DV-2025 applicants from various regions, with cutoff numbers provided for countries with higher demand. For example:
- In Africa, applicants from countries like Algeria, Egypt, and Morocco will see cutoff numbers of 6,500, 8,250, and 8,250, respectively.
- In Asia, Iran and Nepal will have cutoff numbers of 2,950 each.
6. Changes to Religious Workers and Special Immigrant Visas
The bulletin also mentions the expiration of the Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR) Category on September 29, 2024. This means that no further SR visas will be issued unless legislative action is taken to extend the category.
Understanding the Family-Sponsored Visa Categories and Dates for October 2024
The U.S. Department of State’s Visa Bulletin for October 2024 provides key information on the availability of family-sponsored visas. Family-sponsored immigrant visas are categorized into different “preference” classes, which are based on the applicant’s relationship to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. This guide will help break down the important details, including how many visas are available in each category, the final action dates, and the dates for filing visa applications.
1. Family-Sponsored Preferences Overview
Family-sponsored immigrant visas are divided into four main preference categories. These categories prioritize visa issuance based on the family relationship between the U.S. sponsor and the applicant.
First Preference (F1):
Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.
- Available visas: 23,400, plus any numbers not used by the fourth preference.
Second Preference (F2):
Spouses, children, and unmarried sons and daughters of permanent residents.
- Available visas: 114,200, plus any unused visas from the worldwide family preference level (which exceeds 226,000), plus any unused visas from the F1 category.
- F2A: Spouses and children of permanent residents.
- 77% of the overall 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 overall second preference limitation.
Third Preference (F3):
Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.
- Available visas: 23,400, plus any unused visas from the first and second preferences.
Fourth Preference (F4):
Brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens.
- Available visas: 65,000, plus any unused visas from the first three preferences.
2. Final Action Dates for Family-Sponsored Preference Cases
The “Final Action Dates” chart tells applicants when their immigrant visa can be issued. This depends on their priority date (the date their petition was filed). If their priority date is earlier than the final action date listed for their category, they may be eligible for a visa. The table below shows the final action dates for each family-sponsored preference category.
| Family-Sponsored | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | CHINA – Mainland Born | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | 22OCT15 | 22OCT15 | 22OCT15 | 01JAN03 | 01MAR12 |
| F2A | 22NOV21 | 22NOV21 | 22NOV21 | 08MAR21 | 22NOV21 |
| F2B | 01MAY16 | 01MAY16 | 01MAY16 | 15JAN05 | 22OCT11 |
| F3 | 01APR10 | 01APR10 | 01APR10 | 22AUG00 | 08SEP02 |
| F4 | 01AUG07 | 01AUG07 | 01MAR06 | 22FEB01 | 01FEB04 |
Key Highlights for Final Action Dates:
- F2A (Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents): For applicants from all countries with priority dates earlier than March 8, 2021, visas are exempt from per-country limits. For countries other than Mexico, applicants with priority dates between March 8, 2021, and November 22, 2021, are subject to per-country limits.
- F1 (Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens): The cutoff date is October 22, 2015, for most countries, but Mexico has a much earlier date of January 1, 2003.
3. Dates for Filing Family-Sponsored Visa Applications
The “Dates for Filing” chart shows when applicants can start submitting their documents to the National Visa Center for processing. If the applicant’s priority date is earlier than the listed filing date, they can begin the next steps in their application.
| Family-Sponsored | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | CHINA – Mainland Born | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 01OCT05 | 22APR15 |
| F2A | 15JUL24 | 15JUL24 | 15JUL24 | 15JUL24 | 15JUL24 |
| F2B | 01JAN17 | 01JAN17 | 01JAN17 | 01AUG05 | 01OCT13 |
| F3 | 01JUL11 | 01JUL11 | 01JUL11 | 15JUN01 | 08MAY04 |
| F4 | 01MAR08 | 01MAR08 | 15JUN06 | 30APR01 | 01AUG06 |
Key Highlights for Filing Dates:
- F2A (Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents): The filing date for this category is July 15, 2024, for all countries, meaning applicants can begin the process immediately if their priority date is earlier than that.
- F1 (Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens): The filing date is September 1, 2017, for most countries, except Mexico (October 1, 2005) and Philippines (April 22, 2015).
The October 2024 Visa Bulletin offers crucial information for those waiting on family-sponsored immigration visas. Each preference category has specific final action and filing dates that applicants must be aware of to move forward with their applications. Those who qualify based on their priority date should begin the necessary steps to prepare and submit their required documentation. Additionally, understanding the differences between the final action and filing dates is essential for ensuring timely processing and approval of immigrant visas.
Detailed Overview of Employment-Based Visa Preferences for October 2024
The U.S. Department of State’s Visa Bulletin for October 2024 provides vital information on the availability of employment-based immigrant visas. These visas are divided into five preference categories, each assigned a percentage of the overall visa numbers available for the fiscal year. For October 2024, the bulletin outlines important “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing” that determine when applicants can either have their visas issued or submit their application documents.
1. Employment-Based Preferences Overview
The employment-based visa system is divided into five preference categories, each with specific criteria for eligibility:
First Preference (EB-1): Priority Workers.
- 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any unused numbers from the fourth and fifth preferences.
This category includes individuals with extraordinary abilities, outstanding professors and researchers, and multinational executives and managers.
Second Preference (EB-2): 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 Preference (EB-3): Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers.
- 28.6% of the worldwide level, plus any unused numbers from the first and second preferences.
- Other Workers within this category are limited to no more than 10,000 visas.
Fourth Preference (EB-4): Certain Special Immigrants.
- 7.1% of the worldwide employment-based level.
This category includes religious workers, certain broadcasters, and international organization employees.
Fifth Preference (EB-5): Employment Creation.
- 7.1% of the worldwide level, with 32% reserved for specific types of investments:
- 20% reserved for qualified immigrants who invest in a rural area.
- 10% reserved for those investing in high unemployment areas.
- 2% reserved for infrastructure projects.
- The remaining 68% is unreserved and available for all other qualified investors.
2. Final Action Dates for Employment-Based Preference Cases
The Final Action Dates chart provides the cutoff dates that determine when immigrant visas can be issued. If an applicant’s priority date is earlier than the date listed, they may receive a visa. Here are the final action dates for each category:
| Employment-Based | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | CHINA – Mainland Born | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | C | 08NOV22 | 01FEB22 | C | C |
| EB-2 | 15MAR23 | 22MAR20 | 15JUL12 | 15MAR23 | 15MAR23 |
| EB-3 | 15NOV22 | 01APR20 | 01NOV12 | 15NOV22 | 15NOV22 |
| Other Workers | 01DEC20 | 01JAN17 | 01NOV12 | 01DEC20 | 01DEC20 |
| EB-4 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 |
| Certain Religious Workers | U | U | U | U | U |
| EB-5 Unreserved | C | 15JUL16 | 01JAN22 | C | C |
| EB-5 Set Aside (Rural) | C | C | C | C | C |
| EB-5 Set Aside (High Unemployment) | C | C | C | C | C |
| EB-5 Set Aside (Infrastructure) | C | C | C | C | C |
Key Highlights for Final Action Dates:
- EB-1 (Priority Workers): Visas are “Current” (C) for most applicants, meaning they are immediately available, except for China (November 8, 2022) and India (February 1, 2022).
- EB-2 (Advanced Degree Holders/Exceptional Ability): Visas are available for applicants from most countries with a cutoff of March 15, 2023, while China has a cutoff of March 22, 2020, and India faces a significant backlog, with a cutoff of July 15, 2012.
- EB-3 (Skilled Workers/Professionals): For most countries, the date is November 15, 2022, while India faces a long wait with a cutoff of November 1, 2012.
3. Dates for Filing Employment-Based Visa Applications
The Dates for Filing chart allows applicants to submit required documents to the National Visa Center if their priority date is earlier than the listed date. Here are the filing dates for employment-based visa applications:
| Employment-Based | All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed | CHINA – Mainland Born | INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EB-1 | C | 01JAN23 | 15APR22 | C | C |
| EB-2 | 01AUG23 | 01OCT20 | 01JAN13 | 01AUG23 | 01AUG23 |
| EB-3 | 01MAR23 | 15NOV20 | 08JUN13 | 01MAR23 | 01MAR23 |
| Other Workers | 22MAY21 | 01JAN18 | 01JUN13 | 22MAY21 | 22MAY21 |
| EB-4 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 | 01FEB21 |
| EB-5 Unreserved | C | 01OCT16 | 01APR22 | C | C |
| EB-5 Set Aside (Rural) | C | C | C | C | C |
| EB-5 Set Aside (High Unemployment) | C | C | C | C | C |
| EB-5 Set Aside (Infrastructure) | C | C | C | C | C |
Key Highlights for Filing Dates:
- EB-1: The filing date is January 1, 2023, for China, while India has a cutoff date of April 15, 2022. Most other countries remain “Current” (C).
- EB-2: Most countries have a filing date of August 1, 2023, while China faces a cutoff of October 1, 2020, and India has a cutoff of January 1, 2013.
- EB-5 (Employment Creation): All subcategories within the EB-5 category, including rural, high unemployment, and infrastructure, remain “Current” (C) for most countries.
The October 2024 Visa Bulletin provides crucial insights into the status of employment-based immigrant visas. The “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing” charts indicate when applicants from various countries can expect to move forward in the visa process, depending on their priority dates. Understanding these dates is vital for applicants to ensure they submit their documents at the right time and proceed with their visa applications without unnecessary delays.
Diversity Immigrant (DV) Category for October 2024
The Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Program, often referred to as the “Green Card Lottery,” is designed to provide an opportunity for individuals from countries with low immigration rates to the U.S. to apply for a U.S. visa. Each fiscal year, the U.S. government allocates up to 55,000 immigrant visas under this program. The October 2024 Visa Bulletin provides critical information about the availability of these visas for DV-2025 applicants.
1. Diversity Visa (DV) Program Overview
The DV Program, authorized under Section 203(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), offers a pathway to U.S. permanent residency for people from countries with historically low immigration rates to the U.S. However, the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act (NACARA) stipulates that up to 5,000 of the 55,000 visas must be allocated to NACARA beneficiaries each year, reducing the number of available DV visas to approximately 54,850 for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025.
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY 2024 further affects the DV Program by amending NACARA provisions. This amendment reduces the total number of DV visas available for FY 2025 to 51,350. Additionally, no single country can receive more than 7% of the available diversity visas in any given year.
2. DV Visa Allocation for October 2024
The October 2024 Visa Bulletin provides the availability of immigrant numbers for DV-2025 applicants. The DV visas are distributed among six geographic regions. Applicants with lottery rank numbers below the cut-off number listed for their region are eligible to receive a visa. The table below outlines the cut-off numbers for each region and certain countries with high demand:
| Region | All DV Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed Separately |
|---|---|
| Africa | 15,000 |
| – Algeria | 6,500 |
| – Egypt | 8,250 |
| – Morocco | 8,250 |
| Asia | 3,000 |
| – Iran | 2,950 |
| – Nepal | 2,950 |
| Europe | 6,000 |
| – Russia | 5,950 |
| – Uzbekistan | 4,900 |
| North America (Bahamas) | 2 |
| Oceania | 500 |
| South America and the Caribbean | 825 |
Key Highlights for DV Visa Allocation:
- Africa: Up to 15,000 visas are available, but certain countries have lower cut-off numbers, such as Algeria (6,500), Egypt (8,250), and Morocco (8,250) due to higher demand.
- Asia: The region has 3,000 available visas, with Iran and Nepal receiving 2,950 each.
- Europe: There are 6,000 available visas, but countries like Russia (5,950) and Uzbekistan (4,900) have lower cut-offs.
- North America (Bahamas) has only 2 available visas.
- Oceania: There are 500 visas allocated for this region.
- South America and the Caribbean: This region has 825 available visas.
3. Visa Availability and Timeline for DV-2025 Applicants
It’s important to note that applicants selected for the DV-2025 lottery must use their entitlement within the fiscal year that runs from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025. This means:
- The DV-2025 program ends on September 30, 2025. After this date, no more DV visas will be issued.
- Applicants should complete their visa process before the deadline. Spouses and children of principal applicants are also required to complete their visa process by September 30, 2025.
- Availability of DV visas cannot be guaranteed through the very end of FY 2025, as the numbers may be exhausted before the deadline.
The DV Program offers a unique opportunity for individuals from countries with low immigration rates to apply for U.S. permanent residency. The October 2024 Visa Bulletin outlines the cut-off numbers for DV-2025 applicants, providing a clear indication of when applicants from different regions and countries can expect to receive their visas. It’s essential for applicants to ensure that they act promptly, as visa availability can change and be exhausted before the fiscal year ends.
Diversity Immigrant (DV) Category Rank Cut-Offs for November 2024
The Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Program is an annual lottery that offers up to 55,000 visas to individuals from countries with low rates of immigration to the U.S. For November 2024, the U.S. Department of State’s Visa Bulletin outlines the cut-off numbers for DV-2025 applicants. Only applicants with a DV regional lottery rank number below the specified cut-off are eligible to receive a visa.
The table below shows the rank cut-off numbers for November 2024 for each geographic region and specific countries with high demand.
| Region | All DV Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed Separately |
|---|---|
| Africa | 15,000 |
| – Algeria | 6,500 |
| – Egypt | 8,250 |
| – Morocco | 8,250 |
| Asia | 3,000 |
| – Iran | 2,950 |
| – Nepal | 2,950 |
| Europe | 6,000 |
| – Russia | 5,950 |
| – Uzbekistan | 4,900 |
| North America (Bahamas) | 2 |
| Oceania | 500 |
| South America and the Caribbean | 825 |
Key Highlights for November 2024 Cut-Offs:
- Africa: The cut-off for this region is 15,000, with specific cut-offs for countries like Algeria (6,500), Egypt (8,250), and Morocco (8,250).
- Asia: The region’s cut-off is 3,000, but Iran and Nepal are set at 2,950 each.
- Europe: The general cut-off is 6,000, but Russia has a cut-off of 5,950, and Uzbekistan has a cut-off of 4,900.
- North America (Bahamas): The cut-off for this region is 2.
- Oceania: The cut-off is 500.
- South America and the Caribbean: The cut-off is 825.
Expiration of the Employment Fourth Preference Religious Workers (SR) Category
The Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR) Category allows non-minister religious workers to obtain U.S. permanent residency. However, this category is scheduled to expire unless extended by legislative action.
- H.R. 2882, signed into law on March 23, 2024, extended the SR category until September 30, 2024. After this date:
- No SR visas can be issued overseas.
- No final actions can be taken on adjustment of status cases after midnight on September 29, 2024.
- Any visas issued before September 29, 2024, will only be valid until that date.
- Individuals seeking admission under this category must enter the U.S. by midnight on September 29, 2024.
Since the SR category is listed as “Unavailable” for October 2024, no visas will be issued unless legislative action extends the program. If extended, it will be subject to the same final action dates as other Employment Fourth Preference categories based on the applicant’s country of chargeability.
U.S. Government Employee Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs)
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024, signed into law on December 22, 2023, introduced changes that affect U.S. government employees abroad who are applying for Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) or adjustments of status.
- These changes apply to current and former U.S. government employees overseas, as outlined in Section 101(a)(27)(D) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
- However, these changes do not affect Iraqis and Afghans applying for SQ and SI SIVs.
- Applicants affected by this law should contact the consular section where they filed their Form DS-1884 for further information on how the law impacts their case.
The November 2024 Visa Bulletin provides important updates for applicants under the Diversity Visa Program, the Employment Fourth Preference Religious Workers category, and U.S. government employee Special Immigrant Visas. Individuals applying for the DV-2025 program should check their regional rank cut-off to determine if they are eligible to proceed with their application. Similarly, those in the SR category should act before the September 30, 2024, deadline unless legislative action extends the program. Lastly, U.S. government employees seeking SIVs should stay informed about changes introduced by the NDAA for FY 2024 and consult with the relevant consular offices.
Additionally, the bulletin references changes to Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for certain U.S. government employees abroad, particularly those affected by the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2024.
Conclusion
The U.S. Department of State’s Visa Bulletin for October 2024 provides critical information for individuals seeking family-sponsored or employment-based immigrant visas. Understanding the categories, priority dates, and country-specific restrictions is essential for anyone navigating the U.S. immigration system. By closely following the dates outlined in this bulletin, applicants can better plan when to file their paperwork and what to expect as they await their turn in the immigration process.
For more detailed information, always check the USCIS Visa Bulletin Information Page to see if additional instructions or updates apply for filing your application.
