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December Visa Bulletin: Except for Final Action EB-2 and EB-3 India, Absolutely No Advancements

We are pleased to report that today the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs published the December Visa Bulletin. Unfortunately, the December Visa Bulletin brings almost no movement.


USCIS Adjustment of Status


For employment-based and family-sponsored preference categories, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed it will continue to use the Dates for Filing chart to determine filing eligibility for adjustment of status to permanent residence in the month of December.


Highlights of the December 2024 Visa Bulletin


At a Glance

What can we expect to see in the month of December?

Employment-Based Categories

  • The Final Action Date for India EB-2 will advance by two weeks to August 1, 2012
  • The Final Action Date for India EB-3 will advance by one week to November 8, 2012
  • All other employment-based Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing will remain the same in December as the previous month

Family-Sponsored Categories

  • All family-sponsored Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing will remain the same in December as the previous month

For more details, please see our analysis of the December 2024 Visa bulletin below.


Employment-Based Categories


FINAL ACTION DATES FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES


According to the Department of State’s December 2024 Visa Bulletin, the following Final Action cutoff dates will apply for employment-based categories in the month of December.

  • No change from previous month, except for EB-2 India and EB-3 India

EB-1 Aliens of extraordinary ability, Outstanding Professors and Researchers, and Certain Multinational Managers or Executives

  • EB-1 India will remain at February 1, 2022
  • EB-1 China will remain at November 8, 2022
  • EB-1 All other countries will remain current

EB-2 Members of the Professions and Aliens of Exceptional Ability

  • EB-2 India will advance by two weeks to August 1, 2012
  • EB-2 China will remain at March 22, 2020
  • EB-2 All other countries will remain at March 15, 2023

EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers

  • EB-3 India will advance by one week to November 8, 2012
  • EB-3 China will remain at April 1, 2020
  • EB-3 All other countries will remain at November 15, 2022

EB-3 Other Workers

  • EB-3 India will advance by one week to November 8, 2012
  • EB-3 China will remain at January 1, 2017
  • EB-3 Philippines will remain at December 1, 2020
  • EB-3 All other countries will remain at December 1, 2020

EB-4 Religious Workers

  • EB-4 All countries will remain at January 1, 2021 

EB-5 Unreserved Categories (C5, T5, I5, and R5)

  • India will remain at January 1, 2022
  • China will remain at July 15, 2016
  • All other countries will remain current

EB-5 Set-Aside Categories (Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure) will also remain current

Employment-
based
All Chargeability
Areas Except
Those Listed
CHINA-
mainland
born
INDIA MEXICO PHILIPPINES
1st C 08NOV22 01FEB22 C C
2nd 15MAR23 22MAR20 01AUG12 15MAR23 15MAR23
3rd 15NOV22 01APR20 08NOV12 15NOV22 15NOV22
Other Workers 01DEC20 01JAN17 08NOV12 01DEC20 01DEC20
4th 01JAN21 01JAN21 01JAN21 01JAN21 01JAN21
Certain Religious Workers 01JAN21 01JAN21 01JAN21 01JAN21 01JAN21
5th Unreserved
(including C5, T5, I5, R5)
C 15JUL16 01JAN22 C C
5th Set Aside:
Rural (20%)
C C C C C
5th Set Aside:
High Unemployment (10%)
C C C C C
5th Set Aside:
Infrastructure (2%)
C C C C C

DATES FOR FILING FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES


According to the Department of State’s December 2024 Visa Bulletin, the Dates for Filing cutoff dates will apply for adjustment of status applications filed with USCIS in December:

  • No change from previous month

EB-1 Aliens of extraordinary ability, Outstanding Professors and Researchers, and Certain Multinational Managers or Executives

  • EB-1 India will remain at April 15, 2022
  • EB-1 China will remain at January 1, 2023
  • EB-1 All other countries will remain current

EB-2 Members of the Professions and Aliens of Exceptional Ability

  • EB-2 India will remain at January 1, 2013
  • EB-2 China will remain at October 1, 2020
  • EB-2 All other countries will remain at August 1, 2023

EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers

  • EB-3 India will remain at June 8, 2013
  • EB-3 China will remain at November 15, 2020
  • EB-3 All other countries will remain at March 1, 2023

EB-3 Other Workers

  • EB-3 India will remain at June 8, 2013
  • EB-3 China will remain at January 1, 2018
  • EB-3 All other countries will remain at May 22, 2021

EB-4 Religious Workers

  • EB-4 Religious Workers will remain at February 1, 2021

EB-5 Unreserved Categories (C5, T5, I5, and R5) 

  • India will remain at April 1, 2022
  • China will remain at October 1, 2016
  • All other countries will remain current

EB-5 Set-Aside Categories (Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure) will also remain current

Employment-
based
All Chargeability
Areas Except
Those Listed
CHINA-
mainland
born
INDIA MEXICO  PHILIPPINES 
1st C 01JAN23 15APR22 C C
2nd 01AUG23 01OCT20 01JAN13 01AUG23 01AUG23
3rd 01MAR23 15NOV20 08JUN13 01MAR23 01MAR23
Other Workers 22MAY21 01JAN18 08JUN13 22MAY21 22MAY21
4th 01FEB21 01FEB21 01FEB21 01FEB21 01FEB21
Certain Religious Workers 01FEB21 01FEB21 01FEB21 01FEB21 01FEB21
5th Unreserved
(including C5, T5, I5, R5)
C 01OCT16 01APR22 C C
5th Set Aside:
(Rural – 20%)
C C C C C
5th Set Aside:
(High Unemployment – 10%)
C C C C C
5th Set Aside:
(Infrastructure – 2%)
C C C C C

FINAL ACTION DATES FOR FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASES


According to the Department of State’s December 2024 Visa Bulletin, the following Final Action cutoff dates will apply for family-sponsored categories in the month of December.

  • No change from previous month

F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens

  • F1 Mexico will remain at November 22, 2004
  • F1 Philippines will remain at March 1, 2012
  • F1 All other countries will remain at October 22, 2015

F-2A Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents

  • F2A Mexico will remain at April 15, 2021
  • F2A All other countries will remain at January 1, 2022

F-2B Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents

  • F2B Mexico will remain at July 1, 2005
  • F2B Philippines will remain at October 22, 2011
  • F2B All other countries will remain at May 1, 2016

F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens 

  • F3 Mexico will remain at October 22, 2000
  • F3 Philippines will remain at September 8, 2002
  • F3 All other countries will remain at April 15, 2010

F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens

  • F4 Mexico will remain at March 1, 2001
  • F4 Philippines will remain at February 1, 2004
  • F4 India will remain at March 8, 2006
  • F4 All other countries will remain at August 1, 2007
Family-
Sponsored 
All Chargeability
Areas Except
Those Listed
CHINA-mainland
born
INDIA MEXICO PHILIPPINES 
F1 22OCT15 22OCT15 22OCT15 22NOV04 01MAR12
F2A 01JAN22 01JAN22 01JAN22 15APR21 01JAN22
F2B 01MAY16 01MAY16 01MAY16 01JUL05 22OCT11
F3 15APR10 15APR10 15APR10 22OCT00 08SEP02
F4 01AUG07 01AUG07 08MAR06 01MAR01 01FEB04

DATES FOR FILING FOR FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASES


According to the Department of State’s December 2024 Visa Bulletin, the Dates for Filing cutoff dates will apply for adjustment of status applications filed with USCIS in the month of December.

  • No change from previous month

F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens

  • F1 Mexico will remain at October 1, 2005
  • F1 Philippines will remain at April 22, 2015
  • F1 All other countries will remain at September 1, 2017

F-2A Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents

  • F2A All countries will remain at July 15, 2024

F-2B Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents

  • F2B Mexico will remain at July 1, 2006
  • F2B Philippines will remain at October 1, 2013
  • F2B All other countries will remain at January 1, 2017

F3 Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens

  • F3 Mexico will remain at June 15, 2001
  • F3 Philippines will remain at May 8, 2004
  • F3 All other countries will remain at April 22, 2012

F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens

  • F4 Mexico will remain at April 30, 2001
  • F4 Philippines will remain at July 22, 2007
  • F4 India will remain at August 1, 2006
  • F4 All other countries will remain at March 1, 2008

Conclusion


For all employment-based categories, there will be no movement in the Final Action and Dates for Filing charts during the month of December, except for the Final Action Date for EB-2 India which will advance by two weeks to August 1, 2012, and EB-3 India which will advance by one week to November 8, 2012.

With respect to the family-based categories, all Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing will remain the same in December as the previous month.


As we do every month, we will keep you updated on the upcoming movement and changes in the Visa Bulletin right here on our blog.


Contact Us. If you would like to schedule a consultation, please text 619-569-1768 or call 619-819-9204.


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