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

The U.S. Department of State’s Visa Bulletin for November 2024 outlines the availability of family-sponsored and employment-based immigrant visas. This bulletin provides essential dates, numbers, and information for individuals looking to adjust their status or apply for immigrant visas. Here, we’ll break down the key sections to help you understand how the process works and what to expect.

1. Visa Limits and Allocation for Fiscal Year 2025

The U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) outlines the annual limits for family-sponsored and employment-based immigrant visas. These limits are divided into preference categories, each with specific allocations. For Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, visa limits are calculated to reflect global demand and per-country caps, ensuring an equitable distribution of visas across all eligible applicants.

A. Overall Annual Visa Limits

The INA mandates a worldwide limit on visas for both family-sponsored and employment-based categories. For FY 2025, these totals are as follows:

• Family-Sponsored Visas: The ceiling for family-sponsored preference visas is set at 226,000. This includes all categories of family-based preferences, which prioritize family reunification by enabling family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to join their loved ones in the U.S.
• Employment-Based Visas: A minimum of 140,000 visas are available for employment-based immigrants, aimed at attracting skilled professionals, workers, and investors who contribute to the U.S. economy. Any unused family-sponsored visas from the previous fiscal year can roll over to increase the employment-based allocation, which may result in fluctuations above the minimum limit.

B. Per-Country Limitations

The INA further specifies per-country caps to promote diversity and prevent any one nation from dominating the allocation:

• Per-Country Limit: No more than 7% of the total family-sponsored and employment-based preference visas can be allocated to any single country, translating to a maximum of 25,620 visas per country each year. This ensures an equitable distribution, even among countries with high demand, such as India, China, Mexico, and the Philippines.
• Dependent Area Limit: Dependent areas (such as U.S. territories) are limited to 2% of the total annual preference visa allocation, which equals 7,320 visas. This cap includes areas like the Bahamas, which are subject to the same visa preferences as other countries.

C. Allocation for Family-Sponsored Preference Visas

The family-sponsored preference categories are prioritized based on relationships to U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. The INA specifies detailed allocations as follows:

1. First Preference (F1): Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
   Allocated 23,400 visas, plus any numbers not used by the F4 category (Brothers and Sisters of U.S. Citizens). The priority date reflects longer wait times, especially for high-demand countries like the Philippines.
2. Second Preference (F2): Spouses, Children, and Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents
   The largest family-sponsored category, with 114,200 visas, plus any excess from the family-sponsored limit of 226,000. This category is split into:
   • F2A (Spouses and Children): Receives 77% of the F2 allocation, emphasizing immediate family reunification.
   • F2B (Unmarried Sons and Daughters, 21 years or older): Receives the remaining 23%, often leading to longer wait times due to demand.
3. Third Preference (F3): Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
   With 23,400 visas, this category absorbs any unused visas from the F1 and F2 categories. Wait times can be extended for applicants from oversubscribed regions.
4. Fourth Preference (F4): Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
   This category holds 65,000 visas, with any leftover numbers from the F1, F2, and F3 categories added to its total. Due to the high demand, F4 applicants often face significant backlogs, particularly those from India, Mexico, and the Philippines.

D. Allocation for Employment-Based Preference Visas

Employment-based preferences are geared toward enhancing the U.S. workforce and economic competitiveness. The annual employment-based allocation is divided as follows:

1. First Preference (EB-1): Priority Workers
   Holding 28.6% of the employment-based allocation, this category includes individuals of extraordinary ability, professors, researchers, and multinational executives. It absorbs any unused numbers from the EB-4 and EB-5 categories.
2. Second Preference (EB-2): Professionals with Advanced Degrees or Exceptional Ability
   Also allotted 28.6% of the annual total, plus any unused EB-1 numbers, EB-2 attracts professionals who hold advanced degrees or demonstrate exceptional skills in their fields.
3. Third Preference (EB-3): Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers
   Receiving 28.6% of the allocation, this category has a cap of 10,000 visas for “Other Workers” who perform unskilled labor. Remaining visas are allocated to skilled workers and professionals.
4. Fourth Preference (EB-4): Certain Special Immigrants
   With 7.1% of the annual allocation, EB-4 covers religious workers, certain U.S. Government employees, and other special immigrant categories.
5. Fifth Preference (EB-5): Employment Creation (Investors)
   Also allotted 7.1%, EB-5 supports immigrant investors who create U.S. jobs. Specific percentages of EB-5 visas are set aside for rural (20%), high-unemployment (10%), and infrastructure (2%) investments, with the remaining 68% unreserved for general investments.

This annual allocation structure is designed to balance demand, skill sets, and contributions to the U.S. economy, while also maintaining the country’s commitment to family reunification and diversity in immigration. Monitoring these categories monthly helps applicants navigate visa backlogs and priority dates effectively.In addition, dependent areas (such as territories) have a limit of 2% or 7,320 visas.

2. Family-Sponsored Visa Categories: Detailed Breakdown

Family-sponsored visas are allocated based on preference categories, with distinct limits set for each. Here’s an overview of the preferences and their associated limits, along with details on the priority dates relevant for November 2024.

Note: F2A visas subject to per-country limits are available between 15APR21 and 01JAN22 for most countries, but all F2A visas for Mexico are exempt from the per-country limit.

A. Family-Sponsored Visa Categories and Allocations

• F1: Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
  The first preference is designated for unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, with 23,400 visas available annually. This category also benefits from any unused visas from the F4 category (Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens).
• F2: Spouses, Children, and Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents
  This category receives the largest allocation, with a total of 114,200 visas annually. The F2 category is further divided:
  • F2A: Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
    Receiving 77% of the F2 allocation, this subcategory is prioritized, with 75% of the F2A visas exempt from per-country limits. For November, visas are available for applicants from all countries with priority dates earlier than 15APR21, except for those subject to per-country limits, where visas are issued to applicants with priority dates between 15APR21 and 01JAN22.
  • F2B: Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years and older) of Permanent Residents
    Allocated the remaining 23% of the F2 category, this subcategory covers applicants with priority dates reflecting higher demand and longer wait times.
• F3: Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
  This category is allotted 23,400 visas, with any unused numbers from the F1 and F2 categories.
• F4: Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
  This preference category has 65,000 visas available, plus any numbers not required by the first three preferences. It often has the longest wait times due to high demand and caps for oversubscribed countries.

B. Final Action Dates for Family-Sponsored Visas (November 2024)

The following final action dates indicate when visas can be issued to applicants based on their priority date. A “C” indicates that visas are current, meaning available to all qualified applicants, while specific dates indicate backlog and wait times for particular countries and preferences:

These dates demonstrate significant backlogs for applicants from Mexico and the Philippines, especially for F3 and F4, due to higher-than-average demand.

C. Dates for Filing Family-Sponsored Visa Applications (November 2024)

These dates allow applicants to submit visa documentation to the National Visa Center. Only applicants whose priority date is earlier than the listed dates can proceed with filing:

These filing dates provide an opportunity for applicants to submit required documents and move forward in the application process.

3. Employment-Based Visa Categories: Overview and Dates

The Employment-Based visa categories facilitate skilled and qualified workers, professionals, and investors to immigrate to the United States. They are divided into five preferences, each with specific allocations and requirements.

A. Employment-Based Visa Categories and Allocations

• EB-1: Priority Workers
  This category includes individuals with extraordinary ability, outstanding professors and researchers, and multinational executives. 28.6% of the annual employment-based limit is allocated here, with any unused numbers flowing to EB-2.
• EB-2: Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability
  Also receiving 28.6% of the annual limit, EB-2 covers professionals with advanced degrees and individuals with exceptional ability in the arts, sciences, or business.
• EB-3: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers
  Comprising 28.6% of the employment-based allocation, EB-3 serves skilled workers, professionals, and other unskilled workers, though only 10,000 visas are designated specifically for “Other Workers.”
• EB-4: Certain Special Immigrants
  This category, which includes religious workers and certain U.S. Government employees, receives 7.1% of the annual allocation.
• EB-5: Employment Creation (Investors)
  For immigrants investing in U.S. businesses that create jobs, EB-5 allocates 7.1% of employment visas, with set-asides for rural areas, high unemployment areas, and infrastructure projects.

B. Final Action Dates for Employment-Based Visas (November 2024)

The chart below reflects the earliest priority dates eligible for visa issuance in November 2024. A “C” indicates visas are current, while specific dates highlight wait times for oversubscribed countries like China and India:

For China and India, significant backlogs remain in the EB-2 and EB-3 categories due to high demand, especially for applicants with advanced degrees and skilled worker petitions.

C. Dates for Filing Employment-Based Visa Applications (November 2024)

These dates guide when applicants may file documentation with the National Visa Center, signaling eligibility to move forward with the application process:

As with family-sponsored categories, the filing dates allow eligible applicants to advance their immigration process by assembling and submitting necessary documents.

4. Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery for 2025

The Diversity Visa (DV) program offers a unique opportunity for immigrants from countries with historically low immigration rates to the United States. This fiscal year, the program allocates the limit may vary due to NACARA and NDAA provisions, and the final number might not be exactly 51,350 visas due to legislative adjustments, specifically the NACARA and NDAA provisions, which reduce the annual DV limit from 55,000. Here’s an in-depth breakdown for November 2024:

A. DV Rank Cut-Offs for November 2024

For the month of November, the DV allocation allows applicants with regional lottery rank numbers below the specified cut-offs to apply for immigrant visas. This is crucial for ensuring timely processing and allocation based on regional demand. Here are the details:

• Africa: General cut-off at 15,000; however, Algeria is capped at 6,500, Egypt at 8,250, and Morocco at 8,250 due to higher demand from these countries.
• Asia: General cut-off at 3,000, with Iran and Nepal individually capped at 2,950 due to the significant number of applicants.
• Europe: General cut-off at 6,000; Russia’s cap is 5,950, while Uzbekistan is set at 4,900.
• North America: Only 2 spots available, specifically for the Bahamas.
• Oceania: Set at 500 spots due to typically lower applicant numbers.
• South America and the Caribbean: 825 spots are available, covering several countries within this geographic region.
• Bahamas has an allocation of 2 spots in November, increasing to 5 spots in December.

Applicants who meet the eligibility and have rank numbers below these cut-offs should proceed with their application preparations.

B. DV Rank Cut-Offs for December 2024

The diversity visa cut-offs are adjusted monthly. For December 2024, the anticipated cut-offs are slightly higher in several regions to accommodate more applicants:

• Africa: General cut-off at 15,000, with increased caps for Algeria (10,000), Egypt (10,000), and Morocco (10,000).
• Asia: Maintains its cap at 3,000, with Iran and Nepal also unchanged at 2,950.
• Europe: Remains at 6,000, with Russia capped at 5,950 and Uzbekistan at 4,900.
• North America: Increased to 5 for the Bahamas, accommodating a slightly higher number.
• Oceania: Up slightly to 550, reflecting modest applicant growth.
• South America and the Caribbean: Unchanged at 825 spots.

These adjustments reflect shifting applicant pools and regional demand, guiding applicants as they prepare their documentation and submit applications.

The DV program allocates 55,000 visas annually, but this year’s limit is reduced to approximately 51,350 due to legislative amendments. Here are the November DV rank cut-offs:

5. Important Updates and Extensions

The SR category provides a unique pathway for certain religious workers who wish to immigrate to the United States, and as of September 26, 2024, it has been extended until December 19, 2024. SR visa recipients must enter the United States by December 19, 2024, as visas issued will expire on this date.

A. Overview of the SR Category

The SR visa applies to non-minister religious workers such as missionaries and other religious organization employees. In a notable development, H.R. 9747 extended this category, allowing eligible applicants to seek entry until December 19, 2024. Applicants must obtain their visa and enter the U.S. by this date, as visas issued under this category will expire at midnight on December 19, 2024.

Applicants and their sponsoring organizations are advised to expedite their processing to avoid last-minute complications. With the SR category following the same priority dates as the other Employment Fourth Preference visas, it remains subject to per-country limitations. This ensures the availability of visas remains in line with global demand for the Employment Fourth Preference category.

6. Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for U.S. Government Employees

Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) cater to certain U.S. Government employees who have served in roles abroad that qualify them for immigration benefits. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024, signed into law on December 22, 2023, includes provisions affecting these visa applicants. Here’s a detailed look at what this means:

A. Key Points on SIV Eligibility and Scope

The NDAA stipulates that employees who have worked under specific capacities with the U.S. Government abroad may qualify for SIVs. It’s important to note that these changes do not affect Iraqi and Afghan nationals applying under the SQ and SI visa categories, which are governed by separate legislation.

For all other applicants, it’s recommended to check the consular section where their DS-1884 form was filed to understand how these changes impact their cases, as they could affect processing times or specific requirements. The consular staff can provide further details on eligibility and any additional documentation needed under this expanded framework.

7. General Updates and Resources

For applicants and petitioners, the Bureau of Consular Affairs offers a reliable resource for updates on visa processing at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide.

• Website Access: Visit travel.state.gov for regular updates, guidance, and detailed processing information. This site provides country-specific insights, allowing applicants to plan based on local processing conditions and timelines.
• Monthly Visa Bulletin: Since visa allocation and processing timelines can change monthly, keeping up with the latest bulletin can help applicants and petitioners anticipate changes and adjust their plans accordingly.

This additional information should help you round out your article, offering a comprehensive view of the November 2024 Visa Bulletin and the associated immigration pathways. Let me know if you need more specific details on any section.