Visa Lawyer Blog
Today the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs published the October Visa Bulletin. In this blog post, we breakdown the movement of the employment-based and family-sponsored categories in the coming month.
USCIS Adjustment of Status
For employment-based preference categories, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed it will use the Dates for Filing chart to determine filing eligibility for adjustment of status to permanent residence in the month of October.
For family-sponsored preference categories, USCIS will continue to use the Dates for Filing chart to determine filing eligibility for adjustment of status to permanent residence in the month of October.
Highlights of the October 2024 Visa Bulletin
At a Glance
What can we expect to see in the month of October?
Employment-Based Categories
- The Final Action date for China EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers will retrogress by five months, to April 1, 2020. The Date for Filing will retrogress by almost 8 months, to November 15, 2020.
- The Final Action date for EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers Worldwide will advance by almost two years, to November 15, 2022. The Date for Filing will advance by one month, to March 1, 2023.
- The Final Action date for China EB-5 Unreserved will advance by seven months, to July 15, 2016. The Date for Filing will retrogress by three months, to October 1, 2016.
- The India EB-5 Unreserved Final Action date will advance by more than one year, to January 1, 2022. The Date for Filing will remain at April 1, 2022.
Family-Sponsored Categories
Final Action
- F1 Mexico will advance by 7.8 months to January 1, 2003
- F2A Mexico will advance by 1.1 months to March 8, 2021
- F2A All other countries will advance by 1 week to November 22, 2021
- F2B Mexico will advance by 6 months to January 15, 2005
- F3 Mexico will advance by 5.7 months to August 22, 2000
- F4 Mexico will advance by 2 weeks to February 22, 2001
- F4 India will advance by 1.2 months to March 1, 2006
Dates for Filing
- F1 Mexico will advance by 6 months to October 1, 2005
- F2B Mexico will advance by 3 months to August 1, 2005
- F3 Philippines will advance by 6 months to May 8, 2004
- F3 All other countries will advance by 5.9 months to July 1, 2011
- F4 Philippines will advance by 4 months to August 1, 2006
Now let’s dive into our analysis of the October 2024 Visa bulletin.
Employment-Based Categories
FINAL ACTION DATES FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES
According to the Department of State’s October 2024 Visa Bulletin, the following Final Action cutoff dates will apply for employment-based categories in the month of October.
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 advance by 1 week to 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 remain at July 15, 2012
- EB-2 China will advance by 3 weeks to 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 10 days to November 1, 2012
- EB-3 China will retrogress by 5 months to April 1, 2020
- EB-3 All other countries will advance by 1 year and 11.5 months to November 15, 2022
EB-3 Other Workers
- EB-3 India will advance by 10 days to November 1, 2012
- EB-3 China will remain at January 1, 2017
- EB-3 Philippines will advance by 7 months to 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 advance by 13 months to January 1, 2022
- China will advance by 7 months to July 15, 2016
- All other countries will remain current
EB-5 Set-Aside Categories (Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure) will also remain current
The bold represents the advancement of the category. Purple represents retrogression.
| Employment- based |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| 1st | C | 08NOV22 | 01FEB22 | C | C |
| 2nd | 15MAR23 | 22MAR20 | 15JUL12 | 15MAR23 | 15MAR23 |
| 3rd | 15NOV22 | 01APR20* | 01NOV12 | 15NOV22 | 15NOV22 |
| Other Workers | 01DEC20 | 01JAN17 | 01NOV12 | 01DEC20 | 01DEC20 |
| 4th | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 | 01JAN21 |
| Certain Religious Workers | U | U | U | U | U |
| 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 October 2024 Visa Bulletin, the Dates for Filing cutoff dates will apply for adjustment of status applications filed with USCIS in October:
EB-1 Aliens of extraordinary ability, Outstanding Professors and Researchers, and Certain Multinational Managers or Executives
- EB-1 India will advance by 2.2 months to 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 advance by 5.4 months to January 1, 2013
- EB-2 China will advance by 4 months to October 1, 2020
- EB-2 All other countries will advance by 4.3 months to August 1, 2023
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
- EB-3 India will advance by 7.2 months to June 8, 2013
- EB-3 China will retrogress by 7.5 months to November 15, 2020
- EB-3 All other countries will advance by 1.9 months to March 1, 2023
EB-3 Other Workers
- EB-3 India will advance by 7.2 months to June 8, 2013
- EB-3 China will advance by 7 months to January 1, 2018
- EB-3 All other countries will advance by 4.4 months to 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 retrogress by 3 months to October 1, 2016
- All other countries will remain current
EB-5 Set-Aside Categories (Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure) will also remain current
The bold represents the advancement of the category. Purple represents retrogression.
| 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 October 2024 Visa Bulletin, the following Final Action cutoff dates will apply for family-sponsored categories in the month of October.
F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F1 Mexico will advance by 7.8 months to January 1, 2003
- 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 advance by 1.1 months to March 8, 2021
- F2A All other countries will advance by 1 week to November 22, 2021
F-2B Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents
- F2B Mexico will advance by 6 months to January 15, 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 advance by 5.7 months to August 22, 2000
- F3 Philippines will remain at September 8, 2002
- F3 All other countries will remain at April 1, 2010
F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- F4 Mexico will advance by 2 weeks to February 22, 2001
- F4 Philippines will remain at February 1, 2004
- F4 India will advance by 1.2 months to March 1, 2006
- F4 All other countries will remain at August 1, 2007
The bold represents the advancement of the category.
| Family- Sponsored |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA-mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 22OCT15 | 22OCT15 | 22OCT15 | 01JAN03 | 01MAR12 |
| F2A | 22NOV21 | 22NOV21 | 22NOV21 | 08MAR21 | 22NOV21 |
| F2B | 01MAY16 | 01MAY16 | 01MAY16 | 15JAN05 | 22OCT11 |
| F3 | 01APR10 | 01APR10 | 01APR10 | 22AUG00 | 08SEP02 |
| F4 | 01AUG07 | 01AUG07 | 01MAR06 | 22FEB01 | 01FEB04 |
DATES FOR FILING FOR FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASES
According to the Department of State’s October 2024 Visa Bulletin, the Dates for Filing cutoff dates will apply for adjustment of status applications filed with USCIS in the month of October.
F-1 Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- F1 Mexico will advance by 6 months to 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 advance by 3 months to August 1, 2005
- 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 advance by 6 months to May 8, 2004
- F3 All other countries will advance by 5.9 months to July 1, 2011
F-4 Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
- F4 Mexico will remain at April 30, 2001
- F4 Philippines will advance by 4 months to August 1, 2006
- F4 India will remain at June 15, 2006
- F4 All other countries will remain at March 1, 2008
The bold represents the advancement of the category.
| Family- Sponsored |
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed |
CHINA- mainland born |
INDIA | MEXICO | PHILIPPINES |
| F1 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 01SEP17 | 01OCT05 | 22APR15 |
| F2A | 15JUL24 | 15JUL24 | 15JUL24 | 15JUL24 | 15JUL24 |
| F2B | 01JAN17 | 01JAN17 | 01JAN17 | 01AUG05 | 01OCT13 |
| F3 | 01JUL11 | 01JUL11 | 01JUL11 | 15JUN01 | 08MAY04 |
| F4 | 01MAR08 | 01MAR08 | 15JUN06 | 30APR01 | 01AUG06 |
Conclusion
For the employment-based categories, the Final Action date for China EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers will retrogress by five months, to April 1, 2020. The Date for Filing for the category will retrogress by almost 8 months, to November 15, 2020.
The Final Action date for EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers Worldwide will advance by almost two years, to November 15, 2022. The Date for Filing will advance by one month, to March 1, 2023.
The China EB-5 Unreserved Final Action date will advance by seven months, to July 15, 2016, however, the Date for Filing will retrogress by three months, to October 1, 2016.
The India EB-5 Unreserved Final Action date will advance by more than one year, to January 1, 2022. The Date for Filing for the category will remain at April 1, 2022.
With respect to the family-based categories, major advancements were seen across the board. In the Final Action chart, major advancements include F1 Mexico advancing by 7.8 months to January 1, 2003, F2B Mexico advancing by 6 months to January 15, 2005, and F3 Mexico advancing by 5.7 months to August 22, 2000
In the Dates for Filing Chart, major advancements include F1 Mexico advancing by 6 months to October 1, 2005, F2B Mexico advancing by 3 months to August 1, 2005, F3 Philippines advancing by 6 months to May 8, 2004, F3 Worldwide advancing by 5.9 months to July 1, 2011, and F4 Philippines advancing by 4 months to August 1, 2006.
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.
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