Understanding the September 2024 Visa Bulletin: A Guide to U.S. Immigration Policies

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs has released the September 2024 Visa Bulletin, which provides important information about the availability of immigrant visas for the month. This bulletin is essential for individuals seeking to immigrate to the United States, as it outlines the “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing Applications” for family-sponsored and employment-based preference categories.

In this article, we will break down the key points from the September 2024 Visa Bulletin, explaining them in a clear and simple manner to help you understand what these dates mean and how they might impact your immigration process.

1. Understanding the Visa Bulletin

What is the Visa Bulletin?

The Visa Bulletin is a monthly publication by the U.S. Department of State that shows the availability of immigrant visa numbers. For those looking to immigrate to the U.S. through family sponsorship or employment, this bulletin indicates when you can proceed with your visa application process.

Key Sections of the Bulletin

• Final Action Dates: These dates indicate when an immigrant visa applicant’s priority date becomes current, meaning that they can receive their visa or adjust their status.
• Dates for Filing Applications: These dates tell applicants when they can submit their required documents to the National Visa Center, even if their priority date is not yet current for final action.

2. Statutory Numbers for Preference Immigrant Visas

The bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during September 2024 for different visa categories. Here’s how it works:

Family-Sponsored Preferences

The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) sets specific limits on family-sponsored immigrant visas. For fiscal year 2024, the total number is capped at 226,000. These visas are further divided into preference categories:

• F1 (First Preference): Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.
• F2 (Second Preference): Spouses, children, and unmarried sons and daughters of permanent residents.
• F2A: Spouses and children.
• F2B: Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years of age or older).
• F3 (Third Preference): Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.
• F4 (Fourth Preference): Brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens.

Employment-Based Preferences

For employment-based immigrant visas, the fiscal year 2024 limit is 160,791. These are also divided into several categories:

• EB-1 (First Preference): Priority workers with extraordinary abilities, outstanding professors, and researchers.
• EB-2 (Second Preference): Members of the professions holding advanced degrees or persons with exceptional abilities.
• EB-3 (Third Preference): Skilled workers, professionals, and other workers.
• EB-4 (Fourth Preference): Certain special immigrants, including religious workers.
• EB-5 (Fifth Preference): Immigrant investors in new commercial enterprises that create jobs for U.S. workers.

3. Final Action Dates for September 2024

Family-Sponsored Preference Cases

The bulletin provides the final action dates for each category and country of chargeability (the country to which your visa application is attributed based on where you were born). These dates indicate when visas can be issued.

For instance:

• F1: The final action date for most countries is October 22, 2015, meaning that only those with a priority date before this can receive a visa.
• F2A: For all countries, except Mexico, the final action date is November 15, 2021.

Employment-Based Preference Cases

In the employment-based categories, final action dates vary significantly depending on the country of chargeability and the specific employment category:

• EB-1: This category is current (C) for most countries, meaning visas are available for all eligible applicants.
• EB-2: The final action date for India, one of the most backlogged countries, is July 15, 2012.

4. Dates for Filing Visa Applications

These dates indicate when applicants should submit their documents to the National Visa Center. If your priority date is earlier than the date listed in the bulletin, you can submit your visa application.

Family-Sponsored Categories

• F1: The filing date for all countries is September 1, 2017, except for Mexico (April 1, 2005).
• F2A: This category is current for all countries, meaning applicants can file their documents regardless of their priority date.

Employment-Based Categories

• EB-1: The filing date is January 1, 2023, for China and India, while it is current for all other countries.
• EB-3: For India, the filing date is November 1, 2012, whereas it is February 1, 2023, for most other countries.

5. Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Program

The Diversity Visa (DV) program, also known as the visa lottery, makes 55,000 immigrant visas available each year to individuals from countries with low immigration rates to the U.S. For September 2024, visa numbers are available for qualified DV-2024 applicants from all regions and eligible countries. The bulletin also provides details on the upcoming DV-2025 program, emphasizing the importance of acting quickly if selected.

6. Special Notes for September 2024

Retrogression in EB-3 and Other Workers Categories

Due to high demand, the final action dates for the EB-3 category and “Other Workers” category have retrogressed, or moved backward. This means that fewer visas will be issued for these categories in September 2024. However, the dates are expected to advance again in October 2024.

Impact of the NACARA and NDAA on DV Program

The Nicaraguan and Central American Relief Act (NACARA) and the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024 have reduced the number of diversity visas available, impacting the total number of visas issued under the DV-2025 program.

Detailed Information on Family-Sponsored Preference Final Action Dates

The “Final Action Dates” chart is a crucial part of the Visa Bulletin that indicates when immigrant visas can be issued for family-sponsored preference categories. For September 2024, the chart lists specific dates for each category, reflecting the oversubscription status of each class. If an applicant’s priority date is earlier than the date listed, they are eligible to receive a visa. If their date is after, they must wait until the date advances in future bulletins.

Key Terms:

• Final Action Date: The cutoff date for visa issuance in each category. Applicants with a priority date before this date can proceed with their visa process.
• C (Current): Indicates that visas are available for all applicants in that category, regardless of their priority date.
• U (Unauthorized): Indicates that no visas are authorized for issuance in that category for the month.

Family-Sponsored Preference Categories:

1. F1 (First Preference): Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.
2. F2A (Second Preference A): Spouses and children of permanent residents.
3. F2B (Second Preference B): Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years of age or older) of permanent residents.
4. F3 (Third Preference): Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.
5. F4 (Fourth Preference): Brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens.

Summary of Final Action Dates for September 2024:

• The final action dates indicate that all family-sponsored categories except F2A are oversubscribed, meaning that not all applicants who have applied can receive a visa immediately.
• The F2A category has a special condition where the priority date for applicants from Mexico is exempt from the per-country limit, meaning these applicants can receive a visa as long as their priority date is before February 1, 2021.

Specific Observations:

• F1 Category: For most countries, the final action date is October 22, 2015. However, for Mexico, it’s much earlier, at May 8, 2002, and for the Philippines, it’s March 1, 2012.
• F2A Category: This category is generally current, with dates showing visa availability for applicants from all chargeability areas with priority dates before November 15, 2021. Mexican applicants in this category are subject to specific conditions based on the per-country limit exemption.
• F2B Category: The dates are similar across most regions, with May 1, 2016, being the cutoff for most countries, but for Mexico, it goes back to July 15, 2004.
• F3 Category: The final action date for most countries is April 1, 2010, but for Mexico, it’s as far back as March 1, 2000.
• F4 Category: The cutoff dates vary significantly, with August 1, 2007, for most countries, January 22, 2006, for India, and February 8, 2001, for Mexico.

Final Action Dates for Family-Sponsored Preference Cases (September 2024)

Additional Notes:

• For the F2A category, numbers exempt from the per-country limit are authorized for issuance to applicants from all countries with priority dates earlier than February 1, 2021. Numbers subject to the per-country limit are authorized for issuance to applicants chargeable to all countries except Mexico, with priority dates between February 1, 2021, and November 15, 2021. All F2A numbers provided for Mexico are exempt from the per-country limit.

Detailed Information on Dates for Filing Family-Sponsored Visa Applications

The “Dates for Filing Family-Sponsored Visa Applications” chart in the September 2024 Visa Bulletin is crucial for applicants looking to submit their visa applications. This chart indicates the earliest dates by which applicants can file their visa applications if their priority dates are earlier than the listed dates.

Key Terms:

• Dates for Filing: The earliest date by which an applicant can submit their visa application to the National Visa Center. If an applicant’s priority date is earlier than the date listed, they may begin assembling and submitting the necessary documentation.
• Current (“C”): Indicates that the category is current, meaning all applicants in that category can file their applications, regardless of their priority date.

Family-Sponsored Preference Categories:

1. F1 (First Preference): Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.
2. F2A (Second Preference A): Spouses and children of permanent residents.
3. F2B (Second Preference B): Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years of age or older) of permanent residents.
4. F3 (Third Preference): Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.
5. F4 (Fourth Preference): Brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens.

Summary of Dates for Filing for September 2024:

• The filing dates indicate when applicants can begin submitting their visa applications. These dates are often ahead of the final action dates, allowing applicants to prepare their cases early.
• The F2A category is current for all countries, meaning applicants can file their applications immediately without regard to their priority date.

Specific Observations:

• F1 Category: For most countries, the filing date is September 1, 2017, but for Mexico, it is April 1, 2005, and for the Philippines, it is April 22, 2015.
• F2A Category: This category is current for all countries, meaning applicants can file their applications regardless of their priority date.
• F2B Category: The filing date for most countries is January 1, 2017, but it is as far back as May 1, 2005, for Mexico.
• F3 Category: The filing date for most countries is January 1, 2011, but it is June 15, 2001, for Mexico.
• F4 Category: The filing date varies, with March 1, 2008, for most countries, June 15, 2006, for India, and April 30, 2001, for Mexico.

Dates for Filing Family-Sponsored Visa Applications (September 2024)

Additional Notes:

• The F2A category is current across all chargeability areas, meaning applicants can file their visa applications immediately.
• The filing dates are generally more advanced than the final action dates, allowing applicants to get their documentation in order while waiting for their final action date to become current.

Employment-Based Preferences Overview

The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) outlines five employment-based preference categories for immigrant visas. These categories are crucial for individuals looking to immigrate to the U.S. based on their professional qualifications and investments.

Employment-Based Preferences:

1. EB-1 (First Preference): Priority workers, which include individuals with extraordinary abilities, outstanding professors and researchers, and multinational executives and managers.

• Quota: 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any unused numbers from the fourth and fifth preferences.

1. EB-2 (Second Preference): Members of the professions holding advanced degrees or persons with exceptional abilities.

• Quota: 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any unused numbers from the first preference.

1. EB-3 (Third Preference): Skilled workers, professionals, and other workers.

• Quota: 28.6% of the worldwide level, plus any unused numbers from the first and second preferences. A maximum of 10,000 visas is allocated for “Other Workers,” which typically includes unskilled workers.

1. EB-4 (Fourth Preference): Certain special immigrants, including religious workers, employees of U.S. foreign service posts, and other specific categories.

• Quota: 7.1% of the worldwide level.

1. EB-5 (Fifth Preference): Immigrant investors who create jobs in the U.S.

• Quota: 7.1% of the worldwide level, with 32% of this number reserved as follows:
  • 20%: Reserved for qualified immigrants who invest in a rural area.
  • 10%: Reserved for qualified immigrants who invest in a high unemployment area.
  • 2%: Reserved for qualified immigrants who invest in infrastructure projects.
• The remaining 68% of the visas are unreserved and available to all other qualified investors.

Detailed Information on Final Action Dates for Employment-Based Preference Cases

The “Final Action Dates” for employment-based preference cases in the September 2024 Visa Bulletin indicate when applicants in these categories can expect to receive their immigrant visas. The final action dates are crucial because they determine when an applicant’s priority date becomes current, allowing them to proceed with their visa application.

Key Terms:

• Final Action Date: The cutoff date indicating when a visa can be issued. If your priority date is earlier than the date listed, you are eligible for visa issuance.
• Current (“C”): Indicates that the visa numbers are available for all qualified applicants in that category, regardless of their priority date.
• Unauthorized (“U”): Indicates that no visas are authorized for issuance in that category for the month.

Employment-Based Preference Categories:

1. EB-1 (First Preference): Priority workers, including individuals with extraordinary abilities, outstanding professors and researchers, and multinational executives and managers.
2. EB-2 (Second Preference): Members of the professions holding advanced degrees or persons with exceptional abilities.
3. EB-3 (Third Preference): Skilled workers, professionals, and other workers.
4. EB-4 (Fourth Preference): Certain special immigrants, including religious workers, employees of U.S. foreign service posts, and others.
5. EB-5 (Fifth Preference): Immigrant investors who create jobs in the U.S.

Summary of Final Action Dates for September 2024:

• EB-1 Category: For most countries, the final action date is current, except for China (November 1, 2022) and India (February 1, 2022).
• EB-2 Category: The final action date is March 15, 2023, for most countries, but earlier for China (March 1, 2020) and India (July 15, 2012).
• EB-3 Category: The final action date is December 1, 2020, for most countries, with China at September 1, 2020, and India at October 22, 2012.
• Other Workers Category: The final action date is December 1, 2020, for most countries, but China has a much earlier date (January 1, 2017) and India remains at October 22, 2012.
• EB-4 Category: The final action date is January 1, 2021, across all countries.
• Certain Religious Workers: This category shares the same final action date as EB-4, which is January 1, 2021.
• EB-5 Unreserved: This category is current for most countries, with China having a final action date of December 15, 2015, and India at December 1, 2020.
• EB-5 Set Asides (Rural, High Unemployment, Infrastructure): These categories are current across all countries.

Final Action Dates for Employment-Based Preference Cases (September 2024)

Additional Notes:

• The EB-1 category remains current for most countries, which is a positive indicator for those applying under this category. However, applicants from China and India face significant backlogs.
• The EB-2 and EB-3 categories show significant delays for applicants from China and India due to high demand.
• The EB-5 Unreserved category shows that most countries are current, with notable exceptions for China and India, reflecting the sustained demand in these countries.

Special Considerations:

• Employment Third Preference Other Workers Category: Under the Nicaraguan and Central American Relief Act (NACARA), the number of visas available for the Employment Third Preference Other Workers (EW) category is reduced when the final action date surpasses November 19, 1997. This reduction continues as long as necessary to offset adjustments under the NACARA program. For fiscal year 2024, this reduction will be limited to 157 visas.

Detailed Information on Dates for Filing Employment-Based Visa Applications

The “Dates for Filing Employment-Based Visa Applications” chart in the September 2024 Visa Bulletin provides crucial information for applicants ready to file their visa applications. This chart indicates when applicants can begin submitting their documents to the National Visa Center if their priority date is earlier than the listed date. Filing early can expedite the overall immigration process once the final action date becomes current.

Key Terms:

• Dates for Filing: The earliest date by which an applicant can submit their visa application. If your priority date is earlier than the listed date, you may assemble and submit the required documents.
• Current (“C”): Indicates that all applicants in that category may file their applications, regardless of their priority date.

Employment-Based Preference Categories:

1. EB-1 (First Preference): Priority workers, including individuals with extraordinary abilities, outstanding professors and researchers, and multinational executives and managers.
2. EB-2 (Second Preference): Members of the professions holding advanced degrees or persons with exceptional abilities.
3. EB-3 (Third Preference): Skilled workers, professionals, and other workers.
4. EB-4 (Fourth Preference): Certain special immigrants, including religious workers, employees of U.S. foreign service posts, and others.
5. EB-5 (Fifth Preference): Immigrant investors who create jobs in the U.S.

Summary of Dates for Filing for September 2024:

• EB-1 Category: Most countries are current, meaning applicants can file their applications immediately. However, for China and India, the filing dates are January 1, 2023, and February 8, 2022, respectively.
• EB-2 Category: The filing date for most countries is March 22, 2023. However, for China, the date is June 1, 2020, and for India, it is July 22, 2012.
• EB-3 Category: The filing date is February 1, 2023, for most countries, with China at July 1, 2021, and India at November 1, 2012.
• Other Workers Category: The filing date is January 8, 2021, for most countries, with China at June 1, 2017, and India at November 1, 2012.
• EB-4 and Certain Religious Workers: The filing date is February 1, 2021, across all countries.
• EB-5 Unreserved: Most countries are current, with China having a filing date of January 1, 2017, and India at April 1, 2022.
• EB-5 Set Asides (Rural, High Unemployment, Infrastructure): These categories are current for all countries, meaning applications can be filed regardless of priority date.

Dates for Filing Employment-Based Visa Applications (September 2024)

Additional Notes:

• The EB-1 category remains current for most countries, allowing many applicants to file their applications without delay. However, applicants from China and India will face filing restrictions based on the provided dates.
• The EB-2 and EB-3 categories display more restrictive filing dates for China and India, reflecting the high demand and backlog in these categories.
• The EB-5 Unreserved category is current for most countries, but China and India again face earlier cutoff dates due to sustained demand.

Detailed Information on Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Category for September 2024

The Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) program, also known as the visa lottery, is a U.S. immigration program that provides up to 55,000 immigrant visas annually to individuals from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. The program is designed to diversify the U.S. immigrant population by offering opportunities to people from underrepresented countries.

Key Details:

• INA Section 203(c): Provides the legal foundation for the Diversity Visa program, allowing up to 55,000 immigrant visas each fiscal year.
• NACARA Impact: The Nicaraguan and Central American Relief Act (NACARA) allocates up to 5,000 of these 55,000 visas to NACARA applicants, reducing the DV-2024 limit to 54,843.
• NDAA Amendments: The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024 introduces further reductions to the number of available diversity visas, but these changes will not affect the DV program until FY 2025.
• Regional Allocation: Diversity visas are distributed among six geographic regions, with no single country receiving more than seven percent of the total available visas.

September 2024 DV Availability:

For September 2024, immigrant visa numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2024 applicants from all eligible countries and regions. However, there are specific cut-off numbers for certain countries where demand exceeds the available supply.

DV Regional Cut-Off Numbers for September 2024

Important Notes:

• Current: The “Current” designation means that visas are available for all applicants in that region or country, regardless of their lottery rank number.
• Cut-Off Numbers: The cut-off number indicates that only applicants with a DV lottery rank number below the specified number are eligible to receive a visa in September.

DV Entitlement Period:

• End of Fiscal Year Deadline: The entitlement to immigrant status in the DV category lasts only through the end of the fiscal year for which the applicant was selected. For DV-2024, this means visas must be issued by September 30, 2024. No visas will be issued to DV-2024 applicants after this date, and their eligibility will expire.

Diversity Immigrant (DV) Category Rank Cut-Offs for October 2024

The October 2024 Visa Bulletin provides the rank cut-off numbers for DV-2025 applicants. These numbers indicate the highest DV lottery rank that can apply for a visa during October 2024.

DV Regional Cut-Off Numbers for October 2024

Key Points for October 2024:

• Rank Cut-Offs: The rank cut-offs indicate the maximum DV lottery rank number that can apply for a visa in October. For example, in Africa, applicants with a rank number below 15,000 can apply, except for applicants from Algeria, Egypt, and Morocco, who have lower cut-offs.
• Low Availability for Some Countries: Countries like Iran, Nepal, Russia, and Uzbekistan have lower cut-off numbers due to higher demand.

The Diversity Visa program offers a unique opportunity for individuals from underrepresented countries to immigrate to the U.S. Understanding the cut-off numbers and the timeline for filing applications is crucial for those selected in the lottery. As the fiscal year comes to an end, applicants must act swiftly to ensure they secure their visas before the September 30 deadline. The October 2024 cut-off numbers set the stage for DV-2025 applicants, outlining the early stages of the application process for the next fiscal year.

Statistical Breakdown of DV-2025 Program Registrations by Foreign State of Chargeability

The Diversity Visa (DV) program is designed to promote diversity in the U.S. immigrant population by providing an opportunity for nationals from countries with low immigration rates to the U.S. to apply for a visa. For the DV-2025 program, a statistical breakdown of those registered by foreign state of chargeability is provided, showing the number of individuals selected from various countries across the globe.

Africa

Africa has a significant number of registrants in the DV-2025 program, reflecting the region’s diverse and widespread interest in the program.

Asia

Asia also has a diverse representation in the DV-2025 program, with a large number of registrants from several countries.

Europe

Europe has a significant number of registrants, with notable contributions from Eastern European and Central Asian countries.

North America

North America has a limited number of registrants in the DV-2025 program, with The Bahamas being the only eligible country.

Oceania

Oceania has a relatively small number of registrants, reflecting the region’s lower population and lower rates of emigration.

South America and the Caribbean

South America and the Caribbean have a moderate number of registrants, with a diverse representation from various countries.

Ineligible Countries

Natives of the following countries were not eligible to participate in the DV-2025 program due to high levels of immigration to the U.S. in recent years:

• Bangladesh
• Brazil
• Canada
• China (including Hong Kong SAR)
• Colombia
• Dominican Republic
• El Salvador
• Haiti
• Honduras
• India
• Jamaica
• Mexico
• Nigeria
• Pakistan
• Philippines
• South Korea
• Venezuela
• Vietnam

Conclusion:

This statistical breakdown offers a comprehensive view of the global participation in the DV-2025 program, highlighting the diversity of applicants across different regions. While some countries have a significantly higher number of registrants, others have minimal participation, reflecting both population size and interest in the DV program. Understanding these statistics can provide insights into the geographic distribution of future U.S. immigrants under the Diversity Visa program.

Conclusion

The September 2024 Visa Bulletin is a crucial resource for anyone involved in the U.S. immigration process. It provides vital information on when you can expect to move forward with your visa application. By understanding the final action dates and dates for filing applications, you can better plan your immigration journey. Remember to check the bulletin regularly and consult with immigration professionals to ensure you are on the right track.

For more information and updates, visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website or the Bureau of Consular Affairs website at travel.state.gov.