US Visa Bulletin for May 2024: Navigating the Latest Final Action Dates in Family-Sponsored Preference Cases

STATUTORY NUMBERS FOR PREFERENCE IMMIGRANT VISAS

Are you planning to immigrate to the United States or helping someone navigate the complex world of immigration? Understanding the statutory numbers for preference immigrant visas is crucial. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of US Visa Bulletin for May 2024:

1. Understanding the Process: Consular officers and USCIS play pivotal roles in determining immigrant visa availability. Allocation of visas is done in chronological order of reported priority dates, based on demand received by April 1st. If demand exceeds the available visas, categories or countries are deemed oversubscribed. Retrogression of final action dates might occur if necessary, with priority given to applicants falling within the new action dates.

2. Fiscal Year Limits: For family-sponsored preference immigrants, the fiscal year 2024 limit stands at 226,000, while the worldwide level for annual employment-based preference immigrants is at least 140,000. Per-country limits for preference immigrants are set at 7% of the total, totalling 25,620, with dependent area limits set at 2%, or 7,320.

3. Preference Visa Order: According to INA Section 203(e), preference visas are issued based on the order of filed petitions. Spouses and children of preference immigrants are entitled to the same status and consideration. Visa prorating provisions apply when issuances exceed per-country limits, particularly affecting oversubscribed areas like mainland China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines.

4. Family-Sponsored Preferences:

• First (F1): Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
• Second (F2): Spouses, Children, and Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents

• F2A: Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
• F2B: Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents

• Third (F3): Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
• Fourth (F4): Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens

These numbers reflect the intricacies of the U.S. immigration system and the importance of staying updated on visa availability. For individuals navigating the immigration process, staying informed about statutory numbers and preference categories can be crucial for planning and decision-making.

Important Immigration Update: Final Action Dates for Family-Sponsored Preference Cases

Family-Sponsored Preference Categories:

1. F1 (Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens):

1. All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed: Priority date of July 8, 2015.
2. China (mainland-born): Priority date of July 8, 2015.
3. India: Priority date of July 8, 2015.
4. Mexico: Priority date of October 15, 2001.
5. Philippines: Priority date of March 1, 2012.

2. F2A (Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents):

1. Priority date of June 1, 2021 for all chargeability areas except Mexico.
2. Priority date of November 8, 2020 for Mexico.
3. Note: Some exemptions apply, please refer to the detailed explanation below.

3. F2B (Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents):

1. Priority date of April 1, 2016 for all chargeability areas except Mexico.
2. Priority date of March 1, 2004 for Mexico.

4. F3 (Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens):

1. Priority date of January 1, 2010 for all chargeability areas except Mexico and the Philippines.
2. Priority date of July 22, 1999 for Mexico.
3. Priority date of August 1, 2002 for the Philippines.

5. F4 (Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens):

1. Priority date of July 22, 2007 for all chargeability areas except Mexico and the Philippines.
2. Priority date of January 15, 2006 for India.
3. Priority date of January 22, 2001 for Mexico.
4. Priority date of September 8, 2003 for the Philippines.
5. Additional dates are provided for specific chargeability areas.

Exemptions and Per-Country Limits:

• F2A numbers exempt from per-country limits are authorized for issuance to applicants from all countries with priority dates earlier than November 8, 2020.
• F2A numbers subject to per-country limits are authorized for issuance to applicants chargeable to all countries except Mexico, with priority dates beginning November 8, 2020, and earlier than June 1, 2021.
• All F2A numbers provided for Mexico are exempt from the per-country limit.

These final action dates are subject to change based on visa demand and availability. Applicants are encouraged to stay updated on any revisions to these dates. For more information and detailed explanations, please visit the official website of the U.S. Department of State.

Important Update on Family-Sponsored Visa Application Dates

If you’re in the process of applying for a family-sponsored visa, it’s crucial to stay informed about the latest updates. The U.S. Department of State has released the latest chart for filing visa applications, and here’s what you need to know:

Family-Sponsored Visa Application Dates:

Category	All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA-mainland born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	01SEP17	01SEP17	01SEP17	01APR05	22APR15
F2A	01SEP23	01SEP23	01SEP23	01SEP23	01SEP23
F2B	01JAN17	01JAN17	01JAN17	01SEP04	01OCT13
F3	01JUN10	01JUN10	01JUN10	15JUN01	08NOV03
F4	01MAR08	01MAR08	15JUN06	22APR01	01JUN05

Explanation: The dates provided indicate when applicants with a priority date earlier than the listed date may submit their visa applications.

What You Should Do:

• If your priority date is earlier than the application date listed in the chart, assemble and submit required documents to the Department of State’s National Visa Center promptly upon receipt of notification.
• For oversubscribed categories, act immediately if your priority date is approaching the application date listed.
• If a category is designated as “current,” applicants in that category may file applications regardless of priority date.

USCIS Adjustment of Status:

Visit www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo to check if USCIS has approved the use of this chart for filing applications for adjustment of status this month.

Employment-Based Preferences:

For those pursuing employment-based immigrant visas, preference classes are outlined as follows:

1. Priority Workers
2. Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability
3. Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers
4. Certain Special Immigrants
5. Employment Creation

Diversity Immigrant (DV) Category: May and June 2024 Updates May 2024 Allocations:

The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, governed by Section 203(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), offers up to 55,000 immigrant visas annually to individuals from countries with historically low immigration rates to the U.S. However, some adjustments are made to this figure due to various factors.

For May 2024, immigrant visa numbers in the DV category are distributed among different regions and countries as follows:

• Africa: 52,000 visas are available, with specific exceptions for Algeria, Egypt, and Morocco.
• Asia: 8,000 visas are allocated, except for Iran and Nepal.
• Europe: 18,000 visas are up for grabs, except for Russia and Uzbekistan.
• North America (Bahamas): 15 visas.
• Oceania: 1,650 visas.
• South America and the Caribbean: 2,600 visas.

It’s important to note that the entitlement to immigrant status in the DV category lasts only until the end of the fiscal year for which the applicant is selected. For DV-2024 applicants, this means their entitlement ends on September 30, 2024. So, time is of the essence!

June 2024 Sneak Peek:

Looking ahead to June, here’s a glimpse of what the DV category allocations will look like:

• Africa: 57,000 visas, with exceptions for Algeria, Egypt, and Morocco.
• Asia: 9,000 visas, with exceptions for Iran and Nepal.
• Europe: 21,000 visas, with exceptions for Russia and Uzbekistan.
• North America (Bahamas): 15 visas.
• Oceania: 1,850 visas.
• South America and the Caribbean: 2,750 visas.

As we approach the end of the fiscal year, it’s crucial to stay updated on these allocation numbers and deadlines. Remember, DV visa availability might run out before September 30, so act swiftly if you’re among the lucky selected applicants.

EMPLOYMENT FOURTH PREFERENCE (SR) RELIGIOUS WORKERS CATEGORY EXTENDED

Great news for those in the Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR) category! H.R. 2882, signed on March 23, 2024, has extended the SR category until September 30, 2024.

However, it’s essential to note that after midnight on September 29, 2024, no SR visas may be issued overseas, and final action on adjustment of status cases will not be taken. Visas issued before this deadline will be valid only until September 29, 2024.

All individuals seeking admission in the non-minister special immigrant category must be admitted into the United States no later than midnight on September 29, 2024. Stay updated and make necessary arrangements before the deadline.

ANNUAL WAITING LIST REPORT OF IMMIGRANT VISA APPLICANTS

The National Visa Center has released the totals of applicants registered in various numerically-limited immigrant categories for processing at overseas posts.

For detailed information, visit the Consular Affairs website at www.travel.state.gov and navigate to the immigrant visa statistics section.

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, may impact certain current and former employees of the U.S. Government abroad applying for SIVs or adjustment of status, as described in section 101(a)(27)(D) of the INA.

This does not affect certain Iraqis and Afghans applying for SQ and SI SIVs. Applicants are encouraged to reach out to the consular section where they filed their Form DS‑1884 for further information on how this law may affect their case.

For the most up-to-date information on visa processing at U.S. embassies and consulates, please visit the Bureau of Consular Affairs website at TRAVEL.STATE.GOV. Stay informed and plan your visa applications accordingly.

These updates are crucial for individuals involved in immigration processes. Stay tuned for further announcements and act promptly to ensure compliance with the latest regulations. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated as we work towards facilitating smooth immigration procedures.

Source courtesy : https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2024/visa-bulletin-for-may-2024.html