Visa Lawyer Blog
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.
Helpful Links
- December Visa Bulletin
- November Visa Bulletin
- Adjustment of Status Filing Dates from Visa Bulletin
- USCIS Processing Times
- Immigrant Visa Backlog Report
- ImmigrationLawyerBlog
- ImmigrationU Membership
- Success stories
- Youtube channel
JOIN OUR NEW FACEBOOK GROUP
Need more immigration updates? We have created a new facebook group to address the impact of the new executive order and other changing developments related to COVID-19. Follow us there.
For other COVID 19 related immigration updates please visit our Immigration and COVID-19 Resource Center here.