Following months of minimal movement in the employment-based Green Card categories, the July Visa Bulletin has finally recorded a promising leap across several categories.
While the EB-3 preference faces retrogression in the Other Countries panel, India has jumped far ahead by 11 months in the EB-1 preference.
Meanwhile, the EB-2 category for Indian applicants has also witnessed an advancement of two months.
((PTI File Photo))While Indian applicants rejoice in the unexpected progression, other categories either face retrogression or mere modest movement.
The remaining 68% is unreserved and set aside for all eligible immigrants.
Following months of minimal movement in the employment-based Green Card categories, the July Visa Bulletin has finally recorded a promising leap across several categories. While the EB-3 preference faces retrogression in the Other Countries panel, India has jumped far ahead by 11 months in the EB-1 preference. Meanwhile, the EB-2 category for Indian applicants has also witnessed an advancement of two months. US Visa Bulletin for July.((PTI File Photo))
While Indian applicants rejoice in the unexpected progression, other categories either face retrogression or mere modest movement.
Key Takeaways of July 2024 US Visa Bulletin
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) July Bulletin again relies on official jargon to distinguish between ‘dates for filing’ and ‘final action dates.’
The former maps out the timeline of an application's eligibility. For you to move ahead with the following steps of the application procedure, your priority date must fall on or before the cut-off date listed in your country's visa category. On the contrary, ‘final action dates’ indicate the estimated time for your application's approval.
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Employment-Based preferences
1st: Priority Workers - 28.6% global employment-based preference level + surplus numbers of fourth and fifth preferences.
2nd: Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees / Persons of Exceptional Ability - 28.6% of worldwide employment-based preference level + numbers left out by the first.
3rd: Skilled Workers, Professionals and Other Workers - 28.6% of global level + numbers left over by the first and second preferences, with 10,000 allotted to ‘Other Workers’.
4th: Certain Special Immigrants - 7.1% of the global level, with 32% set aside as follows: 20% for qualified immigrants investing in a rural area + 10% for qualified immigrants investing in high unemployment areas + 2% for qualified immigrants in infrastructure projects. The remaining 68% is unreserved and set aside for all eligible immigrants.
5th: Employment Creation - 7.1% of the worldwide level.
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Final Action Dates for Employment-based cases:
Employment-based category India China-mainland born Mexico Philippines 1st February 1, 2022 November 1, 2022 C C 2nd June 15, 2012 March 1, 2020 March 15, 2023 March 15, 2023 3rd September 22, 2012 September 1, 2020 December 1, 2021 December 1, 2021 Other Workers September 22, 2012 January 1, 2017 January 1, 2021 January 1, 2021 4th January 1, 2021 January 1, 2021 January 1, 2021 January 1, 2021 Certain Religious Workers January 1, 2021 January 1, 2021 January 1, 2021 January 1, 2021 5th Unreserved (including C5,T5,I5, R5) December 1, 2020 December 15, 2015 C C 5th Set Aside: Rural (20%) C C C C 5th Set Aside: High Unemployment (10%) C C C C 5th Set Aside: Infrastructure (2%) C C C C
Dates for filing Employment-based visa applications:
Employment-based category India China Mexico Philippines 1st February 8, 2022 January 1, 2023 C C 2nd June 22, 2012 June 1, 2020 March 22, 2023 March 22, 2023 3rd October 1, 2012 July 1, 2021 February 1, 2023 January 1, 2023 Other Workers October 1, 2012 June 1, 2017 January 8, 2021 May 15, 2020 4th February 1, 2021 February 1, 2021 February 1, 2021 February 1, 2021 Certain Religious Workers February 1, 2021 February 1, 2021 February 1, 2021 February 1, 2021 5th Unreserved (including C5, T5, I5, R5) April 1, 2022 January 1, 2017 C C 5th Set Aside: (Rural - 20% C C C C 5th Set Aside: (High Unemployment - 10%) C C C C 5th Set Aside: (Infrastructure - 2%) C C C C
Family-based Applications:
F1: Unmarried sons + daughters of US citizens [23,400 + numbers left out by fourth preference].
Second: Spouse and children + unmarried sons and daughters of permanent residents
F2A: Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents - 77% of overall second preference, of which 75% are exempt from the per-country limit.
F2B: Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years or older) of Permanent Residents - 23% of overall second preference.
F3: Married Sons + Daughters of US Citizens - 23,400 + numbers left out by first and second preferences.
F4: Brothers and Sisters of Adult US Citizens - 65,000 + surplus numbers of first three preferences.
Final Action Dates for family-sponsored applications:
Family-sponsored category India China-mainland born Mexico Philippines F1 October 22, 2015 October 22, 2015 May 8, 2002 March 1, 2012 F2A November 15, 2021 November 15, 2021 February 1, 2021 November 15, 2021 F2B May 1, 2016 May 1, 2016 July 8, 2004 October 22, 2011 F3 April 1, 2010 April 1, 2010 March 1, 2000 September 8, 2002 F4 January 22, 2006 August 1, 2007 February 8, 2000 February 1, 2004
Dates for filing family-based visa applications:
