Key Takeaways:
- USCIS’s June 2024 Visa Bulletin reveals no changes in EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, and EB-5 for all chargeability areas.
- Family-based preference categories have advancements, particularly benefiting F1, F2A, F2B, and F3 applicants from countries like Mexico and the Philippines.
- Applicants should track priority dates against “Final Action Dates” to determine when to proceed with Green Card processes.
What Happened?
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released the June 2024 Visa Bulletin. This bulletin provides vital information for those seeking permanent residency in the United States, especially highlighting significant dates for Green Card applications. According to the bulletin, there are no changes in final action dates or dates for filing for all countries of chargeability in the EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, and EB-5 categories. Specifically, for China and India, the Employment-Based (EB-1) dates remain unchanged at September 1, 2022, and March 1, 2021, respectively.
To break down what this bulletin entails, it essentially lists visa priority dates, which are basically placeholders in the long journey of the Green Card application process. Each month, the US Department of State calculates the number of applications waiting in each category. This helps estimate when different applicants might be able to move forward with their applications.
Why It Matters?
Understanding these dates is crucial for applicants:
- Dates for Filing: This date is the earliest you can submit your adjustment of status or immigrant visa application. For instance, if your priority date is on or before the cut-off date listed for your category, you can proceed with the next step.
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Final Action Dates: These dates estimate when your application will be processed and decided upon. The difference between Dates for Filing and Final Action Dates roughly indicates the expected processing time by USCIS.
In the June 2024 US Visa Bulletin, family-based preference categories have seen some advancements, which could benefit many applicants.
- F1 (Unmarried Sons and Daughters of US Citizens): For Mexico, the final action dates advance by over two months to January 1, 2002. However, for all other countries except Mexico and the Philippines, these dates remain unchanged at July 8, 2015. For the Philippines, the dates stay at March 1, 2012.
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F2A (Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents): There is notable progress here, with dates for Mexico moving nearly three months forward to February 1, 2021. For the rest of the world, dates move ahead by five months and two weeks to November 15, 2021.
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F2B (Unmarried Sons and Daughters, 21 years or older, of Permanent Residents): For Mexico, dates advance by four months and one week to July 8, 2004. For the Philippines, the dates remain unchanged at October 22, 2011. For the rest of the world, the dates stay at April 1, 2016.
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F3 (Married Sons and Daughters of US Citizens): Dates advance across the board. For the rest of the world, dates move forward by over two months to March 1, 2010. For Mexico, they advance by over four months to December 1, 1999. For the Philippines, dates progress three weeks to August 22, 2002.
For employment-based Green Cards, the bulletin breaks down each category:
- 1st Preference (EB-1, Priority Workers): This category encompasses 28.6% of the global employment-based preference level.
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2nd Preference (EB-2, Professionals with Advanced Degrees or Exceptional Ability): Again, this accounts for 28.6% of the global level.
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3rd Preference (EB-3, Skilled Workers and Professionals): This also takes up 28.6% globally, but with a specific cap for ‘Other Workers’.
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4th Preference (EB-4, Special Immigrants): This category is designated 7.1% of the global level.
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5th Preference (EB-5, Investors): This also constitutes 7.1% of the global level, with specific portions set aside for investments in rural and high unemployment areas, as well as infrastructure projects.
Knowing where you stand in these categories can influence your application strategy and how you plan your pathway to permanent residency.
What Comes Next?
Now that the June 2024 Visa Bulletin is out, what’s next?
Applicants must diligently track their priority dates against the “Final Action Dates” listed. This can help determine when they might move forward with their applications. Let’s dive deeper into specific categories for June 2024:
- Employment-Based Preferences for India (Final Action Dates):
- EB-1: Unchanged at March 1, 2021.
- EB-2: Set at April 15, 2012.
- EB-3 and Other Workers: Both categories hold at August 15, 2012.
- EB-4 and Certain Religious Workers: Currently at November 1, 2020.
- EB-5 (Unreserved and Set-Aside Categories): Dates vary with some remaining current, indicating availability for applicants.
For applicants, there are two primary ways to move forward with their aspirations of getting a Green Card:
- Adjustment of Status: This is for those already living in the United States. Once your priority date becomes current, you can adjust your status to become a permanent resident without leaving the country.
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Applying for an Immigrant Visa: If you are living outside the United States, you will apply for an immigrant visa at a US consulate or embassy. Once your visa is granted, you can then move to the US and receive your Green Card upon arrival.
For authoritative information and guidance, you can always refer to the official USCIS page that details these procedures.
Family-Based Preference Categories Moving Forward:
- F4 (Brothers and Sisters of Adult US Citizens): Shifted to January 15, 2006, from December 15, 2005.
These advancements in dates mean different things for various applicants. If you fit into one of the categories that saw forward movement, you may be able to file your case sooner than you anticipated.
Additional Points to Consider
- Annual Limits and Per-Country Restrictions: For the fiscal year 2024, the family-sponsored preference limit stands at 226,000, and the employment-based preference limit is set at a minimum of 140,000. Each country has a cap of 7% of these totals, which equates to 25,620 visas, preventing any single country from benefiting disproportionately.
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Application Process: Applicants need to track their priority dates using the “Final Action Dates”. When more visas become available than applicants, USCIS updates its guidelines, potentially allowing for earlier filings.
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Dates for Filing (Employment-Based Preferences): These range from current to specific cut-offs in 2020 and 2022 for EB-1 through EB-5 categories. These dates enable applicants to assess when they can file their applications effectively.
Lastly, it is essential for applicants to remain vigilant regarding changes in the US Visa Bulletin and stay informed about how new developments could affect their status. The June 2024 Visa Bulletin, while maintaining stability in some areas, brings promising advancements in various family-based categories. It serves as a crucial guide for anyone on the Green Card journey, helping applicants maneuver the complex pathways of US immigration.
Learn Today:
Immigration Glossary
- USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services):
The federal agency that oversees lawful immigration to the United States. USCIS processes immigrant visa petitions, naturalization applications, asylum requests, and other immigration-related matters. -
Visa Bulletin:
A monthly publication by the US Department of State that provides information on the availability of immigrant visa numbers. It lists priority dates to help applicants understand when they can proceed with their Green Card applications. -
Priority Date:
The date when an applicant’s petition (e.g., for a Green Card) is filed with USCIS. It acts as a queue placeholder, determining the order in which applicants can proceed with their visa application based on the visa category and country of chargeability. -
Dates for Filing:
The earliest dates applicants can submit their adjustment of status or immigrant visa applications. If an applicant’s priority date is on or before the cut-off date listed, they are eligible to file their application. -
Final Action Dates:
The dates indicating when an application will be processed and potentially decided upon by USCIS. They estimate the time it will take for an application to move from filing to final decision.
This Article In A Nutshell:
The June 2024 US Visa Bulletin indicates no changes to key dates for Green Card applications in various employment and family-based categories. Understanding priority dates is crucial for applicants to navigate their path to permanent residency. Advancements in some family categories signify opportunities for earlier filings, shaping individuals’ immigration journeys positively.
— By VisaVerge.com
