September 2024 Visa Bulletin: EB-3 Worldwide Retrogression except China & India

In the September Visa Bulletin, the worldwide EB-3 final action date (except China and India) retrogresses one year to 12/01/2020. 

USCIS continues to accept family-based adjustment of status applications based on the filing dates chart and employment-based adjustment of status based on the final action dates chart. 

According to the State Department, the visa number annual limits are expected to be reached during September for most employment-based categories. Once the annual limits are met, the corresponding category will immediately become "unavailable".

Advancement for the EB final action dates is expected in October, as the new annual visa numbers will be available for the next fiscal year.  Date movement will depend on worldwide demands and the estimated FY2025 category limit. 

AD: Dates for Final Action (Green Card Approval)  

FD: Dates for Filing Applications Only

Family-based		Other Countries	China	India	Mexico	Philippines
F1	AD	10/22/2015	10/22/2015	10/22/2015	05/08/2002	03/01/2012
	FD	09/01/2016	09/01/2017	09/01/2017	04/01/2005	04/22/2015
F2A	AD	11/15/2021	11/15/2021	11/15/2021	02/01/2021	11/15/2021
	FD	06/15/2024	06/15/2024	06/15/2024	06/15/2024	06/15/2024
F2B	AD	05/01/2016	05/01/2016	05/01/2016	07/15/2004	10/22/2011
	FD	01/01/2017	01/01/2017	01/01/2017	05/01/2005	10/01/2013
F3	AD	04/01/2010	04/01/2010	04/01/2010	03/01/2000	09/08/2002
	FD	01/01/2011	01/01/2011	01/01/2011	06/15/2001	11/08/2003
F4	AD	08/01/2007	08/01/2007	01/22/2006	02/08/2001	02/01/2004
	FD	03/01/2008	03/01/2008	06/15/2006	04/30/2001	04/01/2006

1st: Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Citizens (about 23,400 per year).
2A: The 2 “A” preference is for Spouses and Children (under 21 & unmarried) of LPR's.
2B: The 2 “B” Preference is for Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 or older) of LPR's.
3rd: Married Sons and Daughters of Citizens (about 23,400 per year)
4th: Brothers and Sisters of Adult Citizens. (about 65,000 per year)

Employment-based		Other Countries	China	India	Mexico	Philippines
EB-1	AD	C	11/01/2022	02/01/2022	C	C
	FD	C	01/01/2023	02/08/2022	C	C
EB-2	AD	03/15/2023	03/01/2020	07/15/2012	03/15/2023	03/15/2023
	FD	03/22/2023	06/01/2020	07/22/2012	03/22/2023	03/22/2023
EB-3	AD	12/01/2020	09/01/2020	10/22/2012	12/01/2020	12/01/2020
	FD	02/01/2023	07/01/2021	11/01/2012	02/01/2023	01/01/2023
Other Workers	AD	01/01/2021	01/01/2017	10/22/2012	01/01/2021	05/01/2020
	FD	01/08/2021	06/01/2017	11/01/2012	01/08/2021	05/15/2020
EB-4	AD	01/01/2021	01/01/2021	01/01/2021	01/01/2021	01/01/2021
	FD	02/01/2021	02/01/2021	02/01/2021	02/01/2021	02/01/2021
EB-5	AD	C	12/15/2015*	12/01/2020*	C	C
	FD	C	01/01/2017	04/01/2022	C	C

1st: Priority Workers (Extraordinary ability aliens, multinational companies' executives/managers, outstanding prof./researchers)
2nd: Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability.
3rd: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers (Unskilled.)
4th: “Special Immigrants” (Religious & others)

5th: Employment Creation (Investors)

*China and India EB-5 visa numbers for rural, high unemployment & infrastructure areas/projects are current.

(Immigration laws and policies change regularly.  If you have any questions regarding this article, please visit www.1visa1.com to schedule a legal consultation.)