US Green Card applications: After marking significant advancement in Final Action Dates and Dates for Filings for Indian applicants in April, the May Visa Bulletin has remained stagnant in key categories for Green Card applicants. While some adjustments have been made, significant advancements are notably absent.
Action dates for all family-sponsored Green Card applications from India have shown progress. Noteworthy changes include the Final Action Date for the F2A visa, a Family Based Green Card tailored for spouses and unmarried children of US permanent residents/Green card holders. This date has moved from September 2020 to June 2021, indicating a slight advancement.
The F2B visa, reserved for unmarried sons and daughters (21 years of age or older) of permanent residents are allotted 23% of the overall second preference limitation. The Final Action Dates for these applicants have moved up from November, 2015 to April, 2016.
Similarly, for the F4 family-based green card, the date for filing has shifted to January, 2006 from December, 2005. This category grants lawful permanent residence to specific family members of US citizens, including siblings, their spouses, and unmarried children under 21.
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Understanding the Visa Bulletin is crucial for Green Card applicants, offering insights into the duration of adjusting immigration status and the eligibility timeline based on application submission.
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The bulletin serves as a roadmap for the Green Card journey, featuring two sections to aid navigation:
- Dates for Filing: This section indicates the earliest permissible submission date for adjustment of status or an immigrant visa, signaling applicants to proceed with their filing based on visa category and country.
- Final Action Dates: These dates provide an estimated wait time for application approval, leading to permanent residency. It functions as a queue based on visa category and country of origin.
However, a caveat exists for employment-based green card (EB) adjustments. To file in May 2024, applicants must have an application date preceding a specific date listed for their category and country in the bulletin, ensuring eligibility for filing.
The significance of final action dates lies in their role in application processing. These dates vary depending on visa type and nationality, influencing the duration of the green card application process and potential wait times.
Highlights from the May 2024 Visa Bulletin
Family-sponsored applications
The bulletin outlines preference categories for family-sponsored immigrants, categorized as follows:
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- First Preference (F1): Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- Second Preference (F2): Spouses and Children, and Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents, divided into:
- F2A: Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
- F2B: Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents
- Third Preference (F3): Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens
- Fourth Preference (F4): Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens
The bulletin details the allocation of immigrant visas based on priority dates and demand received by April 1st. If demand exceeds the available visas in a particular category or country, that category is deemed oversubscribed. The final action date for oversubscribed categories is determined by the priority date of the first applicant who could not be reached within the numerical limits.
The fiscal year 2024 limit for family-sponsored preference immigrants is set at 226,000, with specific allocations for each preference category. Additionally, per-country limits are set at 7% of the total annual family-sponsored and employment-based preference limits.
Immigrant visas are issued in the order of priority based on the filing date of the petition. Spouses and children of preference immigrants are entitled to the same status and consideration as the principal applicant. Visa prorating provisions apply to oversubscribed chargeability areas, including China (mainland born), India, Mexico, and the Philippines, when visa issuances exceed the per-country limit.
FINAL ACTION DATES
| Family-Sponsored | INDIA |
| F1 | 8 July, 2015 (was 8 February, 2015) |
| F2A | 1 June, 2021 (was 8 September, 2020) |
| F2B | 1 April, 2016 (was 22 November, 2015) |
| F3 | 1 January, 2010 (was 1 October, 2009) |
| F4 | 15 January, 2006 (was 15 December, 2005) |
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DATES FOR FILING
| Family- Sponsored | INDIA |
| F1 | 1 September, 2017 |
| F2A | 1 September, 2023 |
| F2B | 1 January, 2017 |
| F3 | 1 June, 2010 (was 1 March, 2010) |
| F4 | 15 June, 2006 (was 8 April, 2006) |
Employment-based preferences
First: Priority Workers: 28.6% of the global employment-based preference level, along with any surplus numbers not utilized for fourth and fifth preferences.
Second: Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Individuals of Exceptional Ability: 28.6% of the global employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not needed by the first preference.
Third: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers: 28.6% of the worldwide level, along with any numbers not required by the first and second preferences, with a cap of 10,000 allocated to "Other Workers."
Fourth: Certain Special Immigrants: 7.1% of the global level.
Fifth: Employment Creation: 7.1% of the global level, with 32% designated as follows: 20% set aside for qualified immigrants investing in rural areas; 10% reserved for qualified immigrants investing in high unemployment areas; and 2% reserved for qualified immigrants investing in infrastructure projects. The remaining 68% is unrestricted and allocated for all other eligible immigrants.
FINAL ACTION DATES
| Employment-based | INDIA |
| 1st | 1 March, 2021 |
| 2nd | 15 April 2012 (was 1 April 2012) |
| 3rd | 15 August, 2012 (was 1 July, 2012) |
| Other Workers | 15 August, 2012 |
| 4th | 1 November, 2020 |
| Certain Religious Workers | 1 November, 2020 (was 1 December, 2019) |
| 5th Unreserved(including C5, T5, I5, R5) | 1 December, 2020 |
| 5th Set Aside:Rural (20%) | Current |
| 5th Set Aside:High Unemployment (10%) | Current |
| 5th Set Aside:Infrastructure (2%) | Current |
DATES FOR FILING
| Employment-based | INDIA | |
| 1st | 1 April, 2021 | |
| 2nd | 15 May 2012 | |
| 3rd | 15 September, 2012 | |
| Other Workers | 15 September, 2012 | |
| 4th | 1 December, 2020 | |
| Certain Religious Workers | 1 December, 2020 | |
| 5th Unreserved(including C5, T5, I5, R5) | 1 April 2022 | |
| 5th Set Aside:(Rural - 20%) | Current | |
| 5th Set Aside:(High Unemployment - 10%) | Current | |
| 5th Set Aside:(Infrastructure - 2%) | Current | |
