5. DATES FOR FILING FAMILY-SPONSOREDVISA APPLICATIONS. Second: Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability: 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required by first preference. Unless otherwise indicated on the U.S. The application date for an oversubscribed category is the priority date of the first applicant who cannot submit documentation to the National Visa Center for an immigrant visa. 4. For all family-sponsored preference categories, you must use the Dates for Filing chart in the Department of State Visa Bulletin for February 2023. Increased demand in the Employment Second category may necessitate the establishment of a worldwide final action date in the coming months to hold number use within the maximum allowed under the Fiscal Year 2023 annual limit. (NOTE: Numbers are authorized for issuance only for applicants whose priority date is earlier than the final action date listed below. this month for filing applications for adjustment of status with USCIS. Fourth: Certain Special Immigrants: 7.1% of the worldwide level. If a category is designated current, all applicants in the relevant category may file applications, regardless of priority date. DATES FOR FILING FAMILY-SPONSOREDVISA APPLICATIONS. Section 201 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) sets an annual minimum family-sponsored preference limit of 226,000. The fiscal year 2022 limit for family-sponsored preference immigrants determined in accordance with Section 201 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) is 226,000. Final Action Date - Feb 8, 2012. The most notable change is with India EB2's Final Action Date, which has regressed more than 2 years and 8 months. A closer look According to the State Department's October Visa Bulletin, final action cutoff dates for issuance of an immigrant visa will be as follows: EB-1: All countries, including China and India, will remain current. Allocations in the charts below were made, to the extent possible, in chronological order of reported priority dates, for demand received by October 3rd. This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during September for: "Final Action Dates" and "Dates for Filing Applications," indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center. K. FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION ON VISA PROCESSING AT U.S. EMBASSIES AND CONSULATESDURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, PLEASE VISIT THE BUREAU OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS WEBSITEAT TRAVEL.STATE.GOV. B. The visa prorating provisions of Section 202(e) apply to allocations for a foreign state or dependent area when visa demand exceeds the per-country limit. These provisions apply at present to the following oversubscribed chargeability areas: CHINA-mainland born, EL SALVADOR, GUATEMALA, HONDURAS, INDIA, MEXICO, and PHILIPPINES. The application date for an oversubscribed category is the priority date of the first applicant who cannot submit documentation to the National Visa Center for an immigrant visa. When an allocation cut-off number is shown, visas are available only for applicants with DV regional lottery rank numbersBELOWthe specified allocation cut-off number: Except: Iran 2,500 Enjoy the benefits of tracking, analyzing, estimating and discussing your immigration matters. Section 202 prescribes that the per-country limit for preference immigrants is set at 7% of the total annual family-sponsored and employment-based preference limits, i.e., 25,620. The NACARA stipulates that beginning with DV-99, and for as long as necessary, up to 5,000 of the 55,000 annually allocated diversity visas will be made available for use under the NACARA program. 2. All applicants, falling under employment-based preference categories, must use the Final Action Dates chart in the Department of State Visa Bulletin for August 2022. DV visas are divided among six geographic regions. During the program, Mr. Oppenheim provided updated predictions for fiscal year 2022 (FY22), which begins on October 1, 2021. The key of our short-term prediction is that there will be no 'forward movement' for F4-All Countries until at least the summer of 2022, and most likely no movement until the end of fiscal year 2022 in September 2022. U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE BUREAU of CONSULAR AFFAIRS. US Dept of State Work-Sponsored Visa Bulletin Predictions for September 2022 All Charge-ability Areas Except Those Listed Mainland China India Mexico Philippines Need help? As readers were warned may happen in Item G of the October 2022 Visa Bulletin, high demand in the Employment Fourth category has necessitated the establishment of a worldwide final action date and application filing date for December to hold number use within the maximum allowed under the FY-2023 annual limit. You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State. Refresh . When an allocation cut-off number is shown, visas are available only for applicants with DV regional lottery rank numbersBELOWthe specified allocation cut-off number: D.EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE ANNUAL LIMIT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023. Visa Bulletin Login Add another account . The SR category is subject to the same final action dates as the other Employment Fourth Preference categories per applicable foreign state of chargeability. 4. Your priority date should be before . Second: Spouses and Children, and Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents: 114,200, plus the number (if any) by which the worldwide family preference level exceeds 226,000, plus any unused first preference numbers: A. Third: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers: 28.6% of the worldwide level, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences, not more than 10,000 of which to "*Other Workers". Consular officers are required to report to the Department of State documentarily qualified applicants for numerically limited visas; USCIS reports applicants for adjustment of status. November 2022 Visa Bulletin has been officially released (valid from November 1 to November 30 only). Unless otherwise indicated on the U.S. These provisions apply at present to the following oversubscribed chargeability areas: CHINA-mainland born, EL SALVADOR, GUATEMALA, HONDURAS, INDIA, MEXICO, and PHILIPPINES. If at any time an annual limit were reached, it would be necessary to immediately make the preference category unavailable, and no further requests for numbers would be honored. Similarly, spouses and children accompanying or following to join DV-2023 principals are only entitled to derivative DV status until September 30, 2023. Section 203(d) provides that spouses and children of preference immigrants are entitled to the same status, and the same order of consideration, if accompanying or following to join the principal. The situation will be continually monitored, and any necessary adjustments made accordingly. Section 203(d) provides that spouses and children of preference immigrants are entitled to the same status, and the same order of consideration, if accompanying or following to join the principal. Please see September 2022 Visa Bulletin Predictions below (for both Family Based and Employment Based categories for all countries): Family Based: Final Action Dates Dates For Filing Applications "Final Action Date" is the date when when USCIS/DOS may render their final decision on submitted applications. Reset Update Tracker Graph Results New Immigrants Insurance Get Quotes New Immigrants Insurance Overview Read Article Visitors Insurance Get Quotes No Results Found Legend Talk to thousands of members on our discussion forums. *Employment Third Preference Other Workers Category: Section 203(e) of the Nicaraguan and Central American Relief Act (NACARA) passed by Congress in November 1997, as amended by Section 1(e) of Pub. Mr. Charlie Oppenheim, the chief of the visa control unit, provided predictions for the end of the fiscal year 2021 and the fiscal year 2022. Third: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers: 28.6% of the worldwide level, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences, not more than 10,000 of which to "*Other Workers". E.EXTENSION OF EMPLOYMENT FOURTH PREFERENCE CERTAIN RELIGIOUS WORKERS (SR) CATEGORY. 3. Third: (F3) Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens: 23,400, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences. This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during Septemberfor: Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing Applications, indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center. The situation will be continually monitored, and any necessary adjustments made accordingly. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. G.VISA AVAILABILITY IN THE EMPLOYMENT FOURTH CATEGORY. The chart below reflects dates for filing visa applications within a timeframe justifying immediate action in the application process. H.R. DATES FOR FILING FAMILY-SPONSOREDVISA APPLICATIONS. E.RETROGRESSION OF CHINA-MAINLAND BORN FINAL ACTION DATE AND IMPOSITION OF INDIAFINAL ACTION DATE IN THE EMPLOYMENT-BASED FIFTH PREFERENCE UNRESERVED CATEGORIES(INCLUDING C5, T5, I5, AND R5). B.DIVERSITYIMMIGRANT(DV)CATEGORY FOR THE MONTHOF NOVEMBER. As a result, most employment-based preference category limits and/or the overall employment-based preference limit forFY 2022 are expected to be reached during September. The NACARA stipulates that beginning with DV-99, and for as long as necessary, up to 5,000 of the 55,000 annually allocated diversity visas will be made available for use under the NACARA program. Section 203(b) of the INA prescribes preference classes for allotment of Employment-based immigrant visas as follows: First: Priority Workers: 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required for fourth and fifth preferences. You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State. Nepal 1,450. Date of Filing (DOF) Filing Action (FA) Predictions . E.VISA AVAILABILITY IN THE EMPLOYMENT FIRST CATEGORY FOR CHINA AND INDIA. The year of entitlement for all applicants registered for the DV-2022 program ends as of September 30, 2022. The year of entitlement for all applicants registered for the DV-2023 program ends as of September 30, 2023. A. Third: (F3) Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens: 23,400, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences. Readers were advised in item G of the June 2022 Visa Bulletin that due to steady number use in the F2A category, a final action date might need to be established as early as August. INA Section 203(e) provides that family-sponsored and employment-based preference visas be issued to eligible immigrants in the order in which a petition in behalf of each has been filed. The October 2022 Visa Bulletin has been released by the USCIS, with new priority dates listed for the month of October. Therefore, it has become necessary to establish a final . The C listing indicates that the category is current, and that applications may be filed regardless of the applicants priority date. A. L. 105-139, provides that once the Employment Third Preference Other Worker (EW) cut-off date has reached the priority date of the latest EW petition approved prior to November 19, 1997, the 10,000 EW numbers available for a fiscal year are to be reduced by up to 5,000 annually beginning in the following fiscal year. If a category is designated current, all applicants in the relevant category may file applications, regardless of priority date. This will result in reduction of the DV-2022 annual limit to approximately 54,850. This reduction is to be made for as long as necessary to offset adjustments under the NACARA program. However, higher than expected levels of demand in the Employment First and Employment Second categories has materialized this year, and as a result, fewer additional numbers will be available to India in the Employment Second category than originally estimated when the October and November final action and application filing dates were established. The final action dates for the I5 and R5 categories have been listed as Unavailable for January. H.R. The visa prorating provisions of Section 202(e) apply to allocations for a foreign state or dependent area when visa demand exceeds the per-country limit. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website atwww.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo,individuals seeking to file applications for adjustment of status with USCIS in the Department of Homeland Security must use the Final Action Dates charts below for determining when they can file such applications. When USCIS determines that there are more immigrant visas available for the fiscal year than there are known applicants for such visas, USCIS will state on its website that applicants may instead use the Dates for Filing Visa Applications charts in this Bulletin. Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. 3. Visit www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo for information on whether USCIS has determined that this chart can be used (in lieu of the chart in paragraph 5.A.) 5. It was necessary to retrogress the final action date for the China-mainland born Employment-Based Fifth Preference unreserved categories due to heavy demand for numbers, primarily for visa issuances abroad. ForSeptember, immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2022 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. Section 203(a) of the INA prescribes preference classes for allotment of Family-sponsored immigrant visas as follows: First:(F1)Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens: 23,400 plus any numbers not required for fourth preference. 6833, enacted on September 30, 2022, extended the Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR) category until December 16, 2022. Entitlement to immigrant status in the DV category lasts only through the end of the fiscal (visa) year for which the applicant is selected in the lottery. The situation will be continually monitored, and any necessary adjustments made accordingly. this month for filing applications for adjustment of status with USCIS. If it becomes necessary during the monthly allocation process to retrogress a final action date, supplemental requests for numbers will be honored only if the priority date falls within the new final action date announced in this bulletin. EB-2: India will advance by 4 months to May 1, 2013, and China will remain at March 1, 2019. Fifth:Employment Creation: 7.1% of the worldwide level, of which 32% are reserved as follows: 20% reserved for qualified immigrants who invest in a rural area; 10% reserved for qualified immigrants who invest in a high unemployment area; and 2% reserved for qualified immigrants who invest in infrastructure projects. Philippines - Next Month's Predictions Latest Published Visa Bulletin India F4 - Next Month's Prediction Latest Published F4 Visa Bulletin Gain access to 20+ year prediction for your personal timeline or message us with a question. Numbers could be exhausted prior to September 30. DV visas are divided among six geographic regions. The key of our prediction is that there will be no 'forward movement' for F1-All Countries until at least the summer of 2022, and most likely no movement until the end of fiscal year 2022 in September 2022. Disclaimer: In order to estimate dates, this Site uses the Visa Bulletin data from previous fiscal years and the current fiscal year, and make calculations about possible future dates. Due to heavy applicant demand and significantly lower visa number availability for India E2 for FY-2023, corrective action was taken in October to keep number use within the maximum allowed under the FY-2023 annual limits. Since the EW final action date reached November 19, 1997 during Fiscal Year 2001, the reduction in the EW annual limit to 5,000 began in Fiscal Year 2002. The final action date for an oversubscribed category is the priority date of the first applicant who could not be reached within the numerical limits. November 2022 Visa Bulletin Predictions. The results of the October 2022 Visa Bulletin were not only frustrating for potential green card applicants, but also shocking. The chart below reflects dates for filing visa applications within a timeframe justifying immediate action in the application process. The dependent area limit is set at 2%, or 7,320. When USCIS determines that there are more immigrant visas available for the fiscal year than there are known applicants for such visas, USCIS will state on its website that applicants may instead use the Dates for Filing Visa Applications charts in this Bulletin. Pursuant to the continuing resolution, the non-minister special immigrant program expires on February 18, 2022. No one country can receive more than seven percent of the available diversity visas in any one year. No SR visas may be issued overseas, or final action taken on adjustment of status cases, after midnight September 29, 2022. Rapid forward movements of the India E2 final action and application filing dates during FY-2022 were made to maximize number use under the unprecedented high employment limit of 281,507. Since the EW final action date reached November 19, 1997 during Fiscal Year 2001, the reduction in the EW annual limit to 5,000 began in Fiscal Year 2002. This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during January for: "Final Action Dates" and "Dates for Filing Applications," indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center. 6833, enacted on September 30, 2022, extended the Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR) category until December 16, 2022. Entitlement to immigrant status in the DV category lasts only through the end of the fiscal (visa) year for which the applicant is selected in the lottery. In the November 2022 Visa Bulletin, there were no changes seen to the priority dates for both India EB2 and EB3. The final action date for an oversubscribed category is the priority date of the first applicant who could not be reached within the numerical limits. When USCIS determines that there are more immigrant visas available for the fiscal year than there are known applicants for such visas, USCIS will state on its website that applicants may instead use the Dates for Filing Visa Applications charts in this Bulletin. Preliminary consolidated number use by State and USCIS for all of FY-2022 shows there were approximately 57,000 unused family-sponsored visa numbers. This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers duringJanuaryfor: Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing Applications, indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center. Predictions Custom . Visit www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo for information on whether USCIS has determined that this chart can be used (in lieu of the chart in paragraph 5.A.) The C listing indicates that the category is current, and that applications may be filed regardless of the applicants priority date. Section 203(d) provides that spouses and children of preference immigrants are entitled to the same status, and the same order of consideration, if accompanying or following to join the principal. B.DIVERSITYIMMIGRANT(DV)CATEGORY FOR THE MONTHOF OCTOBER. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message. No I5 or R5 visas may be issued overseas, or final action taken on adjustment of status cases after June 30, 2021. this month for filing applications for adjustment of status with USCIS. DV visas may not be issued to DV-2022 applicants after that date. The application date for an oversubscribed category is the priority date of the first applicant who cannot submit documentation to the National Visa Center for an immigrant visa. The application date for an oversubscribed category is the priority date of the first applicant who cannot submit documentation to the National Visa Center for an immigrant visa. We estimate that both the final action date and the date of filing application will . Fourth: (F4) Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens: 65,000, plus any numbers not required by first three preferences. C.THE DIVERSITY (DV) IMMIGRANTCATEGORY RANK CUT-OFFSWHICH WILL APPLY IN JANUARY. On August 2nd, USCIS provided the required data to the VO. When an allocation cut-off number is shown, visas are available only for applicants with DV regional lottery rank numbersBELOWthe specified allocation cut-off number: D.SCHEDULED EXPIRATION OF EMPLOYMENT FOURTH PREFERENCE (SR) RELIGIOUS WORKERSCATEGORY. Section 202 prescribes that the per-country limit for preference immigrants is set at 7% of the total annual family-sponsored and employment-based preference limits, i.e., 35,525 for FY-2022. Back to Green Card Discussion Forum (I-140) Ask a Lawyer. L. 105-139, provides that once the Employment Third Preference Other Worker (EW) cut-off date has reached the priority date of the latest EW petition approved prior to November 19, 1997, the 10,000 EW numbers available for a fiscal year are to be reduced by up to 5,000 annually beginning in the following fiscal year. *Employment Third Preference Other Workers Category: Section 203(e) of the Nicaraguan and Central American Relief Act (NACARA) passed by Congress in November 1997, as amended by Section 1(e) of Pub. Worldwide Employment-Based preference limit: 281,507. If a category is designated current, all applicants in the relevant category may file, regardless of priority date. Please see below for more details or click here to view in PDF format. The dependent area annual limit is 2%, or 10,150. "Final Action Date" is the date when when USCIS/DOS may render their final decision on submitted applications. The application date for an oversubscribed category is the priority date of the first applicant who cannot submit documentation to the National Visa Center for an immigrant visa. These provisions apply at present to the following oversubscribed chargeability areas: CHINA-mainland born, EL SALVADOR, GUATEMALA, HONDURAS, INDIA, MEXICO, and PHILIPPINES. ForJanuary, immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified DV-2022 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during Novemberfor: Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing Applications, indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center. Applicants for immigrant visas who have a priority date earlier than the application date in the chart below may assemble and submit required documents to the Department of States National Visa Center, following receipt of notification from the National Visa Center containing detailed instructions. A. Except for China and India, all countries are subject to a final action date of 01NOV22 and an application filing date of 01DEC22. Consular officers are required to report to the Department of State documentarily qualified applicants for numerically limited visas; USCIS reports applicants for adjustment of status. DV visas may not be issued to DV-2023 applicants after that date. Section 203(a) of the INA prescribes preference classes for allotment of Family-sponsored immigrant visas as follows: First:(F1)Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens: 23,400 plus any numbers not required for fourth preference. The final action date for an oversubscribed category is the priority date of the first applicant who could not be reached within the numerical limits. A. If not all demand could be satisfied, the category or foreign state in which demand was excessive was deemed oversubscribed. (F2A) Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents: 77% of the overall second preference limitation, of which 75% are exempt from the per-country limit; B. Fourth: (F4) Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens: 65,000, plus any numbers not required by first three preferences. DATES FOR FILING OF EMPLOYMENT-BASEDVISAAPPLICATIONS. Second: Spouses and Children, and Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents: 114,200, plus the number (if any) by which the worldwide family preference level exceeds 226,000, plus any unused first preference numbers: A. Date of Filing Application - Feb 15, 2012. Numbers could be exhausted prior to September 30. DV visa availability through the very end of FY-2023 cannot be taken for granted. B.DIVERSITYIMMIGRANT(DV)CATEGORY FOR THE MONTHOF SEPTEMBER. The listing of a date for any category indicates that only applicants with a priority date which is earlier than the listed date may file their application. Consular officers are required to report to the Department of State documentarily qualified applicants for numerically limited visas; USCIS reports applicants for adjustment of status. U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE BUREAU of CONSULAR AFFAIRS. E. DETERMINATION OF THE NUMERICAL LIMITS ON IMMIGRANTS REQUIRED UNDER THETERMS OF THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT (INA). Applicants for immigrant visas who have a priority date earlier than the application date in the chart may assemble and submit required documents to the Department of States National Visa Center, following receipt of notification from the National Visa Center containing detailed instructions.